Episcopal Identity
Who we are… as Episcopalians is shaped by our roots in the Anglican tradition, which values the sacraments, common prayer, and communal discernment as central to the life of the Church. Our identity is formed less by the rigid doctrines of other denominations and more by shared worship and practice, grounded in a commitment to inclusivity and thoughtful faith. The word “Episcopal” is defined as “of bishops,” meaning we are connected to the wider Church and can use that relationship to worship in community through the common language found in the Book of Common Prayer. This community-mindset is essential in proving the faith that we share is lived together rather than alone.
In Nevada, this Episcopal identity takes on particular meaning within a geographically vast and culturally diverse diocese, where ministry is shaped by frontier realities of distance and resilience. Our communities are often small but deeply relational which allows us to live out Christ’s call to love one another while adapting to modern ways, being hospitable neighbors, and persevering in the face of adversity.
What we do… as Episcopalians is rooted in our commitment to live faithfully together through working, worshiping, and wrestling as one body.
We work together through a shared ministry among lay people, clergy, and bishops, understanding ministry not simply as church programs but as participation in God’s ongoing work in the world. Our ecclesiology (study of the church) is grounded in community and mutual responsibility, and our governance reflects this through deep listening and faithful response in conventions, deanery meetings, and even parish coffee hours, with decisions shaped by prayer and discernment.
We worship together daily, weekly, and uniquely to allow Scripture and prayer to shape our everyday lives. We gather around the Word and Sacrament as the central act of communal worship and utilize the Daily office as a tool to become closer to God. What makes Episcopal worship distinctive is our shared use of the Book of Common Prayer, first written in the sixteenth century by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. It offers worship in a common language that emphasizes the participation of every person and remains consistent no matter which Episcopal church one attends. The familiarity it fosters brings a deep sense of peace.
We also wrestle together by engaging Scripture seriously and thoughtfully, holding our faith in conversation with contemporary culture, making space for questions, disagreement, and growth, and discerning together the Church’s future mission. Trusting that God is present even in uncertainty and change.
How we do it… is by grounding our lives in the promises we made in our baptismal covenant, allowing them to not only shape what we do in the Church but how we live in the world. We commit to continuing in fellowship, seeking and serving others, striving for justice, and respecting the dignity of every human being, always remembering that our response to these promises is not “I will” but “I will, with God’s help.” This matters deeply to our Episcopal identity, because it reminds us that faith is never an individual effort but a shared life sustained by God’s grace.
This posture invites us into daily attentiveness to God through prayer, Scripture, and reflection, forming habits that keep us rooted in God’s presence beyond Sunday worship. It also shapes the way we move through the world—with humility, curiosity, and generosity—guiding how we listen, how we love, and how we respond to difference. In this Episcopal way of living, tradition becomes a foundation rather than a boundary, making room for the Spirit’s movement and reminding us that how we live our faith matters as much as what we believe.
More Resources on Episcopal Identity…
Come and See! This video, produced by the Diocese of Massachusetts, sums up who we are as Episcopalians and offers an invitation to ALL people to come and see. We are a “big tent” church, which means there is room for all of God’s children in our church.
Video Series
This program on Episcopal Identity and Adaptive Leadership was developed by the Diocese with the generous support of the Trinity Wall Street Foundation. The videos and accompanying workbook can be done by individuals or groups, and are designed to promote conversation about how we be the Episcopal Church in the world.
Here is a PDF of the workbook that aligns with and is the companion of the video series.
The Book of Common Prayer. We recently surveyed diocesan leaders and asked, “what do you think are hallmarks of our episcopal identity?” One of the major responses was "the book of common prayer." You may know it from Sunday worship, but it is so much more. Here is a whimsical, but thorough overview in just 4 minutes.
Core Leadership Courses. Interested in a deeper dive? The Trinity Leadership Program (through Trinity Church in NYC) offers a core curriculum for church leaders, lay and ordained. These courses will help individuals or groups to grow their skill sets.