As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.
We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.
We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being. No exceptions. That means all genders serve as bishops, priests, and deacons. People not ordained cooperate with clergy as leaders at all governance levels of our church.
Because leadership is a gift from God it can be expressed by all people. All means all.
Book of Common Prayer
“It is a most invaluable part of that blessed ‘liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,’ that in his worship different forms and usages may without offense be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 9).
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.
The Bible
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).
The Bible is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end. Approximately 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible.
Baptismal Covenant
“Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 292).
A mini-catechism used at baptisms and on Easter and other special occasions, the baptismal covenant opens with a question-and-answer version of the statement of faith that is the Apostles’ Creed and adds five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith.
The Catechism
Offered in a question-and-answer format, the catechism found in the back of the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 845-862) helps teach the foundational truths of the Christian faith.
The Creeds
“The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851).
In the two foundational statements of faith—the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion—we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.
The Sacraments
“Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857).
Besides baptism and the Eucharist (Holy Communion), the church recognizes other spiritual markers in our journey of faith.
Found in the Book of Common Prayer, these include:
The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada is part of The Episcopal Church, which is the American branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church, grounded in the traditions of the early Church and the teachings of Jesus Christ, is a community that embraces a rich history of worship, service, and fellowship. As part of this broader tradition, the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada works in close relationship with other dioceses across the United States, sharing a commitment to the spiritual growth of its members and to living out Christ’s mission of justice and compassion in the world.
The Anglican Communion, a global fellowship of churches, includes over 85 million members spread across more than 165 countries. While each church within the Communion has its own unique cultural context, all share a commitment to the authority of scripture, the historic creeds, and the sacraments, including the Eucharist. Through this global connection, the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada is part of a larger community of faith that stretches across continents and embraces a wide diversity of cultures, all united by a shared love for Christ and a commitment to living out His teachings.
Together, The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion are bound by common worship, beliefs, and a shared history, and the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada plays its part in this rich and meaningful tradition.
The Episcopal Church is also a founding member of the World Council of Churches. The WCC is a fellowship of 352 churches from more than 120 countries, representing over 580 million Christians worldwide. It is the broadest and most inclusive among the many organized expressions of the modern ecumenical movement, a movement whose goal is Christian unity.