The Episcopal Church strives to live by the message of Christ, in which there are no outcasts and all are welcome. Walking a middle way between Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, we are a sacramental and worship-oriented church that promotes thoughtful debate about what God is calling us to do and be, as followers of Christ. The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and is in full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church in North America. The best way to learn about the Episcopal Church is to become a part of it. Come and grow!
Scripture, tradition, reason
The Anglican approach to reading and interpreting the Bible was first articulated by Richard Hooker in the 16th Century. While Christians universally acknowledge the Bible (or the Holy Scriptures) as the Word of God and completely sufficient to reconcile us to God, what the Bible says must always speak to us in our own time and place. It does not contain all truth, but it does contain “all that is necessary for our salvation.”
The Church—as a worshiping body of faithful people for more than two thousand years—has amassed a wealth of experience of knowing God, loving Jesus, and living by the Spirit. What they have communicated to us through the centuries about God and God's Word is critical to our spiritual understanding here and now. The traditions of the Church in interpreting Scripture give us a starting point for our own understanding, and connect us with all the generations of believers who came before us.
Episcopalians believe that every Christian’s relationship with God and understanding of God’s Word must be built using our God-given intelligence, along with our own experience. The combination of these two is what we refer to as reason. Based on the text of the Bible itself, and what Christians have taught us about it through the ages, we must sort out our own understanding of it as it relates to our own lives and times.
Where do you fit in?
Do you come from a protestant or Roman Catholic background and wonder where you fit in? Want to be spiritual, but not necessarily religious? Do you have other specific questions? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Has it been awhile?
Has it been awhile since you've been to church? Are you having trouble getting past the excuses? Nancy Scott has been there and shares her experience with you.
*Reprinted in whole or part with permission from Forward Movement © 2009