Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church

by Jenifer Gamber, Bill Lewellis

This “everything-you-need-to-know” guide for newcomers to the Episcopal Church is written and designed to provide accessible and user-friendly reading, with an easy-going look and style that’s packed full of substance. The book carefully unpacks the Episcopal Church’s language of worship, theology, church structure, and sacraments, so that newcomers will have the vocabulary and framework to share their beliefs and practices, explore the Bible, understand prayer and discern their own ministry within the church. Drawing upon the success of an earlier book written for teens, the new book retains the same unique presentation, inviting readers to consider their relationship with God and the church community as an ongoing process of transformation, while providing ways to engage in that process.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christian, Spirituality, Christianity, Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read during the inquirers class at my local episcopal church.

I personally wasn't a huge fan of the book, but I got a lot of feedback from other people in the class that it was super helpful. I think I was a bit bias because I had already been attending the episcopal church (TEC) for ~6-7 months when I started the class and the information presented in the book wasn't particularly new.

The history chapter was great though. It's interesting how TEC is historically connected to Scotland and the whiplash of the English monarchy swinging from Protestantism to Catholicism and back several times, which led to the martyrdom of many great figures in Anglicanism.

The Bible Stories chapter left a lot to be desired though. Specifically a statement in the interlude that "the Bible is about God, not about us" really rubbed me the wrong way. I get what they were saying, but it's such a blanket statement and inappropriate at many times throughout the Bible. The Bible was written by people to describe their desire for and deviations from God's will, so how can it not be about us? God is, of course, always in the background of these stories, but the majority of Kings and Chronicles is very much about people.

The title states what this book is for - a manual for your first few week at TEC. And I think it does well in that regard. I think they could have at least hinted at the rich history and controversy of Biblical scholarship and religious liberalism (including potential TEC schisms) as a sort of "there's more to this story but we don't have time to talk about it here" statement.

[David Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as deep as I expected.

After about six months in the Episcopal Church I thought this might provide more insight into the church and it's practices. I don't feel like I learned anything new or gained any new perspective or insights. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad read; just not what I was looking for right now.

[Ben Smitthimedhin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. This was an okay introduction to the Episcopal church. Only about 40% of the book is distinctly Episcopalian doctrine... the rest of the book is just a really elementary introduction to Christianity.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is intended as an overview introduction to the Episcopalian faith. I thought it was a good introduction, in particular, the structure of the book was strong.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I now know when someone is wearing their alb in the apse.

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Episcopal Church! Easy to read language with common sense liturgical doctrine.

[John Laliberte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice overview of the Episcopal Church for those seeking to understand the faith.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Gamber's book is an excellent introduction to Western Christian spirituality, let alone a comprehensive introduction to the "middle way" of the Episcopal Church. I would say that most of the book is actually given over to spiritual life and practice. This says a lot about Ms. Gamber's and the Church's orientation. She lays out and incorporates into her discussion the spiritual analysis of the Jesuit Father Bernard Lonergan --- that is, the ways of examining events, experience, and so forth; making productive spiritual conclusions about them; and moving on with the hope of spiritual transformation. Ms. Gamber discusses briefly, but really nicely, the search for personal calling and a variety of methods of starting out on prayer and continuing in the routine of prayer. She discusses worship and ministry in the context of the Church's Baptismal Covenant. She has a nice discussion on the Eucharist and the Prayer Book ritual(s) for it.

Ms. Gamber's emphasis is upon thought and growth, not just on doctrine and ritual. Nonetheless,in the midst of all this, she also finds the time to tell us what a "paten" is and makes us familiar with "chasubles", "cottas" and incense (!). She also talks about the Church's institutional structure.

A really nice book for the cradle Episcopalian, the new Episcopalian, or for anyone wanting to learn about this beautiful Church.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am new to the Episcopal Church and this book has been so helpful. Growing up Presbyterian I knew nothing about liturgy and only knew minimal history of the church. I also attended a class that followed the teachings so that of course helped. The book was clear and straight forward about the structure and beliefs of Episcopals. There were also many people in the class who are practicing Episcopals and they also found the book helpful.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a little too simplistic, but that is to be expected from a short, introductory book like this. Overall, this book answered many questions I had about the Episcopal Church, and I learned many things I would not have thought of to ask. I read many passages out loud to my husband as I worked my way through the book.

[Conor Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great example of what an intro book should be *nudge Pagans nudge*.

if you are writing an intro book for any religious tradition, this may give some fine ideas

[Jonathan Frazier]

283.73 (3 copies)