The Episcopal Church

What is The Episcopal Church?

As explained by our Presiding Bishop, “We are the Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement.”

The Episcopal Church is God’s People gathered together in prayer, fellowship and service.

The Episcopal Church is part of Christ’s “One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

Let’s look first at the name: Episcopal means “governed by bishops.” When one reads the Bible, one reads that the early church instituted a system of leadership consisting of: regional leaders raised up by the local congregations and confirmed by other bishops (bishops); local leaders appointed and ordained by the bishops (priests); and, those who undertake local ministries of service (deacons). In the original Greek these were called: “episkopos", “presbyteros", and “deakanos". This bible-based system of transferring leadership from one bishop to another is called “apostolic succession” and ensures that each generation of church leadership reflects the vision and faith understanding held throughout the millennia.  

The Christian Faith came early to the British Isles with Saint Augustine. He thus established the “Church in England.” In these early years up through the Middle Ages, each region reflected some of the unique traditions and cultural ways of that region. As was the case with all Christians in the West (Europe and North Africa) the senior spiritual leader was the Bishop of Rome, later called “The Pope.” Yet, each region or kingdom or nation was allowed a certain amount of unique character and governance.  

In the 1500 increased education and communication began to create echoes of dissent across the known world and the Church and its governance and theology (beliefs) came under increasing scrutiny and criticism.  In much of Northern Europe the reformer Martin Luther called for change and when change was not forthcoming, many northern dioceses and bishops severed their ties to Rome. This was the beginning of the Reformation. Although governance changed, much of the theology and worship/liturgy remained constant.  In England, this split from Roman authority came to a head under King Henry VIII in the matter of his request for a marriage annulment. With his severing of ties to Rome, he shifted the “Church in England” to the “Church of England.”  Again, governance changed (became “protestant”), but most theology and worship/liturgy remained constant (remained “catholic”).

With the discovery of the New World and the founding of the American Colonies, British explorers and settlers brought their Faith with them and for a brief period there was “The Church of England in the American Colonies.” With Independence, the church name was changed to The Episcopal Church to disassociate from the former colonial ruler and better reflect the nature of the church.  Likewise, as British traders and explorers and settlers fanned out across the British Empire to the far corners of the world, their style and tradition of worship went with them, thus creating what would become the worldwide Anglican Communion (‘Anglican” is an old form of the word “English”).

Sadly, over the years, the American spirit of “self-sufficiency” and “independence” permeated the religious sector and many faithful were pulled away into groups and sects in which the style of governance (local), community, and independence became more important than adherence to historic church structure or beliefs/theology. Thankfully, movement is afoot to again seek unity as “One Church”. The Episcopal Church is in full concordat (agreement) with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America  (ELCA) and is in serious unity negotiations and prayerful deliberations with several other groups.  

The Episcopal Church had always seen itself as a “via media” - a link between the two movements of “catholic” and “protestant” adhering to the best biblical and traditional theology while accepting the value of a more democratic leadership responsive to local needs. The Episcopal Church has always seen itself as “a large tent” welcoming all Christians. Thus, our ranks include a dynamic and faith-filled variety of peoples, styles, visions and ideas. Yes, we seek to be a church for “all God’s people” and feel ourselves greatly blessed by our loving God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

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