Deacon School for Ministry

Traditions of the Church Competencies

Goal: This area of study will equip the candidate with skills and reference materials necessary to articulate the rich, full-bodied heritage of the Episcopal Church to inquirers and those interested in learning more about the relevance of the church in today’s world.

Methodology: The material needed for successful completion of this component will be acquired through a combination of discussion, exercises, readings and group work. Study of Year three of EFM would be very helpful, along with selected readings.

Requirements: For successful completion of this unit the postulant/candidate will attend the weekend retreat; fulfill the reading requirements; and complete the research requirements. The research requirements may be completed in writing or by presentation to the examining chaplain. Written responses should be completed using the required and supplemental texts. Please limit your responses to two to three pages using proper documentation of sources.

Research the history of your parish or mission church. When was it founded? How was it formed? For what purpose? Who were the founders? How has it changed and developed over the years?

Select four from the following:

· How has the Eucharist changed from the early church until today? Do you agree with these changes? What changes would you recommend to the contemporary Eucharist service?

· A schism developed between the Eastern and Western Churches. What issues led up to this? What do you believe it would take for a reconciliation?

· We are a creedal church. What does this mean? How were our creeds developed? How are they used in the liturgy?

· A Deacon should be able to plan and conduct confirmation classes. Plan a confirmation program, and present one class.

· Episcopalians are “People of the Book.” The Book of Common Prayer is central to our worship. Research the history of its development and list major changes which have occurred.

· Select one tradition of the church that you are interested in, and investigate its development. How has it changed over the years?

· What was the manner and method of Baptism in the early church? What was the role of the bishop? What led to baptism and confirmation becoming one service? Discuss how you would prepare an adult, or a child’s parents and God parents for Baptism.

· Discuss how the Old Testament and Pauline view of the role of women was influenced by the culture of the times. How does the church view the role of women in the church today? How has this developed?

· Discuss the nature of the Reformation on the European Continent and its effects on the Church in England. What were the reasons and conflicts that led the English Church to break with Rome?

· Discuss the developments leading up to the consecration of Samuel Seabury and the significance of this event for the soon to be established Episcopal Church in the United States.

· Discuss the polity of our church and canon law. Why is the Episcopacy important? What is the make-up and function of the General Convention and the Executive Council? Please include an explanation of parochial and diocesan structure. How does this process work in the selection of bishops, priests and other clergy?

Required Readings: (three books)

Holmes, David L. A Brief History of the Episcopal Church. Harrisburg. Trinity Press International, 1993. ISBN: 1-56338-060-9.

Prichard, Robert W. A History of the Episcopal Church. Wilton, Ct.: Morehouse Publishing, 1991. ISBN: 0-8192-1828-6.

AND

Lee, Jeffrey. Opening the Prayer Book. (The New Church’s Teaching Series). Boston: Cowley Publications, 1999. ISBN: 1-56101-166-5.

Thompsett, Fredrich Harris. Living With History (The New Church’s Teaching Series). Boston: Cowley Publications,1999. ISBN: 1-56101-160-6.

Other books which would be helpful:

Booty, John E. The Church in History. New York: The Seabury Press, 1979.

Black, Vicki K. Welcome to the Church Year, an Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church. Wilton, Ct.: Morehouse Publishing, 2004. ISBN: 0-8192-1966-5.

Capon, Robert F. The Astonished Heart: Reclaiming the Good News from the Lost-and –Found of the Church History. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1996.: ISBN: 0-8028-0791-7.

Hatchett, Marion J. Commentary on the American Prayer Book. San Francisco: Harper, 1995. ISBN: 0-06-063554-1.

Hein, David and Gardiner H. Shattuck, Jr. The Episcopalians. New York: Church Publishing, 2004. ISBN: 0-89869-497-3.

Sumner, David E. The Episcopal Church’s History 1945-1985. Wilton, Ct.: Morehouse Publishing, 1987. ISBN: 0-8192-1515-5

Walton, Robert C. Chronological and Background Charts of Church History. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986. ISBN:0-310-36281-4.

Webber, Christopher L. Welcome to Sunday, an Introduction to Worship in the Episcopal Church. Wilton, Ct.: Morehouse Publishing, 2003. ISBN: 0-8192-1915-0.