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On Being Episcopalian

Here are some reasons why many people have chosen the Episcopal Church:

Our worship is not passive. We worship God as a community that is gathered both physically and in prayer. Our worship is a liturgy, which means literally that it is the work of the people. Because we believe human beings are whole persons, we worship with our minds, hearts, and bodies - hence the postures of sitting, kneeling and standing.

Our theology demands our intelligence rather than our submission. God gives us minds to think. Our theology is always informed by listening to Scriptures, to tradition, and to reason. We are called to be Christians in our own time and people who are attentive to the Word of God as it is given in the present context.

We nurture a strong sense of community which embraces a willingness not only to tolerate but to celebrate differences. The worldwide Anglican (Episcopal) Communion encompasses a multitude of ethnic and cultural traditions. Our unity is Christ, not a conformity of opinion.

We hold to a heritage that takes the Bible seriously but is not bound by literalism. The Bible is a collection of books written over many centuries which must be seen in their historical, literary, and cultural context. The Bible is taken as the Word of God; it speaks with a rich, complex, and varied tone. To pull verses out of the comprehensive context of the Scriptural canon is to do the texts disservice.

We are devoted to the Biblical sacraments instituted by Jesus, which evoke awe and mystery. We believe that God is at work in the sacraments, Baptism, and Holy Communion being primary. Our worship has a ceremonial, formal and aesthetic quality that contributes to the sense of the presence of God.

We believe that all persons have a role in ministry. Ministry is rightfully the obligation and privilege of every baptized person. We are all ministers, not just the clergy. The Church declares that every person has a ministry in his or her vocation. It is the role of the Church to prepare persons spiritually for these tasks.