People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity

by Dwight J. Zscheile

By exploring the Episcopal Church’s mission and precepts in the context of 21st century and its challenges, this thoughtful book deepens the Church’s relationship with its people and makes the faith more relevant. Society and culture are constantly evolving so must religion and its mission to remain meaningful. The legacies of establishment, benefactor approaches to mission, and the ‘national church’ ideal are no longer adequate for the challenges and opportunities facing the 21st century church. But if the Episcopal Church is no longer the Church of the Establishment and the benefactor model of church is dead, what is the heart of Episcopal mission and identity? Scholar and Episcopal priest Dwight Zscheile draws on multiple streams of Anglican thought and practice, plus contemporary experience to craft a vision for mission that addresses the church’s post-establishment, post-colonial context. With stories, practices and concrete illustrations, Zscheile engages readers in re-envisioning what it means to be Anglican in America today and sends readers out to build new relationships within their local contexts.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Chris Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read. We read it as a Vestry project. While I found myself understanding where the author is coming from, I both agree and disagree with his message. He is right that in the networked society we have, people are moving away from the establishment church as we know it. What I am disturbed by is the idea that perhaps in trying to adapt to this new reality, we will disenfranchise the Episcopalians who have supported the church for so long. I do hope we can come up with a negotiated settlement that can help both new and old members growing in their own version of their faith.

[Anne Harlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to hear about ways to reform the Episcopal church, and I particularly like Zscheile's ideas about community--modeling ourselves on the Trinity instead of constantly re-inventing ourselves individually. He also talks about learning from others and sharing responsibility instead of the corporate-style patriarchy that our traditions are built on. I love the South African attitude of plunging into the lives of others instead of trying to bring them in to our church.

[Ben Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful book, one taking seriously the current challenges of the Episcopal Church and yet carefully seeking out opportunities for growth and new life. Nonetheless, a little bit overenthusiastic about 'fresh expression' and 'missional communities' for my liking, and perhaps overemphasizes the flexibility of Anglican theology in a liberal direction. Nonetheless, a faithful, hopeful liberal Anglican manifesto for renewing our church - were this the typical expression of Anglican liberalism we would, I think, be in quite good shape as a church.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thought-provoking book that I read as a potential church book group piece. I think it works - I don't necessarily agree with all the the author proposes, but it's all based in Christian and Episcopal tradition, though it challenges the latter. I think it does raise several questions about the modern Episcopal Church and how we think about our faith and church in the 21st Century. Looking forward to organizing a future book group around this!

[Eugenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way this book had questions for study or thought at the end of each section and also margin notes already provided.

It is an interesting look at the Episcopal Church and how it can better move into the twenty-first century without ignoring its traditions.

[Jon Stout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dwight Zscheile was the keynote speaker at a recent Episcopal Diocesan Convention to which I was a deputy. Keynote speakers in these situations try to present the church with a new vision of what is possible in an era of declining enrollments. This is a noble job, because surely there is something meaningful that we are called to do, no matter the circumstances. But such speakers always run the danger of trying too hard to find new language for old ideas, and of ending up with the latest ecclesiastical bright idea of the week.

What I take away from Zscheile’s book and presentation is that the church’s mission is to “restore community” by going out into the community in the same way that Jesus sent the disciples out into the towns and villages in the formation of the early church. The disciples were to take no possessions and were to avail themselves of the hospitality of those they encountered. In parallel fashion, Zscheile recommends engaging in the life of the community and “attentive listening” to the stories of others.

Another concept that I like is “discernment.” Zscheile says that in an age of theological flexibility, the emphasis should be on personal interaction with the gospels, and “discernment” of their meaning for the individual in a community context. He says that the vestry should delegate practical chores, and make itself the “chief discernment committee” in determining what the church is called to be.

This approach makes sense, especially when the church (the Episcopal Church in particular) has become “disestablished,” lost its position of presumptive moral authority and social status. The approach is also consistent with the sentiments and inclinations of most present-day parishes (in my experience).

Unfortunately, to many people the ideas come across as, “Do more. Try harder.” Laypeople struggle to grasp what is new, and even the clergy seem nonplussed. Fortunately, congregational life goes on as usual, and generates its own sources of meaning.

[Rob Skirving · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book could have been lots of other things, including some of those things suggested by other Goodreads reviewers, I appreciate that the author stuck to what was, for me, a very important task ...that of helping us to see a way forward for the church that many of us love. His descriptive language of the establishment church was precise and, from my vantage point, mostly very accurate. His emphasis on claiming our identity as disciples, and not mere members of an establishment church, was encouraging even if very challenging. His push to rethink the purposes of dioceses and the work of laity, bishops, priests and deacons was very valuable and could, I imagine, spark some wonderful dialog across our church.

