Our Beliefs

We are an inclusive, vibrant church that offers a modern expression of ancient Christian traditions. Anglicanism blends the best of both catholic and protestant traditions, while remaining open to new directions from the Holy Spirit.

Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that God loves us all – no exceptions.

The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer (BCP) includes an Outline of the Faith (a Catechism) describing our beliefs.

At Christ Episcopal Church we are committed to the Episcopal Church's position on Inclusion. We are an open and affirming parish. You can learn more here: LGBTQ+ – The Episcopal Church

Episcopal Background

The Church of England established their own denomination separate from the church in Rome in 1534 but retained most of their traditional beliefs and practices. They are known as Anglicans. In 1776 the Anglicans living in the United States established the Episcopal Church which is independent from the Church of England. The Episcopal Church remains a part of the world-wide Anglican Communion while retaining our own leadership.

The Episcopal Church and Anglicans around the world have:

Weekly Sunday worship with holy communion.
Our lay leaders are involved in many ways.
We have deacons and priests
We have Episcopal monks and nuns
Our bishops are in an unbroken line of succession from St. Peter
We observe the two biblical sacraments of baptism, holy communion
We have five other sacramental acts. (confirmation, anointing, ordination, marriage and reconciliation)

The history of Christ Episcopal Church is in our history section.

Protestant Roots

Episcopal Background

Theologically, Anglican beliefs take a middle position between Protestantism and Catholicism and reflect a balance of Scripture, tradition, and reason. The Anglican tradition was born out of compromise as we sought to find a via media – or middle way — between the church in Rome and the Protestant Reformation.

Anglicans separated from Rome during the English Reformation, however, we have incorporated the best of protestant beliefs, including:

Emphasizing a direct relationship between God and the believer;
Worshiping and reading the bible in the language of the people;
Sharing church governance between the people and the clergy;
We allow bishops, priests and deacons to marry or be single, as God calls them;
Deriving authority from a balance of
1. The Bible,
2. faith traditions, and
3. human reason guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Modern Church

Spiritual Formation

The Episcopal Church today allows:

Remarriage of divorced people in the church;
LGBTQ equality;
Ordination and the offices of bishop, priest, and deacon are open to all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
Any baptized person may receive communion, including children.

Spiritual Formation

We put a strong emphasis on spiritual formation, so each person can

Discover his/her/their gifts and offer them to God in service;
Become closer to God through prayer and worship.

Our Beliefs

Episcopal Background

Episcopal Background

Episcopal Background

Protestant Roots

Episcopal Background

Episcopal Background

The Modern Church

Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation

Spiritual Formation

Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal CHurch

Episcopal Diocese of Ohio Bishop

Resources