What are Episcopalians?
Both historically and today, we're a distinctive bunch.
Good Shepherd is an Episcopal congregation, part of a broader denomination, the Episcopal Church. Episcopalians are, first and foremost, Christians: followers of Jesus Christ, just like Roman Catholics, Baptists, Orthodox Christians, Methodists, Pentecostals, and thousands of other denominations the world over.
But what makes us distinctive? For one thing, we value togetherness in worship more than agreement about the finer details of doctrine. We worship with our whole bodies as we stand, kneel, sing, and pray—and the ways we worship keep reminding us what we believe.
Our church has its historical roots in the Church of England, which broke away from the authority of the Pope in the sixteenth century. Today we are an independent church of about 1.8 million people with members in the United States and a number of other countries. We maintain strong ties with “Anglicans” all over the world, with whom we share similar practices and beliefs.
Episcopalians understand that in becoming a human being, God blessed all created things and honored them. We are not merely spirits trapped in bodies; our bodies are a part of who we are, so our bodies are good and holy as well. Likewise, God’s love for everything God has made compels us to take care of the created order, including the environment that we humans continue to abuse. The Episcopal Church is committed to doing our part to renew God’s creation.
Episcopalians are also ...
1
Tellers of stories.
We wrestle with the ancient texts of the Bible and expect God to speak to us through them. We are not literalists; we value constant growth in understanding and context. Our own lives intersect with God’s story, and sharing our stories with one another reveals the many ways God is present and active in our lives.
2
Evolving traditionalists.
The structure of our worship has stood the test of time, but we don’t remain stuck in old assumptions that have become unhelpful or are just plain incorrect. In our worship, you can expect to find care, beauty, and holiness to support you, regardless of how you happen to feel on any particular day.
3
Students of wisdom.
We continue to learn all our lives how to walk in Jesus’ Way of Love. We continue to teach and share practices that help us apprentice ourselves to Jesus. Weekly worship is the centerpiece of this process, from which flows everything else the church does.
4
Seekers of justice.
Through our love for God and one another, we welcome God’s ultimate dream of beloved community. Our faith informs our engagement in society as we try to make the world look more like what we believe God's dreams for us to be.