Looking at the Episcopal Church

Sydnor does an excellent job at providing a view of how the Episcopal church developed and how it should continue to exist. He offers overviews of the services of the church and specifically at the liturgies and worship. He includes a brief history of the church that I found useful, even though I have read fuller histories. In his history, he includes how the Church of England developed from the Reformation and how Anglicanism has incorporated the traditions of the early church that defined orthodox Christianity. He then discusses the theology of the Episcopal/Anglican Church and its mission. He also emphasizes the participation in the church by not only priests but by all members of the laity. He writes about how laity are called to ministry, to pray, to witness and to take responsibility for the church. Although the view of the current state of the Episcopal church may differ than this dated view, this view is a model that can still be pursued and held up as a challenge to contemporary innovations in theology and ecclessiology.

The book was very helpful and fulfilled a need I had teaching adults about the church. Good stuff.

What this book lacks in size, it makes up for in content and information! A wonderful tool to those interested in learning more about the Episcopal faith tradition, beliefs, and rites/practices. A bit too basic for someone whom is active in church and has a full and comprehensive working knowledge of Episcopalianism.Highly recommended!