Top voices highlight important changes in the role of bishop. Compelling essays, written by bishops, other clergy, and academics from across the Episcopal Church, reflect the breadth of thinking on the history, current state, and future of the role of leadership within the denomination and the wider Anglican Communion. Topics include the transformation of the role over the last fifty years, a review of historic documents on the episcopacy, issues of race and gender, and the definition of ministry and leadership. This volume will be of interest to leaders across denominations as well as scholars.

From the winner of The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, a spiritual guide to restoring yourself from racial trauma and committing to the long work of dismantling racism. In her work as Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Meeks has fought tirelessly to shed light on racism and provide tools and experiences to enable faith communities to work to combat it. In this new book, she shares highlights and insights from her journey and offers a much-needed meditative guide for the weary and frustrated. By looking inward and at each other clearly, she argues, good people of all backgrounds can forge a long term and individual path to making a difference. With personal stories and thoughtful direction, she takes the reader on the trajectory from self-awareness to recognition of the past to a new and individual way forward. Meditation topics include how to work through fear and rage, how stories can help heal, honoring your ancestors while looking toward the future, what it really means to love one another and the meaning of social justice.

For the fifteenth anniversary of its publication, this revised edition features a new introduction from the author on the state of the church and its "radical welcome" today, along with new reflections on how it continues to reshape the church. This book is at once a theological, inspirational, and practical guide for congregations that want to move beyond diversity and inclusion to present a vision for the church of the future: one where the gifts, voices, and power of marginalized groups bring new life to the mainline church. Based on two years of work and over 200 interviews with people in congregations all around the United States-in urban, suburban, and rural settings-it asks the question: How do we face our fears and welcome transformation in order to become God's radically welcoming people? Each chapter introduces a particular congregation and the challenges it faced, and lays out the theological underpinnings of tackling fears head-on to embrace change as a welcome part of community life. This new edition features essays from Michael B. Curry, Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, and Mark Richardson.

A major study on the theology of Beloved Community. This long-awaited work by the church's top clergy, scholars, and thought leaders examines the theological foundation of Beloved Community and its threats. It addresses such important topics as the legacy and sin of white supremacy, economic disparity, racial healing, and the call for reparations. The committee's work sheds light on the societal and cultural implications of the largest obstacle to the core mission of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and outlines what is necessary for the future of racial justice. "I am so grateful for the... work of the theologians and bishops who have spent the last five years working on [this study] . . . This is hard and holy work, not to hurt or harm, but to help and heal." -Michael B. Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church

Powerful sermons from Washington National Cathedral in the midst of the pandemic. Through their sermons, Cathedral clergy and guest preachers such as Jon Meacham, Kelly Brown Douglas, and Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry share inspiring words. Collectively, they offer lasting guidance for difficult times, reinforcing that even in the midst of loss and chaos, God is at work among us, lifting us up and giving us hope for the future. Topics include hope, faith during times of distress, love, grief, and the presence of God. With a foreword by Jon Meacham.

So often we think of the Christian faith as an obligation or as a set of beliefs that we must hold. With this outlook, we can lose sight of what is most important: the invitation to experience a loving, personal relationship with God. It's a relationship we can trust, where we can find refuge and solid ground upon which to stand. The Way of Love set forth by the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry is the journey of a lifetime. It's a way of knowing God, receiving and sharing Jesus' love, and being a blessing to the world. Mariann Edgar Budde shares her thoughts on how the reader can come to know--to receive--Jesus more deeply in practicing the Way of Love. Through the seven practices that have been put before us: to turn, to learn, to pray and to worship, to bless, to go, and to rest, she will share biblical stories, wisdom from the Christian tradition, and her own personal stories of spiritual growth.

