What Episcopalians Believe
The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and traces its roots to the earliest centuries of Christianity. While Episcopalians come from many backgrounds and perspectives, we are united by our worship, our faith in Jesus Christ, and our commitment to following God's call in the world. We seek to know God through Scripture, tradition, reason, prayer, and life together in community.
Our Core Beliefs
We Believe in the Triune God
We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We affirm the historic Christian faith expressed in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Through Jesus Christ, God reveals His love for the world and invites all people into a life of grace, hope, and purpose.
We Follow Jesus Christ
At the center of our faith is Jesus Christ. Through his life, death, and resurrection, we encounter God's redeeming love and are called to love God and our neighbors. We strive to follow Jesus not only in worship, but also in our daily lives.
We Trust the Holy Scriptures
The Bible is foundational to our faith and contains all things necessary for salvation. Episcopalians read, study, pray with, and wrestle with Scripture as we seek to hear God's voice and understand God's will.
We Seek God's Truth Through Scripture, Tradition, and Reason
Anglicans have long understood faith through the interplay of Scripture, tradition, and reason.
- Scripture grounds us in God's revelation.
- Tradition connects us to the wisdom and experience of Christians through the centuries.
- Reason invites us to engage our minds, ask questions, learn, and discern faithfully.
Together, these help us grow in faith and respond to the challenges of every age.
We Gather Around Word and Sacrament
Worship is at the heart of Episcopal life. Through common prayer, the reading of Scripture, and celebration of the sacraments, we encounter God and are formed as Christ's people.
The two primary sacraments given by Christ are:
- Holy Baptism, through which we are welcomed into the Body of Christ.
- Holy Eucharist (Communion), where we gather at Christ's table to receive spiritual nourishment and grace.
Our Values
We Respect the Dignity of Every Person
Because every human being is created in God's image, we believe every person has inherent worth and dignity. We welcome people of all backgrounds and experiences and strive to build a community rooted in compassion, respect, and belonging. We seek to follow Christ by loving our neighbors, serving those in need, and working for a more just and hopeful world.
We Value Questions and Lifelong Learning
The Episcopal tradition encourages thoughtful faith. We believe questions are not the opposite of faith but often a pathway to deeper faith. We welcome conversation, study, and spiritual exploration.
We Seek Unity Without Demanding Uniformity
Episcopalians worship together despite differing perspectives on many issues. We believe that Christians can disagree thoughtfully and faithfully while remaining committed to Christ and one another. This spirit of generosity and humility is part of our Anglican heritage.
We Are Committed to Justice and Compassion
Following Jesus calls us to serve our neighbors, care for the vulnerable, work for reconciliation, and seek justice in our communities and the wider world. Faith is expressed not only in what we believe, but in how we live.
We Value Community
Christian faith is lived in relationship. We gather in worship, prayer, fellowship, and service, supporting one another in times of joy and hardship and growing together as disciples of Christ.
We Believe God Is Still at Work
God continues to call, guide, and transform people today. Through prayer, worship, service, and discernment, we seek to participate in God's mission of healing and renewal in the world.