For those able to accept the possibility/likelihood/reality that we (the church) are passing into a whole new time, this book helps to illuminate the path forward. We'll all walk it a little differently and at our own pace. Some of us continue to live as establishment church, others of us have never even known that reality. Thanks to Dwight Zscheile for giving us some good language to share to help make sense of the journey forward.

[Barbara Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking encouragement for the entire Episcopal Church to take the risk of trusting God's Spirit to show up outside church. An invitation to radical trust in Christ through the practice of 1. accepting the hospitality of the people in the neighborhood, 2. commitment to the practice and the handing on of the habits that nourish our Christian identity, (familiarity and intimacy with the Word of God; cultivation of a sense of wonder, awe, curiosity to God's presence in our midst and beyond through the practice of prayer, solitude silence, Sabbath, service, simplicity worship, hospitality, and generosity; creating a space where a genuine community of trust, compassion, conversion and hope can form), 3. Serving those in our communities seeking meaning, purpose, hope, healing, justice and community, 4. Experiencing with our neighbors tangible expressions of God's reconciliation of the world.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I am on the vestry of my church. It is a book about the Episcopal Church specifically. It has a lot to say. The E.C. used to have many more members than it does today. I think the decline is membership has many causes --- from the decline of mainline denominations generally in the USA to the ordination of women and the elevation of gay bishops to the schisms within the church created by LGBT issues generally. The E.C. used to also a very, very establishment church, intertwined with American traditions and a little closer to the Anglican Communion than it is now. (In fact, I think it's membership in the communion is now very precarious.)

The problem of the E.C. now is how to remake itself. I think that this book is a very intelligent and very honest approach to a "new" E.C. for the people in the pews and others who love or once loved it. If you are Episcopalian, I would suggest a look at it.

[Jendi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"People of the Way" stands out for its clear, energetic, passionate restatement of core Christian beliefs, coupled with a progressive and inclusive worldview. Don't be fooled by the brevity of this book, which is so packed with ideas that our church small group has been discussing it for 5 months. Zscheile cherishes Episcopal traditions but prods us to stop idolizing familiar institutional forms of worship.

Sometimes he still betrays hints of the privileged, establishment worldview, as when he snipes at "individualists" who leave relationships when their needs aren't being met. (I thought that was a sign of good boundaries??) But then later on he seems to admit that churches *have* failed to meet people's need for spiritual sustenance, making members serve the institution rather than vice versa. Whether you like his prescription or not, the book is a great discussion-starter.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to read this with a couple of groups as we try to figure how to have a more vital congregation; it has been dis functional in certain ways for a number of years. So, time to more forward.

The book was a quick refresh in Episcopal history,mane why we're where we are today. In a church that's lost 33% of its members in 50 years, questions need to be asked. Is it about growth that success is measured in the church? I rather think not. A beauty or popularity contest? Probably not.

It will be good to discuss a way forward with others.

[John Hanscom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere between 4 1/2 and 5 stars. He presents a good model for "the Church of the Future." However, since he sees the "establishment paradigm" to be outdated, and believes each Parish needs to develop mission in relation to community, he is loath to give examples, as he does not want to reduce his ideas to mere "technique." It would have been nice to have more representative samples of how particular parishes succeeded, as some are going to see it in terms of technique no matter what he says, and others are more concrete than he appears to be. Nevertheless, it is a good book.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zscheile asks wonderful questions and makes compelling arguments for how The Episcopal Church must change and adapt at this point in our history. Thought provoking and challenging. Highly recommended.

What is refreshing about Zscheile's book is that it's not a program. He returns us to our roots and helps us to see our traditions in new ways. He also tells stories about real people and real congregations striving to be people of the Way.

[Julia Alberino · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this book for background prior to our Vestry off-site planning meeting this year. It is a good primer for catching up on current trends in the Episcopal Church (probably applicable to other denominations as well), and the author's including thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter makes the book readily adaptable for discussion by small groups. Church governance bodies will probably find "People of the Way" a good resource.

[John Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author provides a history of the Episcopal Church, identifies its current strengths and weaknesses, and details the necessary steps to imagine the church's identity as a missional church in the future. Although the Episcopal Church is the primary focus of this book, the strategies included could be used by other faith communities.

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book geared at looking at how Episcopal churches are currently functioning in the 21st century when church attendance is dropping, and the primary focus of the book is how churches need to build relationships in the their communities to help better meet the needs of the community. Great idea. Tough sell to churches that like the status quo.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. It really grabs your attention and holds your interest.

[Kelsee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful as me and my fellow parishoners consider the possibilities of reaching out to our neighborhood!

[Sammy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot on. Can't wait to reread it.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less preachy than most, and some excellent discussion questions, but I'm still looking for a book of this sort that doesn't trash Episcopalians and emphasize our need to change or die.

[Frank Ogden · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in the Episcopal church and its future direction, this is a book you might read. I recommend this book for that reason.