The Episcopal Church Welcomes You

A comprehensive, easy-to-understand primer to the Episcopal faith for new members, inquirers, and Church members who are unfamiliar with its history, beliefs, and practices. Written in accessible language and in a conversational tone, this introduction to the Episcopal Church is the ideal resource for adult parish study, newcomers, and others interested individuals. From an Episcopal perspective, the author explores the Church’s history, worship, beliefs, spiritual life, organization of the church, mission and outreach, and the way followers read and understand the Bible. Study questions accompany each chapter. "Welcome to the Episcopal Church makes clear that the worship of God is the most important thing that can be said about us, and that worship is the source for everything else in our life together--our commitment to justice for all people, our mission to those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and how we should live out our lives in this very complex world.”—from the Foreword, The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Presiding Bishop and Primate

This insightful, all-encompassing chronicle spanning 400 years traces the fascinating rise of the Episcopal Church, founded in an age of fragmentation and molded by the powerful movements of American history: the Great Awakening; the American Revolution; the Civil War; two World Wars and the Depression; and the social upheavals of the post World War II years. This revised edition of the now-classic text on the Episcopal Church brings the story up-to-date with a new chapter on the 1990’s. This new chapter pays special attention to the Church’s renewal efforts, Presiding Bishop Browning’s time in office, the issue of homosexuality, changing leadership dynamics, liturgical change, and Lambeth 1998.

Easy to read; short book on a key topic for seekers. In an age where people increasingly spend their weekends anywhere but in a place of worship, it is important to ask why anyone should go to church. In Why Go to Church? Robertson addresses the top reasons for not attending and goes further to explore how church participation can enhance one’s life on so many levels. Essential reading for those who have thought about going to church, are thinking about going back to church, and even those who go to church regularly but want to attain a deeper worship experience.

In an era where churches in America are in decline, this book offers a clear path and hope for the future. using the Episcopal Church as an example of a Mainline Protestant Domination that has faced a half century of steep decline, the author shows where the church has gone astray, what has contributed to the continued losses, a strong critique of the leadership as well as a way for the people to take back their church and grow it. This book is a must have for anyone who truly cares about the future of American Protestant Churches especially the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches, who all face the exact same fate. Delving into how to compete for peoples attention in the modern age, how to modernize your parish, reach out to those who have left and attract new members, this is a "how to" for congregational growth. This compelling narrative tackles the modern day issues that divide our country: conservative vs liberal, race issues, sexuality and other third rail controversies that have torn apart the church. Most importantly the book offers real solutions for how the church should deal with them so as to be a big tent for all people. In addition to the "how to" nature of this book, the author travels to and examines many parishes in the Episcopal Church from the largest in the denomination, St. Martin's Houston, home of the Bush family to St. Bart's on Park Ave in New York City. With interviews ranging from Fox News personality Tucker Carlson to Telemundo's Fr. Alberto Cutie of Florida, this book examines all angles. Brutally honest, insightful and reflective, this book will be a quick read and easy to implement in your own parish. Nothing coming from the leadership of any of these denominations has worked, so if you care about the future of Mainline Protestants and especially The Episcopal Church, then this is for you! Caswell Cooke is not a priest or minister, never went to seminary and holds no theological degrees. This is a grass roots way to make a difference and get results. The future might just be a little brighter with The Death and Resurrection of The Episcopal Church: How to Save a Church in Decline.