Our Beliefs

Our belief is to connect with people and lead them into authentic and growing relationship with Jesus Christ by creating environments where people are equipped and encouraged to point up, point in, and point out.

The Episcopal Church is both a ‘catholic’ and a ‘reformed’ Christian church, having emerged in America from the traditions of the Church of England following the American Revolutionary War in the late 18th century.  We share many elements of the catholic tradition which are found especially in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. We are also reformed in that we embrace many of the protestant understandings of the Christian faith like those of many Lutheran and Methodist churches. The Episcopal Church is also referred to as theVia Media, or the middle way between Catholic and Protestant traditions, holding elements from both to enrich and nourish our faith.

The following areas of our church life are general descriptions of how we engage our faith and understanding in the church:

• 1. The Bible as the inspired Word of God is central in our belief and understanding of Christian faith and life.
• 2. The ancient Nicene and Apostles’ creeds are sufficient summary statements of our teaching and beliefs.
• 3. The sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist (communion) are central in our worship as faithful expressions of Christ’s grace-filled gifts to the world.
• 4. The place of Bishops as our primary source of church leadership in the historic succession dating from the time of the Apostles. Bishops who are elected, and elected lay leadership provide direction and accountability within our national, regional and local church bodies.
• 5. The use of the Book of Common Prayer to model and form our liturgy and worship as we incorporate the richness of our Christian faith and heritage.