Sunday, September 18, 2005

What is an Episcopalian?

January 12, 2014



WHAT IS AN EPISCOPALIAN?

Episcopalian. It’s a funny word, isn’t it? It comes from the Greek word for bishop: episkopos. An Episcopalian is someone who chooses to worship in the Episcopal Church, which is governed and pastored by bishops.

Our Episcopal Identity is complex historically, socially and even personally. Our diversity does not lend itself to easy "bumper sticker" descriptions.  We are subject to many Episcopal STEREOTYPES, which regular Episcopalians can cite, almost as easily a newcomers do!  

Back in Virginia Seminary, we learned a little ditty, sung to the tune of "God Bless America":

"I am an Anglican, One step from Rome
Not a Methodist, Not a Presby,
Not a Baptist, white with foam
I am an Anglican, One step from Rome."

...which suggests more about what we are not than what we are!

Famous comedian and Episcopalian, Robin Williams took a humorous turn in his
Top 10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian
(by Robin Williams, an Episcopalian)
10. No snake handling.
9. You can believe in dinosaurs.
8. Male and female God created them; male and female we ordain them.
7. You don’t have to check your brains at the door.
6. Pew aerobics.
5. Church year is color-coded.
4. Free wine on Sunday.
3. All of the pageantry – none of the guilt.
2. You don’t have to know how to swim to get baptized.
And the Number One reason to be an Episcopalian:
1. No matter what you believe, there’s bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.

Robin captures some of the ways we see ourselves, as well as how others see us, using some catchy catch phrases, that still do not capture more than our somewhat curious, contemporary  and lighthearted image. But if an Episcopalian is someone who has more than an "image," one must go deeper into church history see our "roots" lest we be be judged simply by our "fruits!"

The Episcopal Church itself has taken a stab at declaring its own "unfrozen chosen" identity in an ads which challenge some stereotypes:





 In more thoughtful and comprehensive way, the Episcopal Church placed this ad  in the New York Times:




Our Presiding Bishop was asked recently asked to respond to the question:


The "roots" of our way of life, can be found in ancient, as well as contemporary expressions of Christianity. Some have described us as "Orthodox but Open." Others have used the description "Freedom in Tradition." Both point to a church that has sought a balance of both freedom and tradition in Christ.  One of the most historic and essential descriptions of that holy balance was offered to us by Anglican Divine Richard Hooker, in the "three legged (sometimes four)  stool" of Anglican Authority:



1 comment:

  1. I'm not a Liberal Christian nor am I a conservative one. I wanted a to attend a Church where Jesus was revered. When I came to the church, I felt the Holy Spirt move through me during Eucharist and the priest give a great message. I also love the liturgy

    ReplyDelete