1. Where does the Episcopal church come from?

This Episcopal Church is part of that one Church brought into being by the life-death-resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Our mother Church, the Church of England, has been in existence since the early centuries of the Christian era. The English Church deliberately planted its life in the new world (1607) before the coming of the Pilgrims. After the Revolutionary War, "The Church of England in the Colonies" simply changed its name and structure to become The Episcopal Church in the United States of America (1789), an independent and autonomous branch of that one Church founded by Christ.

2. What does the word 'Episcopal" mean?

The word simply means "having bishops". The Chief Minister or Chief Shepherd or Chief Pastor in the Church is the Bishop. The Apostles were the first "bishops" of the Church. The basic leadership and government of the Episcopal Church involves bishops.

3. How large is the Episcopal church?

The Episcopal Church is part of a world-wide family of Episcopal churches (known as the Anglican Communion) which number over 30 million persons. In the United States the Episcopal Church has approximately 3 1/2 million baptized members. The Episcopal Church is known by many different names throughout the world. For example, in Canada we are known as The Anglican Church of Canada; in Japan as The Holy Catholic Church of Japan.

4. Is the local congregation the basic unit of the church?

No. The basic unit of the Episcopal Church is the Diocese, a specific geo­graphical area (sometimes following state boundaries) in which there are a number of congregations under the leadership of a bishop. The local church of congregation never exists as a unit by itself. It is always a part of a family of congregations known as the diocese.

5. What is the ministry of the Episcopal church?

There are 4 orders of ministers in the Church. (1) The first and most im­portant order is the laity. Every baptized person is a minister with a ministry to fulfill. In addition to the 99%, there are special ministerial orders: (2) Bishops, (3) Priests, (4) Deacons.

6. How old is this ordained ministry?

The three-fold ministry of Bishops-Priests-Deacons goes back to the days of the apostles themselves and is spoken of in the New Testament.

7. Do bishops alone govern the church?

Not at all. The Church is governed, its services ordered, and its work in the world is organized on a constitutional and democratic basis. The Bishops, clergy, and lay people are all involved at every level. In fact, every major decision or step must be approved by the bishops, clergy, and laity. No one order can force its ideas or will on the remainder of the Church.

8. Does the Episcopal church accept the baptism of other churches?

Yes, of course. In baptism, one becomes a member of the Church, the Body of Christ, the Christian Fellowship or Community. Our baptism does not make us Episcopalians, Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc. but something far more important: We become Christians.

9. Who may receive communion in the Episcopal church?

If you are a baptized Christian and believes that Christ is truly present in the blessed bread and wine, as this Church teaches, you are invited to participate.

10. What is "confirmation" in the Episcopal church?

Confirmation is the act through which a baptized person may (1) renew hi~/her baptismal promises, (2) re-dedicate himself/herself to Christ's mission in the world, and (3) receive the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit for this new life. It is also the means through which other Christians come to share our way of life in the Episcopal Church. It has nothing to do with membership. Baptism makes us full members of the Christian Church.

11. What is the role of the layman/laywoman in the church?.

Every baptized person is a minister with a ministry to fulfill. Laymen and women are expected and urged to be actively involved in the worship, government, teaching, decision-making process, stewardship, outreach, etc. etc. of the Church.

12. Is the Episcopal church a biblical church?

Very definitely. The use of the Bible is an important and prominent part of our worship. There are never less than two readings from Holy Scripture. In addition, the prayers, responses, preaching, hymns are related to the words and thoughts of Scripture. Every minister, prior to his ordination, takes an oath that he will not teach or require as necessary to salvation anything that cannot be based on Scripture. We take the Bible seriously, share its teachings, and urge our people to read and study the Scriptures. Our Prayer Book is 75% Holy Scripture.

13. What is the principal act of worship?

Like the apostles and early Christians, we meet weekly for the singing of hymns, the offering of prayers, and the breaking of bread. This "breaking of bread" is one of the biblical names for the Holy Communion., the Eucharist, The Lord's Supper. This activity is central to our life, not because the Episcopal Church says so, but because it is the fulfillment of Jesus' command "DO THIS" and has been done regularly and consistently by the Christian Church since the days of the apostles. Our architecture reflects this. The altar (actually a table) is always central and dominant. The focus is on the activity of eating together.

14. What does the Episcopal church believe?

The basic beliefs are contained in the great and ancient creeds of the undivided Christian Church: We believe and teach what is contained in the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed. Both are consistent with Holy Scripture. The Outline of Faith in the Prayer Book (p.845) sets forth our belief through a series of questions and answers.

15. Is the Episcopal church a teaching church?

Yes, very definitely. By the written and spoken word and by example we are always teaching, always trying for a better hearing, a better response to the Christian Gospel. Sound learning and good scholarship can be seen in the training of our clergy and the educational programs of the parish. In a search for truth, the Episcopal Church encourages curiosity, disagreement, and imagination.

16. What is the role of the priest as pastor?

The priest in a congregation represents the Chief Pastor, the Bishop, in worship, teaching, administration, etc. So his primary role is that of pastor. He is available in the office or home for counseling. He calls on the sick in the hospital and in homes when this information is shared with him. He wants to share in those moments of joy (birth of a child, anniversary, some good news, good fortune, etc.) as well as those moments of sadness (death, loss of a job, some crisis, etc.). He is trained to minister to people and is available when needed. His is a ministry of caring, representing always the LOVING-CARING LORD. He wants to be called on, and to be used by his people.

17. What is the Episcopal church's relationship to other churches?

One of respect and cooperation. There is a great need for Christian bodies to work together (instead of thinking of one another as competitors) for a stronger, and more effective witness to the world.

18. Is Episcopal worship formal?

It depends on what one means by formal. Our worship is designed to provide maximum opportunity for participation. It is not a "spectator sport" or a passive experience. By intention, it is something altogether joyful. It may appear formal until you are familiar and comfortable with it and can freely participate.

19. What do Episcopalians believe about giving?

We believe that God has given us all that we have. All has been loaned to us for our use and enjoyment. We are asked to be responsible managers, stewards of our time, skills, and money. Out of sheer gratitude, we return to Him some portion of what He has given us, that His work in the world may continue and be effective.

20. Generally speaking, what does the Episcopal church have to offer?

It offers a religious experience which involves the whole person and the whole life, not just areas we label "religious". It offers an experience which is sense-making, positive, liberating, and above all, joyful.