The Average Episcopalian

Suffering is an inevitable element of the human condition, and often the existence of suffering drives humanity away from God. But today we're here to talk about what role God plays in our earthly pain. We cover a lot of ground… what it actually means to "let go and let God", whether or not bed rotting will cure your mental health, what we have learned from grief, the baffling nature of Christian joy, and why you should probably show up to the church function.

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Let's be honest: practicing the Daily Office is not a habit that the Average Episcopalian upholds. But staying rooted in our faith with daily rituals is crucial to our spiritual growth. So crack open your BCP, everyone! It's time to get real about the Daily Office. In this episode, we reflect on the difference between discipline and obedience, walk through our own daily routines that connect us to God, and discuss ways to make the Daily Office more adaptable and approachable for other average working folk like ourselves.

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We hear the phrase "The Body of Christ" often throughout our Episcopalian liturgies. But have you ever paused to consider what it means for us to be a part of Christ's body? Our friend, the lax bro-turned-BCP-loving Vicar, Rev. Joe Dewey, helps us peel back the curtain on this threefold concept, examining the physical body of Christ, sacramental body of Christ, and ecclesial body of Christ. We discuss the mind-bending nature of the Incarnation, how Episcopalians should respond to the existence of other denominations, our role in bringing about the kingdom of God, and how the Body of Christ is similar to a potluck. Spoiler alert: Annie cries tears of joy.

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More questions? Send us an email: [email protected]

Grab your popcorn! "The Prince of Egypt" is an epic animated adaptation of Moses's story, and we're about to dissect it scene by scene. This film has stood the test of time, from casting to cinematography to music, all of which we discuss in depth. We wrap up the episode by reflecting on the theological implications of the Exodus story: our fear of becoming who God wants us to be, our inner turmoil when processing an Old Testament plague-sending God, and the ever-present dangers of hardening our hearts as Pharaoh did.

Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

More questions? Send us an email: [email protected].

It's time for another Listener Q&A! Your questions had quite the range. We discussed the process of adult confirmation, pondered whether or not the BCP is Benedictine, indulged in visions of grandeur about the future of this podcast, reflected on the beauty of the diversity of worship within the Episcopal church, and even reminisced over the fiction books that shaped our childhoods. We hope you enjoy it!

Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

More questions? Send us an email: [email protected].

Does the concept of the Holy Trinity ever keep you up at night? Just us? To tackle the Trinity, we brought in our friend the Rev. Matt Rossi, Assistant Rector for Adult Formation at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas. And we were wise to do so. In this episode, Matt fights through our poor attempts to use analogy and geometry to make sense of the Triune God and reminds us WHY the Trinity matters to our faith. We didn't think it possible, but Matt blew up our obsession with definitions and replaced it with something better: excitement to worship. Buckle up, folks. You're in for a (long) good one. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

When we don't quite have the words, we Episcopalians turn to the Book of Common Prayer. In this episode, we review 4 of our favorite BCP prayers and discuss how they have carried us through our lives. These prayers teach us the true meaning of optimism, urge us to pursue childlike joy, calm us as we fall asleep, and remind us of God's changelessness. What are your favorite BCP prayers? Let us know on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

What makes Episcopalian worship music unique? What's up with all the chanting? What role does music play in the liturgy-- and in our faith? Mario Buchanan, Director of Music at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, Ohio, is here to talk all things Episcopalian music. We discuss the importance of singing in unison, the benefits of children's choir, what it's like to grow a music program in a small town, and the vulnerability it takes to sing around others. We hope this episode leaves you singing the descant with pride! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

Our longest episode yet! And of course we're talking about ourselves… so much for that episode on humility. Today we're interviewing each other, and we're not holding back! Topics include: Kate's experience in a Christian cult, being an Episcopalian in your twenties, how losing our mother impacted our faith journeys, where we encounter God in our daily lives, what setlist we'd play at the Episcopal club… and much more! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.

In the world of LinkedIn announcements and Instagram humble brags, does the old-fashioned virtue of humility have anything to offer? Today's episode uses the framework of St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility to explore why humility is necessary and life-giving for all who follow Christ. We discover that humility is the true root of confidence, listening plays a critical role in how we love others, and humility is like a lazy river in which we need to just let go. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian.