The Episcopal Church
Activities
Foreign missionary work, which in obedience to the direct command of Christ has always been an obligation of the whole church,
began in the Episcopal Church about 1835, and missionary bishops, clergy, lay men and women, doctors, and teachers have worked
in many countries, building up churches to be left eventually to the supervision of indigenous clergy and teachers.
The Episcopal Church's missionary work at home and abroad and its national social service and religious education are
organized as departments of an executive council with headquarters at the Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New
York, NY 10017. The executive council, with the presiding bishop as its head, is elected at the triennial meeting of the General
Convention, and has charge of the unification, development, and promotion of the missionary, educational, and social work
of the church between meetings of the General Convention.
Faith and Practice
The Episcopal Church is both catholic and prot-estant; it is also both conservative and liberal. The Book of Common Prayer,
"the greatest book in English excepting only the Bible," guides worship people hold informal services in church
and parish house and home.
In its teaching, the Episcopal Church trusts the guiding wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
It does not say to its children, "You must conform," but rather, "For the sake of your richest and fullest
development, you will wish to be guided by the church's wisdom." It also provides supernatural strength and life
through the sacraments to help in that obedience.
Believing that the Christian life should nei¬ther neglect
nor over-emphasize any one aspect of Christian teaching, the Episcopal Church, through the Prayer Book, observes the Christian
year, calling attention in turn to each of the great events of our Lord's life and to his teachings. It is a Bible-reading
church. In its most frequently used services three scripture portions are read. Much of the Prayer Book is drawn directly
from scripture.
Believing that the assured results of true scholarship can never run counter to true religion,
the Episcopal Church welcomes every honest endeavor of science and learning.
The source and the meaning of all
beauty are in Jesus Christ himself. The church therefore welcomes every art and makes its services as beautiful as possible
to honor his glory.
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