What do Episcopalians believe?

The second in an occasional series about The Church of the Good Shepherd and our denomination, The Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church uses the Apostles’ Creed or Nicene Creed at most worship services—these are statements of faith written in the 2nd and 3rd centuries of the Common Era (C.E.) that are affirmed by most Christian denominations.  Yet Episcopalians are known for their questioning of creeds—many of us are more concerned with how we are living and making God’s love known through our actions and attitudes.

 Our guides for faithful living are Scripture, reason, and tradition--more about those another time!  What defines us most as a church is our use of The Book of Common Prayer, which gives us a pattern for worship and daily life.  The Book of Common Prayer includes a catechism which presents  some of the church’s beliefs and practices—here are some highlights which give a sense of who we are as Episcopalians.

 We believe in a loving God—Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer—who created the universe, called it good, and who continues to create, sustain, and direct everything that is.

 We believe humans are part of God’s creation, made in the image of God:  free to make choices, to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God. 

 We know all too well that humans can sin.  We make bad choices, ignoring God’s will, not loving God, or our neighbor, or God’s creation, or ourselves.

 Jesus showed us that sinful humans can be forgiven, and can find grace to try again to receive and share God’s love. 

 We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who shows us the nature of God’s love, who through his life, death, and resurrection reconciles humans to God, and who offers God’s mercy and grace to all, especially the lost or vulnerable or afraid.

 In baptism we promise to follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, putting our whole trust in his grace and love.

 We believe in the Holy Spirit, God at work in the world and in the Church, known in sacraments, worship, Scripture, experience, who leads us into all truth, enables us to grow in the likeness of Christ, and brings us into love and harmony with God, ourselves, our neighbors, and all creation. 

 We believe the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.  We do that through worship and through sharing God’s justice, peace, and love as freely, generously, and faithfully as we can. 

If this sounds interesting, come to church!  Sunday worship is at 8 and 10am, and we have an informal Eucharist (Lord's supper, communion) and Bible study Wednesdays at noon.