The Episcopal Church's 'E-Word'

Americans are fed up, searching, and drifting: fed up with church or their perception of church, searching for spiritual moorings, yet adrift in a sea of secular offerings of peace, purpose, and happiness. As Christians, we know that we hold the good news of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life that the whole world needs. We know that humanity is â??restless,â? as St. Augustine said, until it finds rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why the announcement of the Episcopal Churchâ??s focus on evangelism (a.k.a. the â??e-wordâ?) comes in many ways as welcome news. Our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, has been inviting us all to join â??the Jesus Movement,â? which centers on sharing of the Gospel to our hurting world. Bishop Curry frequently refers to himself as our â??Chief Evangelism Officerâ? (see my interview with him here; and see here and here). And he is certainly living into this new role. He recently appointed a Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation, the Rev. Stephanie Spellers, who will work throughout the Episcopal Church, seeking ways to equip the church in evangelistic work.