Welcome to the Episcopal Church: An Introduction to Its History, Faith, and Worship

Great introduction to the Church. Friendly, accessible tone. I've enjoyed all of the "Welcome" series from Morehouse Publishing.

Christopher Webber's book "Welcome to the Episcopal Church: An Introduction to Its History, Faith, and Worship" should really be read by all Christians not just Episcopalians or those actively seeking to convert. Before reading the book, although nominally Catholic, I had lost faith in institutional Christianity. I couldn't help but see all the major branches as doctrinaire and contradictory to the spirit of Christ's teaching on earth. However, the Episcopal Faith (within the larger Anglican Communion) demonstrates a way that a faith can be practiced communally while still helping people. The other beauty of the book is that it is honest with the humanity and the shortcomings of the Episcopal Church. Ultimately, it did not just give me faith in the Episcopal Church (I am seriously and prayerfully considering practicing my faith in the Episcopal Church), but let me see the essential unity of the entire Christian Church (believing basically the same thing). The Body of Christ does exist on earth, even if it needs to recover from illnesses from time to time. I would like to just send a thank you Christopher L. Webber, you truly have fulfilled your faith's obligation to ministry.

This is a great introduction to the Episcopal Church. I read this book almost cover to cover before attending my first Episcopal service.This is a book about the church, its beliefs, people, history, and practices. It's not intended, I think, to be "inspirational" or "theological." However, I found it's straightforward, sensitive, honest tone very easy to take.

As a person who is new to the Episcopal Church, I found this book invaluable in explaining customs, practices and beliefs. It is a great resource and a wonderful starting place for someone who is new to the church and has a hunger to learn and grow in it. A must have!

This is a great resource for anyone new to or returning to the Episcopal Church. It's easy to read without being condescending and offers guidance on everything from church history to how to read the bible to the meaning of various parts of the weekly service. The comparisons of the beliefs and rituals of Episcopalians with those of members of other religions is particularly useful. The author never denegrades others' beliefs, but offers an interesting history of how various religions evolved.

Since my reception into the Episcopal Church twelve years ago, and even more so during the past three years as I have taught hundreds of others coming into the Episcopal Church, I have been searching for, hoping for, praying for the right book to help in that process. It's here! Written in a rich but unfussy style which is up-to-date without sounding trendy, Webber's engaging and accessible summaries are like Hagen-Daz: "just perfect." Every Episcopalian or friend of an Episcopalian will find it a lively and informative read, and any seeker after a contemporary Christianity with ancient roots will discover new insights into this religion of two millenia. The chapter on the Bible is worth the price of the book and could benefit anyone who has grappled with the puzzle of biblical interpretation. There are many similar books but this one is by far the brightest and the best.