The Episcopal Church is a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It traces its heritage back to the Church of England and maintains much of the liturgical and theological traditions of Anglicanism. Here is an overview of some of the key beliefs and practices of the Episcopal Church:
Church Governance
The Episcopal Church has an episcopal form of church governance, which means it is overseen by bishops. At the national level, the church is governed by the General Convention, which is composed of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The House of Bishops includes all active and retired bishops, while the House of Deputies is made up of clergy and lay delegates from each diocese.
Scripture
Episcopalians uphold the authority of the Bible as the revealed Word of God. They view scripture as containing all things necessary for salvation and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith (Articles of Religion VI). The Bible is central to worship services, with multiple passages read during every liturgy.
Creeds and Councils
In addition to the Bible, Episcopalians also look to the historic creeds (Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed) and the Ecumenical Councils in forming doctrine. The creeds affirm core Christian beliefs like the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. The councils provide theological clarity on issues like the natures of Christ and the canon of scripture.
Sacraments
The Episcopal Church recognizes seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist (Lord’s Supper), Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination, Confession/Reconciliation, and Unction (anointing the sick). The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is central to worship services and Episcopal spirituality. Episcopalians practice open communion, meaning all who are baptized are invited to receive. The other sacraments are also viewed as outward and visible signs of inward spiritual grace (Catechism BCP 857).
Liturgy
Episcopal worship follows the Book of Common Prayer, which outlines services and prayers for occasions like the Eucharist, Daily Offices (Morning/Evening Prayer), baptisms, weddings, funerals and more. The language used is formal, historically-rooted English. The liturgy reflects Episcopalian emphasis on tradition and connecting with historical Christianity.
Salvation
Episcopalians believe human beings are saved by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Good works and moral living have their place, but cannot earn salvation apart from Christ (Articles XI-XIV). At the same time, good works are considered the fruit of true faith. The church calls upon members to serve others, pursue justice and respect the dignity of every human being.
Baptism
Baptism is considered the entrance rite into the church. It symbolizes dying to sin, new birth in Christ, and adoption into God’s family. Episcopalians baptize both infants and adults using water and the Trinitarian formula. Baptism is considered necessary for salvation, and conveys regeneration and remission of sins (Catechism BCP 858). Unbaptized believers are typically baptized before they can receive Holy Communion.
History/Roots
The Episcopal Church’s historic roots go back to the Church of England. After the American Revolution, parishes that had formerly been under the Church of England organized to form an independent church. In 1789 the Episcopal Church held its first General Convention and adopted its basic governing structure. Early Episcopalians like Samuel Seabury and Alexander Viets Griswold helped shape the church and its liturgy. Many early colleges and universities in America like Harvard, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania were founded by Episcopal clergy.
Global Reach/Membership
Today, the Episcopal Church has approximately 1.7 million members in over 6,000 congregations in the U.S. It also includes over 600,000 members in other countries, making it part of a worldwide Anglican Communion of around 85 million members. Prominent members of the Episcopal church have included U.S. presidents (George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt), scientists (Charles Darwin), and many other leaders and thinkers.
Worship and Liturgy
Episcopal worship services are structured and liturgical in nature, following the order outlined in the Book of Common Prayer. Services are focused on Bible readings, prayer, and celebration of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Music also plays a significant role. Elements are majestic, dignified, and somewhat formal. The liturgy connects worshipers to the historic, worldwide church.
Beliefs
Some of the key beliefs of the Episcopal Church include:
- The Old and New Testament as the revealed Word of God
- Salvation through grace, by faith in Christ alone
- Baptismal regeneration and the real spiritual presence of Christ in the Eucharist
- The Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds as foundational statements of faith
- The sacraments as outward and visible signs of inward spiritual grace
- The historic episcopate (bishops) as part of the apostolic succession back to Jesus’ original apostles
Anglican Roots
The Episcopal Church shares most of its roots and traditions with the worldwide Anglican Communion. Anglicanism traces its heritage back to various early church traditions and grew into a distinct tradition during the Protestant Reformation period in England. Anglicans maintained the episcopal form of church government (by bishops), as well as a liturgical form of worship.
Comparison to Other Denominations
The Episcopal Church shows similarities to both Protestant and Catholic traditions. Like Protestants, Episcopalians uphold the Bible alone as sufficient for salvation and doctrine. Yet they also maintain a liturgical worship tradition similar to Catholicism. Episcopal church governance with bishops also has more in common with Catholicism than non-episcopal Protestant churches. Overall, the Episcopal Church falls theologically in the middle between Roman Catholicism and Reformation-era Protestantism.
Ongoing Controversies and Debates
There are a number of issues the Episcopal Church has faced division over in recent decades. These include:
- Ordination of women – The Episcopal Church approved women’s ordination in 1976 and now ordains women as deacons, priests, and bishops.
- Homosexuality – The church has wrestled with same-sex marriage and ordination of gay clergy. It permits both but with some congregations dissenting.
- Interpretation of Scripture – Conservatives argue for a more traditional reading while liberals advocate updated interpretations on issues like homosexuality.
- Declining membership – Church attendance has dropped significantly in recent decades.
These issues reflect broader trends but have proven particularly divisive. Several breakaway Anglican groups like the Anglican Church in North America have splintered off over concerns that the Episcopal Church has strayed too far from orthodox Anglicanism.
