The Average Episcopalian

Consider this episode your approachable and mostly-accurate introductory course on governance in the Episcopal Church. You might be asking… "Why do churches need structure? Isn't structure the thing that makes religion toxic?" Perhaps, but perhaps not. Professors Annie & Kate laugh their way through the "what" and "why" of each level of oversight in the church, from bishops and conventions to vest...

We have officially entered the liturgical season of "Ordinary Time", and we're wondering… does ordinary just mean boring? Our guest today, Rev. Jordan Griesbeck, claims to be just an ordinary priest descended from a long line of accountants, but his insights on this topic are anything but ordinary. In our conversation, we come to the shocking realization that we might love the liturgical calendar...

Remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy. This is perhaps one of the most overlooked of the 10 commandments in modern civilization, and that makes it worthy of  a deeper dive. Today, we are attempting to figure out how to make time for rest in a sea of full calendars and endless to-do lists. We remind ourselves that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath, and of the "why" behind t...

What is worship, and why do we do it? In today's episode we're dissecting the Episcopalian perspective of worship, including questions about sacrifices, reflections on adoration, and our own misconceptions and hesitations. In the end, worship is something that unifies us with God and with one another, and we hope this conversation inspires you to pursue that union with a lifted heart. Bonus: a len...

Three nerds walk into an Episcopal church… and begin to question whether or not science and religion are compatible. Is that how the joke goes? In this episode, we welcome fellow Episcopalian podcaster (and fellow nerd) Rev. Ben Wyatt to help us tackle our questions about science and Christianity. Ben's degrees in physics, religion, and counseling are put to the test as we grill him on dinosaurs,...

Sometimes we all need a reminder to choose prayer over despair. In today's episode, we're doing another review of 4 of our favorite prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. These prayers challenge us to be meek (watch out brats, it's Meek Summer 2026) and they remind us that even though it can feel like evil is winning, God sustains. Can't get enough of the Average Episcopalian? Visit our webiste &...

Confession: we've never really paid that much attention to Epiphany. After the wonder and festivities of Advent and Christmas, this liturgical season can often get overlooked. But that changes today! In this very average discussion, we get back to our roots: "definition time"! We share what we know about the three wise men (it's not much), learn about Epiphany traditions (why chalk on the door?),...

He's backkkkkk! Father Drew Crowson, friend of the podcast, curate at St. Paul's Prosper, and up-and-coming church planter, has returned to teach us about evangelism-- or how to spread the Good News without getting embarrassed. We discuss why Episcopalians are scared of evangelism, good and bad forms of evangelism, and why we all still need to try anyway. Drew also shares his current reflections o...

It's time for another Listener Q&A! In this episode, we answer your wide-ranging questions that include topics like: when to cross yourself during a service, what Episcopal traditions we'd pass down to our theoretical children, our experience with purity culture, and how to ~officially~ become an Episcopalian. We love recording these episodes, so thanks for submitting your nosiest inquiries! Can't...

We've all rushed through the Lord's Prayer. But should we be rushing? Our guest Pat Stone teaches classes across the country on the Lord's Prayer, and she is here to help us pause and consider what this prayer that Jesus gave us really means. We learned that each line of the prayer is simultaneously independent and communal, whether god really "leads us" into temptation, and why this prayer is a c...

It's time for Anglican history class-- average version! Today's episode is an overview of some notable figures in Episcopal history that we think you should know. Our eccentric list includes Episcopalians with historical significance, who contributed to our theology, who spoke up for important issues, famous people, and even fictional people! We cover topics like the infamous "three-legged stool",...

Cozy up with your coffee for a conversation about confirmation, questioning, listening, and more with the women who sponsored us for our own confirmation! Susan Mailey (Kate's confirmation sponsor) and Janet Daniels (Annie's confirmation sponsor) are dear friends, sage mentors, and fellow Episcopalians with abundant wisdom to share. We had so much fun discussing the sacrament of confirmation and w...

The Prayers of the People are a staple in the Episcopalian service, but they're also reminiscent of a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, with forms and collects abounding. We're here to discuss the many forms that intercessory prayer can take and why it matters to pray in unison for our world and for each other. We break down the structure of the prayers, discuss why we pray for government official...

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus said (Matthew 22:39). Okay… but how??? Who is my neighbor? What if they are really annoying? In today's episode, we're considering how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our daily lives and in our neighborhoods. We propose tactical, tangible ways to turn "love" into action, share unsolicited opinions about service leaflets, reflect on how our liv...

Liturgical Calendar 101 is in session. In this episode, we break down the seasons of the Episcopal church. We review the history of the liturgical calendar, discuss whether or not it's Biblical, reflect on how it connects us to humanity and to history, and share personal practices that help us engage more with the church seasons. Why do the altar dressings change colors? What is a lectionary? What...

Wendell Kimbrough, singer, songwriter, worship leader and friend, is here to teach us what the Psalms are really about. Christians have wrestled with this collection of poems and prayers throughout the ages. How can we find meaning in them today? Wendell went from arguing about Calvinism as a teen to leading Anglican worship services, where he learned to embrace the emotional side of spirituality....

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...

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...

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 dis...

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 turmoi...

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 en...

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 m...

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...

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 tow...

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 Episcopa...