Episcopal Church vs. Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Attribute	Episcopal Church	Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Denomination	Episcopal	Presbyterian
Beliefs	Trinitarian	Reformed
Worship Style	Liturgical	Varies
Church Government	Episcopal	Presbyterian
Ordination of Women	Allowed	Allowed

Beliefs and Doctrine

The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church are both Christian denominations, but they have some differences in their beliefs and doctrines. The Episcopal Church is known for its liturgical worship style and its adherence to the Book of Common Prayer. It places a strong emphasis on tradition, sacraments, and the authority of bishops. On the other hand, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a more conservative denomination that emphasizes the authority of scripture and the importance of personal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Worship Style

When it comes to worship style, the Episcopal Church tends to have a more formal and structured approach. Liturgical worship services often include rituals, prayers, and hymns that have been passed down through generations. The use of incense, candles, and vestments is common in Episcopal worship. In contrast, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church typically has a more informal and contemporary worship style. Services may include contemporary music, spontaneous prayers, and a focus on preaching and teaching from the Bible.

Church Governance

Church governance is another area where the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church differ. The Episcopal Church is hierarchical in structure, with bishops serving as the highest authority in each diocese. The presiding bishop is the head of the entire denomination. In contrast, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church is governed by a system of elders and presbyters. Each local congregation has a session of elders who make decisions for the church, and representatives from each congregation gather in presbyteries and general assemblies to make decisions for the denomination as a whole.

Views on Social Issues

Both the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church have taken stances on various social issues. The Episcopal Church is known for its progressive views on issues such as LGBTQ rights, women's ordination, and social justice. It has been vocal in its support for marriage equality and the rights of marginalized communities. On the other hand, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church tends to hold more conservative views on these issues. It typically upholds traditional views on marriage, gender roles, and other social issues.

Membership and Size

In terms of membership and size, the Episcopal Church is larger and more established than the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The Episcopal Church has approximately 1.7 million members in the United States and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It has a long history in the United States and a presence in many communities. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, on the other hand, is a smaller denomination with around 145,000 members. It was formed in the 1980s as a result of a split within the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

Conclusion

While the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church are both Christian denominations, they have distinct differences in their beliefs, worship styles, church governance, views on social issues, and membership size. The Episcopal Church is known for its liturgical worship, hierarchical structure, progressive views on social issues, and larger membership. In contrast, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has a more informal worship style, elder-led governance, conservative views on social issues, and a smaller membership. Both denominations have unique strengths and contributions to make to the broader Christian community.