On Being Episcopalian
26/03/06
We Episcopalians believe pretty much whatever we want; our Church has a long history of supporting matters of individual faith & belief. But, as a community, why are we Episcopalians? Do we differ from other Christian denominations? How are we the same? As a community, what do and don't we believe? Why do we believe? How do we believe? There is a guide; we can read how the bishops, the clergy and the laity of the Episcopal Church originally answered these questions. Right there in front of you in The Book of Common Prayer, on page 867, you'll find the Episcopal Church's Articles of Religion; the basis, or basics, of our communal belief system.
Both ambiguous enough to have provided plenty of discussion for theologians and compelling enough to have grounded the faith of millions; you can think of The Articles as the glue that binds we individuals together into our church community. Society may have changed over the past 200 years, but give yourself a refresher and give them a read, it may perhaps put into words why we as individuals have chosen to attend or be members of the Episcopal Church.
Quick history lesson: The Articles of Religion of the Church of England were originally presented by Thomas Cranmer (Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 1556), who wanted to encompass as wide a spectrum of Christians as possible. Over the centuries, the Articles have been praised as a moderate, winsome, biblical, and inclusive statement of Reformation theology.
Both ambiguous enough to have provided plenty of discussion for theologians and compelling enough to have grounded the faith of millions; you can think of The Articles as the glue that binds we individuals together into our church community. Society may have changed over the past 200 years, but give yourself a refresher and give them a read, it may perhaps put into words why we as individuals have chosen to attend or be members of the Episcopal Church.
Quick history lesson: The Articles of Religion of the Church of England were originally presented by Thomas Cranmer (Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 1556), who wanted to encompass as wide a spectrum of Christians as possible. Over the centuries, the Articles have been praised as a moderate, winsome, biblical, and inclusive statement of Reformation theology.