1. Why another Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg?
In Virginia there is an Episcopal church for every 17, 000 people. But Harrisonburg (pop. 40,000) has only one, Emmanuel Episcopal, located downtown. The diocese of Virginia wants to welcome more and more of the city and county's people to a nearby Episcopal church in faithful response to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Also, the characters of Christ The King and Emmanuel will be different, allowing for more comprehensive outreach to the area.
2. When will a building go up on the Port Road property?
Hard to say. We are focused on welcoming people and building a strong community right now. Like most new churches, we are now worshiping in a school building on Sunday morning. In time, a beautiful building of our own will accommodate our ongoing needs and growth. Thankfully, there is no debt on the property at Boyers and Port Republic Roads.
3. Where does Christ The King stand on the social issues of today?
As God's people, and Christ's ambassadors to the world, we will encourage a biblical worldview in our life and ministries. Generally, our teachings will be consistent with those beautifully articulated by the American Anglican Council (AAC) and the majority of Anglicans worldwide.
4. How are we similar to other evangelical churches?
We are like other evangelical churches, though we are more sacramental and liturgical. We are like other evangelical churches in that we uphold:
o The authority and sufficiency of Scripture;
o The uniqueness of our redemption through the death of Christ on the cross;
o The need for personal conversion; and
o The necessity, propriety, and urgency of evangelism.
These four emphases are common to most Christians who call themselves evangelical. As Anglican evangelicals who uphold Holy Scripture as our primary rule of faith, we appreciate the supporting roles of tradition, reason and experience in shaping our faith. Many evangelicals already know Anglicans C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engel, J.I. Packer, John Stott, Archbishop Tutu, and John and Charles Wesley.
5. What kind of music will characterize worship at Christ The King?
Today's church has so many more music resources than even one generation ago. So we will make use of all that is available today - traditional hymns and contemporary praise music. Some people call this "blended music". We are praying for a gifted musician, experienced in or open to liturgical worship, who complements our ordained leader's gifts.
6. What does "Episcopal" mean?
The word "Episcopal" is a descriptive word meaning "with bishops." A bishop is a minister who oversees multiple congregations. From earliest times, the Episcopal Church has valued the unifying office and ministry of bishops.
7. Why do we celebrate the Lord's Supper every week?
The Lord's Supper is the central act of Christian worship. It reminds us of Christ's sacrificial death on the Cross, and it nourishes us by strengthening our union with Christ.
8. Why does the Episcopal Church use the Book of Common Prayer?
Here are three reasons:
o First, to be biblical. As a safeguard against error, the contents of the Book of Common Prayer are theologically sound and thoroughly biblical.
o Second, to be comprehensive. As a safeguard against narrowness, the liturgy draws us out of ourselves, our little worlds, and our local and time-bound lives into a wider state of prayerful concern. The prayers in the book are "tried and true" over centuries of use, and revised in language.
o Third, to be participatory. As a safeguard against being only a "show", Episcopal liturgies welcome participants, not spectators. Common prayers can be prayed together, actively, and in unity. Everyone participates in prayer book services.
9. Why bishops, priests, and deacons?
Bishops, priests, and deacons were the church's earliest forms of servant leadership following the apostles. These ancient "orders" have been effective means for continuing the Church's ministry. They still express continuity with the historic Church of earliest Christianity. All other baptized members of the church are referred to as "lay persons" or "the laity," who, as followers of Christ, carry out the mission of the church.
10. What do we call our clergy? Pastor? Father? Reverend?
The Anglican tradition includes a variety of theological emphases, which carry forward in the titles of clergy. Like all Episcopal pastors, Geoff is ordained both Deacon and Priest. (The word "Priest" is a short form of the word "presbyter," or elder.) He prefers that people call him "Geoff." If you or your children desire to use a title for him, the title he prefers is "Pastor Geoff," since that title describes his function, and emphasizes his evangelical commitments. Also, it is appropriate for children to call him simply "Mr. Gwynne."
