From Reading PA-
The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church has a few words she doesn't care for. Evangelism isn't one of them.
Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori highlighted "the dangerous 'E' word" in her message to members of the Diocese of Bethlehem in Lebanon earlier this month, admitting the word is toxic to most Episcopalians.
Her message during Evensong was less a sermon and more an optimistic report on the state of the denomination.
She called the attention of her flock, including a number from Berks, to the goals of "reconciling the world to God and working for a healed world." She said the church should be known as a Domestic and Foreign Mission Society and its members as agents of change.
Jefferts Schori offered a five-point message, doubled. She ticked off five marks of mission the church has adopted: proclaim the good news; teach, baptize and nurture its members; relieve human suffering; change the unjust structures of society; care for the Earth.
She also offered five different ways to implement the marks: to grow congregations in their ability to practice mission; identify and evangelize the community; emphasize education and formation for all ages; battle poverty and injustice in intentional ways; develop networks, partnerships and covenant relationships.
Regarding evangelism, the bishop said she hoped Episcopalians would feel as comfortable sharing the good news about Jesus as about a new restaurant they had discovered. On education, she suggested they use their brains, not just their ears.
More here-
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=171807
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