Church Positions on Social Issues
The Episcopal Church has official positions supporting many socially liberal policies. These include:
- Opposition to capital punishment
- Support for universal healthcare
- Acknowledgement of climate change
- Advocating gun control reform
- Support for rights of homosexuals
- Support for affirmative action and minority rights
- Support for immigration reform
These positions often put the church at odds with conservative Anglican bodies and other Protestant groups. The church sees them as implications of pursuing biblical justice.
Relationship to Anglican Communion
As a member province, the Episcopal Church is loosely connected to the worldwide Anglican Communion through ecclesiastical bonds. While united historically, significant diversity exists today. Many doctrinal and social positions of liberal member churches like the Episcopal Church often conflict with more conservative provinces from Africa and Asia.
This has created pressure around issues ofauthority and recognition. Some Anglican leaders have called for discipline of the Episcopal Church over theological and social differences. In response, the Episcopal Church has resisted outside influence, arguing for ecclesiastical autonomy. The relationship remains intact but strained.
Presiding Bishop
The Presiding Bishop is the head bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church. They serve as the president and chief executive of the church’s Executive Council. The Presiding Bishop is elected by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies to serve a single 9 year term. The current Presiding Bishop is Michael Curry, former bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina. He has held the role since 2015.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Episcopal Church promotes diversity as part of its theological vision. Leadership bodies like the Executive Council and General Convention include mandated representation for women and minorities. Services are conducted in multiple languages like Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole to reach immigrant communities. The church has also been active in racial reconciliation efforts such as the Trail of Souls pilgrimage in remembrance of slavery.
Outreach Ministries
The Episcopal Church carries out extensive outreach and social service ministries aimed at helping those in need and pursuing justice. These include the global Episcopal Relief & Development agency, prison ministries, refugee resettlement programs, homeless assistance, food pantries, soup kitchens, and addiction recovery programs among many others. Congregations are active across a range of community initiatives.
Worship Styles
The predominant style of Episcopal Church worship is traditional and liturgical, following the structures in the Book of Common Prayer. However, there is some diversity across congregations. Some churches offer more contemporary services with updated music and more casual prayers. Others practice a more “high church” style with greater ceremony and ritual. But most services maintain an emphasis on Eucharist, prayer book worship, and historical liturgy.
Prominent Figures
Some notable historic figures in the Episcopal Church include:
- John Henry Hobart – 3rd bishop of New York who did much to expand the frontier presence of the church in the early 1800s.
- Phillips Brooks – influential 19th century Boston priest and author of the Christmas hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”
- Katharine Jefferts Schori – First woman to be elected Presiding Bishop, serving from 2006 to 2015.
- John Henry Hopkins Jr. – Composer of the classic Christmas carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are.”
- Absalom Jones – First African-American priest ordained in the Episcopal Church in 1804.
Membership Trends
Like most mainline Protestant denominations, the Episcopal Church has declined significantly in membership over the last 50 years. Church statistics show a 19% drop in baptized members from 2005 to 2020. This reflects almost a 50% decline since the 1960s highpoint. Reasons include changing demographics and religious affiliations, a liberalizing theology, and scandals around church leadership in areas like sexuality.
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
To help counter membership losses, the Episcopal Church prioritizes ministries focused on youth, teens, college students, and young adults. These include summer camps, mission trips, campus worship groups, young professional fellowships, and liturgies aimed at youth. For example, the church sponsors an annual UN Commission on the Status of Women event to empower young women in advocacy. The goal is to reach rising generations and cultivate future leaders.
Church Schools
Education has long been a priority for the Episcopal Church. It founded and continues to operate over 1,200 schools from K-12 through higher education. Prominent Episcopal colleges and universities include Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Sewanee: The University of the South, and Trinity Washington University. Episcopal schools aim to provide formative academic and spiritual education in the Anglican tradition.
Conference and Retreat Centers
Across the country, Episcopal dioceses sponsor conference and retreat centers designed for spiritual renewal and formation. These offer programs ranging from camps for children to contemplative retreats for adults. Quiet reflection, worship, study, and connection with nature are common themes. Popular sites include the Bishop’s Ranch in California, Shrine Mont in Virginia, and Holy Cross Monastery in New York.
Cathedrals
Like other historic denominations, the Episcopal Church has many prominent cathedrals that serve as bishops’ seats and regional spiritual centers. The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. is the church’s most well-known cathedral, used for state funerals and other major events. Other notable Episcopal cathedrals include St. John the Divine in New York City, Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati, Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, and Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.
Seminaries
The Episcopal Church trains and educates new priests and church leaders at 11 official seminaries across the country. General Theological Seminary in New York City is the oldest and most prestigious. Other prominent seminaries include Virginia Theological Seminary, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. Programs range from 3 year Master of Divinity degrees to more advanced theological study.
Prominent Congregations
Some of the largest and most well-known Episcopal congregations include:
- National Cathedral – Washington D.C.
- Trinity Wall Street – New York City
- Christ Church Cathedral – Houston
- All Saints Church – Pasadena, CA
- St. John’s Church – Lafayette Square, Washington D.C.
- St. Paul’s K Street – Washington D.C.
- St. Philip’s Cathedral – Atlanta
- St. Mark’s Cathedral – Seattle
These prominent churches have significant membership, programs, budgets, facilities, and influence within the denomination and broader society.
Conclusion
In summary, the Episcopal Church is an Anglican body with roots back to the Church of England. It maintains an episcopal structure, liturgical worship, and a theology balanced between Catholicism and Reformation-era Protestantism. The church upholds the Bible and early creeds but also relies heavily on tradition and reason. It faces declining membership but maintains an active presence in ministry and outreach across American society.