The presiding bishop's advisors lay out a step-by-step way to nurture a profound friendship with God in Christ. Walking the Way of Love is organized according to seven practices (Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest) and three ways of being (We Seek Love; We Seek Freedom; and We Seek Abundant Life). The wisdom in this book allows people to move from the first tentative stages of wanting an experiential relationship with Jesus to having a real relationship that grows deeper every year. The seven simple practices spelled out in this book-- by highly experienced teachers and practitioners-- will enhance the reader's spiritual growth and open up love, freedom, and abundant life. The stories and wisdom of these advisors will be helpful not just to seekers of faith, but also supportive to faith leaders who are guiding others in their development across the church. Proceeds support The Way of Love Scholarship Fund.

A major study on the theology of Beloved Community. This long-awaited work by the church's top clergy, scholars, and thought leaders examines the theological foundation of Beloved Community and its threats. It addresses such important topics as the legacy and sin of white supremacy, economic disparity, racial healing, and the call for reparations. The committee's work sheds light on the societal and cultural implications of the largest obstacle to the core mission of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and outlines what is necessary for the future of racial justice. "I am so grateful for the... work of the theologians and bishops who have spent the last five years working on [this study] . . . This is hard and holy work, not to hurt or harm, but to help and heal." -Michael B. Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church

We were created by love, for love, to love and to be loved. And we are at our best when we live in God's love. And I believe deep down, it's what we all want. We don't want hatred. We don't want the abyss. We want Beloved Community. The way of love is how to live it. When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, two billion people watched around the world. For one brief moment, love recreated the cosmos, the world came together. And the Bishop Michael Curry preached his revolutionary sermon on the power of love. In this book, Bishop Curry shares his deep faith that characterised that cultural moment: the way of love. It is the underappreciated, all-but-forgotten understanding of agape, the love that uplifts, liberates and changes the world. Though some might believe the world has to be the same, this way has the power to change things for the better. In his warm and accessible style Bishop Curry holds out the hope of love in troubling times.

Michael Curry leads off with a clarion call for us to join the Jesus Movement. A team of the Episcopal Church's brightest stars follow up with reflections on the practice of ministry in light of the movement: Sara Miles on encountering the "other," Rob Wright on adaptive leadership, Broderick Greer on reconciliation, Anthony Guillen on new ministries, Megan Castellan on evangelism, and Kellan Day on ministry with young people. Diana Butler Bass closes with a word on making the world whole. Christians have been following Jesus together for some 2000 years - these leaders help to illuminate how we follow him in our time.

The New Church's Teaching series has been one of the most recognizable and useful sets of books in The Episcopal Church. With the launch of the Church's Teachings for a Changing World series, visionary Episcopal thinkers and leaders have teamed up to write a new set of books, grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders, concise and accessible enough for newcomers, with a host of discussion resources that help readers to dig deep. Michael Curry leads off this volume with a clarion call for Episcopalians to join the Jesus Movement. A team of the church's brightest stars follow up with reflections on the practice of ministry in light of the movement: Nora Gallagher on encountering the "other," Rob Wright on adaptive leadership, Broderick Greer on reconciliation, Anthony Guillen on new ministries, Megan Castellan on evangelism, and Kellan Day on ministry with young people. Michael Curry closes with a word on making the world whole. Christians have been following Jesus together for some 2000 years - these leaders help to illuminate how we follow him in our time.

"In a conversation about his teaching and preaching style, Michael Curry notes with a laugh that hymns and songs of faith were always a part of the mix. “I learned what I believed in the songs I heard my family—especially my grandmother—sing. We sang our faith every day.” Out of that strong foundation, Bishop Curry shares the music of his childhood—the songs that have grown with him to shape an adult and vibrant faith."

