Progressive Faith
The Progressive Episcopal Church is a community of progressive Christians united in the common mission of proclaiming and demonstrating the "Good News" of love (St. Matthew 22:36-40).
The Progressive Episcopal Church seeks to maintain continuity with ancient Christian traditions received from the past, while remaining open and adaptable to the changes new situations and understandings require. The Progressive Episcopal Church is dedicated to exploring, discovering and experiencing the universal principles found among the great religions of the world, in the context of the ancient Christian faith tradition. These universal principles form a truly catholic faith, which is catholic because it is a statement of universal principles.
The people of the Progressive Episcopal Church seek to live out the Gospel in everyday life through the Baptismal Covenant. The Progressive Episcopal Church seeks to encourage authentic Human experiences of the Divine through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, while recognizing, respecting and celebrating the diversity of spiritual experiences throughout the Human community.
"The divinity of Jesus is in the fullness of his humanity. His total readiness to be a human; the full, active vehicle of God's meaning and love. But this possibility is in all humans. “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ”. (Philippians 2:5.) Some people had in a measure shown this capacity before; some have shown it since. It is ever a possibility. We cannot say, through our experience on this small planet revolving around a secondary star, that such a full revelation could not be known otherwise.
But for us, Jesus is the one against whom we would measure any other reported experience through all the centuries ahead, as to any other human life, or as to life on any planet. This is enough for us. God so revealed would be enough for anyone, anywhere, in any world."
~Bishop James A. Pike (1913-1969)
The Progressive Episcopal Church seeks to maintain continuity with ancient Christian traditions received from the past, while remaining open and adaptable to the changes new situations and understandings require. The Progressive Episcopal Church is dedicated to exploring, discovering and experiencing the universal principles found among the great religions of the world, in the context of the ancient Christian faith tradition. These universal principles form a truly catholic faith, which is catholic because it is a statement of universal principles.
The people of the Progressive Episcopal Church seek to live out the Gospel in everyday life through the Baptismal Covenant. The Progressive Episcopal Church seeks to encourage authentic Human experiences of the Divine through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, while recognizing, respecting and celebrating the diversity of spiritual experiences throughout the Human community.
"The divinity of Jesus is in the fullness of his humanity. His total readiness to be a human; the full, active vehicle of God's meaning and love. But this possibility is in all humans. “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ”. (Philippians 2:5.) Some people had in a measure shown this capacity before; some have shown it since. It is ever a possibility. We cannot say, through our experience on this small planet revolving around a secondary star, that such a full revelation could not be known otherwise.
But for us, Jesus is the one against whom we would measure any other reported experience through all the centuries ahead, as to any other human life, or as to life on any planet. This is enough for us. God so revealed would be enough for anyone, anywhere, in any world."
~Bishop James A. Pike (1913-1969)
The Progressive Episcopal Church embraces these progressive Christian principles in developing, experiencing and sharing our faith:
•The ancient Christian faith can be a relative expression of the universal truth that all life is sacred and united.
•Christianity is one of many paths on the journey of experiencing the divine and all people are free to explore and discover the heritage of diverse spiritual traditions.
•A progressive Christian community is inclusive of all and exclusive of none and denounces discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality, nationality, language, culture, religion, disability or other distinguishing feature.
•Participating in the "Great Commission" (St. Mark 16:15) requires demonstration of the liberating message of the Gospel, not just its proclamation. We must practice what we preach.
•Progress on the journey of spiritual development requires we welcome and encourage the questioning of traditional and contemporary interpretations of the Christian faith.
•The Gospel message of Jesus Christ compels all believers to struggle for justice and peace among all people and to become dedicated advocates of the poor and oppressed.
•The Christian faith includes reverence and care for the Earth and all created things.
•The Christian faith is a journey of spiritual development and requires a commitment to continuous learning, progress, grace and love.
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These principles are based on the "8 Points" as articulated by the Center for Progressive Christianity. Learn more about Progressive Christianity from ProgressiveChristianity.org here...
•The ancient Christian faith can be a relative expression of the universal truth that all life is sacred and united.
•Christianity is one of many paths on the journey of experiencing the divine and all people are free to explore and discover the heritage of diverse spiritual traditions.
•A progressive Christian community is inclusive of all and exclusive of none and denounces discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality, nationality, language, culture, religion, disability or other distinguishing feature.
•Participating in the "Great Commission" (St. Mark 16:15) requires demonstration of the liberating message of the Gospel, not just its proclamation. We must practice what we preach.
•Progress on the journey of spiritual development requires we welcome and encourage the questioning of traditional and contemporary interpretations of the Christian faith.
•The Gospel message of Jesus Christ compels all believers to struggle for justice and peace among all people and to become dedicated advocates of the poor and oppressed.
•The Christian faith includes reverence and care for the Earth and all created things.
•The Christian faith is a journey of spiritual development and requires a commitment to continuous learning, progress, grace and love.
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These principles are based on the "8 Points" as articulated by the Center for Progressive Christianity. Learn more about Progressive Christianity from ProgressiveChristianity.org here...
Links appearing on this site are for informational purposes only and do not necessarily imply a relationship between the Progressive Episcopal Church and the linked sites.The Progressive Episcopal Church is a fellowship of progressive Christian communities and should not be confused with organizations bearing similar names. The Progressive Episcopal Church is independent of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion. The Progressive Episcopal Church is not affiliated with TEC/ECUSA.