Unabashedly Episcopalian: Proclaiming the Good News of the Episcopal Church by Andrew Doyle

by C. Andrew Doyle

Episcopalians newly discovering their church home or long-time members who may have forgotten why they love the church will appreciate Unabashedly Episcopalian. Bishop Andy Doyle has mined the Baptismal Covenant and his own experiences leading the Diocese of Texas. The result is a heartfelt, smart and practical book that calls Episcopalians to wake up to the church s unique gifts and story, and equips them to share that witness in their neighborhoods and out in the world.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Spirituality, Christian

Unknown Binding

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Charles Andrew Doyle (Andy) was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Texas on May 24, 2008 and was consecrated on November 22, 2008 at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston. He was seated as the ninth Bishop of Texas on June 7, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, following the retirement of the Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly.

Born in 1966 in Carbondale, Illinois, and raised in Houston, Bishop Doyle served five years as Canon to the Ordinary prior to his election. Bishop Doyle holds a bachelor of fine arts from the University of North Texas and served at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin before receiving an M Div from Virginia Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon in 1995 and priest the following year. He served at Christ Church,Temple and St. Francis, College Station, Texas, prior to his appointment to the diocesan staff as Canon to the Ordinary in 2003.

Bishop Doyle is a gifted and experienced teacher and preacher, and has a particular interest in reaching younger generations in order to partner with older and experienced church members to share wisdom across generations, invigorating growth and membership. He has training and expertise in mediation as well as multicultural ministry. Bishop Doyle is bilingual and actively seeks to respond to an increasingly diverse population in the Diocese of Texas.

He believes reaching more and different audiences through electronic means will help build the body of Christ and regularly uses Twitter and FaceBook to have conversations with church members and those looking for a church home. He encourages innovative and grass roots efforts to plant new Episcopal communities.

A published author and accomplished painter, Doyle and his wife JoAnne have two daughters, Zoë, and Caisa.

Reviews

[Gibs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bp. Doyle's book is essentially an introduction to the Episcopal Church via meditation and reflection on the Baptismal Covenant of the BCP. It's a light read, but intends to be nothing else. It is Bp. Doyle's perspective on what it means to be a Disciple in the Episcopal tradition. As such, I found value in Bp. Doyle's insights, especially for individuals who are relatively new to the Episcopal Church and are looking for a quick but useful perspective on living the Christian life. This book is NOT an introduction to the history of the Episcopal Church, or to the BCP, or even to the streams of theological thought within our denomination. For that reason, I would not recommend that the book be left to stand alone. But alongside other, more comprehensive works, Bp. Doyle's book serves a commendable purpose, which, I believe, is to "narrate" the vibrancy of Episcopal discipleship through personal insights into the vows we make at baptism.

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book, especially for anyone new to the Episcopal church or those going through Confirmation or Reaffirmation studies. It's an uncomplicated, easy to understand look at our faith, using the Baptismal Covenant as a basis. Good for new Episcopalians or us old timers who just want to remind ourselves of why we love this church so much!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a lifelong Episcopalian and bought this book based on a recommendation and, frankly because of the cool cover. I hoped it would have more insights in how to reach younger people. I found, instead, a slow meditation over the baptismal covenant. It didn't have a lot of deep insights for me, but one can always get something out of a book like this. I especially enjoyed this vision of what the Episcopal Church could be, whether or not it will happen remains to be seen:

"We have the perfect front porch from which to launch this renewed missionary effort. We have congregations- our own missionary outposts- throughout the nation. Some are in remote locations; others are in the heart of great cities. They serve as way stations for the pilgrims seeking God in the world. They share the bread of the gospel as manna for the journey. They provide shelter from the storm and refuge for those battered by life. And always, they equip and send out the laborers Jesus prayed for."

[Kathi Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love everyone, now I can get behind that!

I just found the Episcopalian faith and I am so excited! This is what I have been looking for all my life. In all the different churches I have been to I have never found a church that stands on acceptance and love for all human kind. This book explains what Episcopalians believe and it makes you want to go out into the world and love one another.

[Courtney Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone new to the Episcopal faith this was a great read. Very informative and only thing that seemed off was the history bits with the missionaries being at the end / but the style of going through the call and response for confirmation was very soothing. Great read and would read again.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great introduction to a great faith tradition and a great refresh for those who have been members of this body for awhile.

[Sandy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who was raised Baptist and joined the Episcopal Church when my youngest was a toddler, I found this book to be a wonderful overview of what it means to be an Episcopalian. I learned a great deal and was inspired by the mission.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, the good news is that I have found a home in the Episcopal Church. I picked up Bishop Andrew Doyle's book in an attempt to learn more about my new church home. Little did I know that it would make for such contagiously compelling and faith-full reading. Another reviewer called it a "love letter to the Episcopal church" - it is that and more.