El Obispo Presidente Michael B. Curry enmarca este volumen con un llamado de atencion para que los episcopales se unan al Movimiento de Jesus. Algunas de las mentes mas privilegiadas de la Iglesia le siguen con reflexiones sobre la practica del ministerio para el movimiento: Megan Castellan sobre evangelismo, Anthony Guillen en ministerios multiculturales, Kellan Day en ministerio con jovenes, Broderick Greer en justicia racial, Nora Gallagher sobre el amor por la tierra y Robert Wright sobre liderazgo. Michael Curry leads off this volume with a clarion call for Episcopalians to join the Jesus Movement. A team of the church's brightest stars follow up with reflections on the practice of ministry in light of the movement: Rob Wright on adaptive leadership, Broderick Greer on racial justice, Anthony Guillen on multicultural ministries, Megan Castellan on evangelism, Nora Gallagher on loving the earth, and Kellan Day on ministry with young people. Michael Curry closes with a word on making the world whole. Christians have been following Jesus together for some 2000 years-these leaders help to illuminate how we follow him in our time.

This easy-to-use guide can be used as a confirmation resource, in a new member class, or adult study groups. Ian Markham, Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary, introduces both the Christian faith and The Episcopal Church to the seeker and Episcopal laity in this indispensable manual. Each page in Faith Rules is Episcopal wisdom set in concise, straightforward language for anyone in the 21st century.

A menudo pensamos en la fe cristiana como una obligacion o como un conjunto de creencias que debemos seguir. Si seguimos esta idea podemos perder de vista lo mas importante: la invitacion a experimentar una relacion amorosa y personal con Dios. Esta es una relacion en la que podemos confiar, en la que podemos encontrar proteccion y tierra segura sobre la cual pararnos. Mariann Edgar Budde comparte sus pensamientos sobre como el lector puede llegar a conocer - a recibir - a Jesus mas profundamente, practicando el Camino del Amor. Ella comparte historias biblicas, la sabiduria de la tradicion cristiana y sus propias historias personales de crecimiento espiritual a traves de las siete practicas que nos han sido dadas con antelacion: cambiar, aprender, orar, adorar, bendecir, ir y descansar. So often we think of the Christian faith as an obligation or as a set of beliefs that we must hold. With this outlook, we can lose sight of what is most important: the invitation to experience a loving, personal relationship with God. It's a relationship we can trust, where we can find refuge and solid ground upon which to stand. The Way of Love set forth by the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry is the journey of a lifetime. It's a way of knowing God, receiving and sharing Jesus' love, and being a blessing to the world. Mariann Edgar Budde shares her thoughts on how the reader can come to know-to receive-Jesus more deeply in practicing the Way of Love. Through the seven practices that have been put before us: to turn, to learn, to pray and to worship, to bless, to go, and to rest, she will share biblical stories, wisdom from the Christian tradition, and her own personal stories of spiritual growth.

We were created by love, for love, to love and to be loved. And we are at our best when we live in God's love. And I believe deep down, it's what we all want. We don't want hatred. We don't want the abyss. We want Beloved Community. The way of love is how to live it. When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, two billion people watched around the world. For one brief moment, love recreated the cosmos, the world came together. And the Bishop Michael Curry preached his revolutionary sermon on the power of love. In this book, Bishop Curry shares his deep faith that characterised that cultural moment: the way of love. It is the underappreciated, all-but-forgotten understanding of agape, the love that uplifts, liberates and changes the world. Though some might believe the world has to be the same, this way has the power to change things for the better. In his warm and accessible style Bishop Curry holds out the hope of love in troubling times.

The text of the celebrated 2018 royal wedding sermon, plus four other sermons touching on themes of love, commitment, and social justice, by Bishop Michael Curry Two billion people watched Bishop Michael Curry deliver his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Here, he shares the full text of that sermon, plus an introduction describing the context, along with four of his favourite sermons on the themes of love and social justice. The world met Bishop Curry at the wedding and was moved by his riveting, hopeful, and deceptively simple message: love and acceptance are what we need in these strange times.

We need some Christians who are as crazy as the Lord. Crazy enough to love like Jesus, to give like Jesus, to forgive like Jesus, to do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God like Jesus. Crazy enough to dare to change the world from the nightmare it often is into something close to the dream that God dreams for it. And for those who would follow him, those who would be his disciples, those who would live as and be the people of the Way. It might come as a shock, but they are called to craziness. From Bishop Curry's "Crazy Christians" address to the 2012 General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.