Bishop Doyle himself says it best for me when he states " I love Jesus and I love our tradition. I am unabashedly Episcopalian and want others to experience the love of God and our church as I have experienced them..." He has definitely succeeded in that aim and his love and joy shines through in his writing. Through chapters that begin with the baptismal promises, the author teaches us as well as reminds and instructs us in just what we are promising, with church history interspersed along the way. It is a guide in the most readable way and ultimately, it is a rousing call to service, as we are reminded that we are a missionary people, whose lives have been transformed by our love for Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility and privilege to share that Good News with those we meet and to welcome them into a church where they can be nurtured by the Word of God and joyfully experience His love through one another.

I enjoyed and was inspired by this well written little book and I recommend it not only to those interested in the Episcopal Church or to those life long church members looking for refreshment but to all who would be interested in a closer relationship with Jesus. It is, as I have found the Episcopal Church to be, joyful with the Good News that we are loved by God.

[Alysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honored to be confirmed into the Episcopal church by Bishop Doyle in 2011 in Lake Jackson, TX. I am one of the many who grew up in a different denomination but came to the Episcopal church as an adult.

Many reviewers have said that this book is for someone who is new to the Episcopal church. I agree that it is a good read for those who are new, but I also think it is an excellent read for long-time Episcopalians. It is a good reminder to anyone about the good aspects of an invitational and inclusive denomination and the power of listening to all voices in a church, even those with differing viewpoints.

I have moved to a different part of the country to one of the smallest dioceses of the Episcopal church where discussions of congregations dwindling and churches closing are common. I think a lot of the messages in this book would be good for many to hear--what do all of us have in common and how can we work together to do what Christ is calling us to do.

[Steve Lee Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recently confirmed as a member of the Episcopal Church. The book we studied to prepare for that event was "Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church." I feel that "Unabashedly Episcopalian" is a great follow-up to that volume, though not a replacement.

There was a lot of useful information in both tomes. What I especially liked about this book was the way in which Bishop Andy challenged readers to "do" and not just be content with a cerebral Christianity. This is important to me, as I am not always inclined towards service as a way of life, and encouragement of this type reminds me that serving is at the core of true Christianity.

[Janice Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a handful of really insightful ideas in this book, but mostly I didn't find much that felt new or exciting. I like Bishop Doyle's writing style and would be willing to try other things he has written, even if I'm not sure I'd seek them out. That being said, I think this was worthwhile to read during Lent, as part of my process of preparing for Easter and rebirth in my own life. I think I would have enjoyed the book much more had I been reading it with others in a group with opportunity for discussion.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem with this book was not it, but me. It turns out it was witten for Episcopalians either preparing for adult baptism/confirmation, or just having undergone such. I am an Episcopalian of about 40 years. In some sense, this was just the SOS. However, it was worth reading, and would be for lay preachers, catechists, Christian Education teachers, clergy, etc., as it expresses the SOS very, very well, and had some great examples and metaphors I had not heard.

[Justin Briggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, especially for an Episcopalian, challenging us to fulfill the common mission we all have to bring our neighbors into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. I really enjoyed the various prayer book references and their applications. It was also nice to get to know Bishop Doyle a little through his opening chapter stories.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief overview of the Episcopal (Anglican) baptismal covenants and how they apply to the Christian life. Doyle's book is brief, perhaps a little too brief, but useful catechesis for the new Christian preparing for baptism or confirmation, or for one looking to refresh the memory of the promises they made long ago and reapply them in daily life.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of Episcopal beliefs centered around the baptismal vows. It's an easy read but can lead to deeper contemplation. (I've been reading it a chapter at a time with my Daughters of the King group or I would have finished it long ago.)

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a few sections really helpful, directly actionable for life. Overall, I liked this book for an Episcopalian or curious-about-denominations person. But, I felt it dragged or some other non-descript word that caused me to barely give it four stars (almost three).

[Jamey Hooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truely enjoyed this book. I am new to the Episcopal church and this book provided a lot of useful information.

[Canon Don Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

great little book. especially good for newly Confirmed, but also as a contemporary refresher for those of us Confirmed many years ago. The last chapter particularly well dine.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read and a great introduction to the beliefs of the Episcopal Church.

[A.J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story within the Episcopal faith.

[Joan Schrock]

I was not aware of Bishop Doyle's assessment of the missionary work in the Episcopal church but I do agree with him that we could do a lot better.