The Average Episcopalian

Sisters Kate Greer and Annie Hodges attempt to tackle the mystery of God and the life of Jesus Christ with reason, humor, and deep curiosity through the lens of the church they love.

Ep. 26 - Mandatory Episcopalian Viewing: "The Prince of Egypt" 11/18/2024

Ep. 26 - Mandatory Episcopalian Viewing: "The Prince of Egypt" 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 turmoil when processing an Old Testament plague-sending God, and the ever-present dangers of hardening our hearts as Pharaoh did. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. More questions? Send us an email: [email protected]. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/33964072

Ep. 25 - Ask an Episcopalian: Listener Q&A, Part 2 09/27/2024

Ep. 25 - Ask an Episcopalian: Listener Q&A, Part 2 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 enjoy it! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. More questions? Send us an email: [email protected]. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/33229082

Ep. 24 - Stop Worrying And Start Worshiping: Our Quest to Understand the Trinity (feat. Rev. Matt Rossi) 09/09/2024

Ep. 24 - Stop Worrying And Start Worshiping: Our Quest to Understand the Trinity (feat. Rev. Matt Rossi) 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 matters to our faith. We didn't think it possible, but Matt blew up our obsession with definitions and replaced it with something better: excitement to worship. Buckle up, folks. You're in for a (long) good one. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/32963832

Ep. 23 - BCP Prayers for This Economy 08/19/2024

Ep. 23 - BCP Prayers for This Economy 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 on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/32629732

Ep. 22 - Make a Joyful Noise (or Just Any Noise) (feat. Mario Buchanan) 07/01/2024

Ep. 22 - Make a Joyful Noise (or Just Any Noise) (feat. Mario Buchanan) 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 town, and the vulnerability it takes to sing around others. We hope this episode leaves you singing the descant with pride! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/31956082

Ep. 21 - The One Where They Interview Each Other 04/17/2024

Ep. 21 - The One Where They Interview Each Other 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 Episcopal club… and much more! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/30858728

Ep. 20 - Sit Down, Be Humble: Wisdom from the Rule of Benedict 02/08/2024

Ep. 20 - Sit Down, Be Humble: Wisdom from the Rule of Benedict In the world of LinkedIn announcements and Instagram humble brags, does the old-fashioned virtue of humility have anything to offer? Today’s episode uses the framework of St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility to explore why humility is necessary and life-giving for all who follow Christ. We discover that humility is the true root of confidence, listening plays a critical role in how we love others, and humility is like a lazy river in which we need to just let go. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/29853548

Ep. 19 - The Greatest Snack Time of All (feat. Father Cody Turner) 11/27/2023

Ep. 19 - The Greatest Snack Time of All (feat. Father Cody Turner) Eucharist. Communion. The Last Supper. The Great Thanksgiving. It’s the focal point of our worship service, but what does this bread-breaking really mean? We’ve brought in an expert to discuss. Father Cody Turner is the Curate for Worship at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas. In this educational and approachable conversation, we talk about what it means to “live into” the sacraments, the meaning of “real presence” in the bread and wine, what Episcopalians believe about communion, why children take communion in our church, and more. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/28795468

Ep. 18 - Seek, Serve, Love: Renewing Our Baptismal Vows 09/29/2023

Ep. 18 - Seek, Serve, Love: Renewing Our Baptismal Vows Whether you were baptized last week or 50 years ago, we all have a lot to learn from the baptismal covenant. In today's episode, Annie & Kate break down the baptism piece-by-piece, discussing in depth what the covenant means to us. Reciting the baptismal covenant as a congregation reminds us of the path we're on, and who we strive to be. In this episode, we talk about the difference between a covenant and a contract, the role of community in baptism, and why "we will, with God's help". Stay tuned until the end for our spicy new segment, "Kate's Controversial Questions", where we discuss infant baptism and more! Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/28177283

Ep. 17 - Romanticizing Your Sheep Life: Modern Wisdom Debates, Part 2 06/30/2023

Ep. 17 - Romanticizing Your Sheep Life: Modern Wisdom Debates, Part 2 Our culture is obsessed with avoiding suffering at all costs, and a lot of that is enforced by the “wisdom” plastered all over TikTok and other social media platforms. “Romanticize your life.” “Let go of what doesn’t serve you.” “Cut people out of your life.” Do these modern-day sentiments bring us closer or further away from Christ? We attempt to analyze these rules for living, discussing the lack of nuance in short-term video content, why we should depend on one another on purpose, and learning how to embrace the mess. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. (Yes, we see the irony in that plug.) /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/27334119

Ep. 16 - It's All About Relationships (feat. Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed) 05/01/2023

Ep. 16 - It's All About Relationships (feat. Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed) Many of us know “fellowship” to mean sharing donuts and laughs at coffee hour. But what does Christian fellowship mean on a deeper level? Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed is the rector of Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, Ohio, and she played an instrumental role in creating community in Annie and Kate’s home church. Charlotte is here to share her stories of the priesthood, teaching us about fostering community in a broken church, what community means to Episcopalians, and the importance of community in the world at large. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/26697654

Ep. 15 - Lent: The Great Punch in the Face 02/21/2023

Ep. 15 - Lent: The Great Punch in the Face Lent: a season of penitence and self-denial in preparation for Easter. Join us as we ramble through the liturgical calendar of Lent day by day, reflecting on the symbolism of our Episcopalian traditions and sharing what the season means to us. We talk about giving stuff up, foot washing, returning to dust, and more. Follow along this Lenten season: @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/25994406

Ep. 14 - Ask an Episcopalian: Listener Q&A 02/03/2023

Ep. 14 - Ask an Episcopalian: Listener Q&A You asked, we answered! It’s the first ever Listener Q&A. We cover a variety of topics in this episode: common misconceptions about the Episcopal Church, a friendly “Prayer of Humble Access” debate, what Episcopalians "should” believe, and our favorite faith-related books. Don’t miss the next Q&A! Follow us on Instagram @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/25821951

Ep. 13 - Sit Down and Shut Up: It's Advent! 12/05/2022

Ep. 13 - Sit Down and Shut Up: It's Advent! If you haven’t yet delved into the magic of this Advent season, it’s not too late!! We’re here to discuss the significance of waiting and preparation in what can feel like the busiest season of the year, and why it’s important to listen to the call to “sit down and shut up”. We share practical ways that we practice Advent, the meaning behind all those candles, and why Advent is technically good for your mental health. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/25220127

Ep. 12 - Am I Saved? And Should I Care? 10/31/2022

Ep. 12 - Am I Saved? And Should I Care? In this episode, Kate & Annie are asking the same thing that those billboard signs on the highway ask you: “Are You Saved???” Salvation is a central focus in many denominations of Christianity, but how do Episcopalians see it? There are varying views in the church, and we’re here to add to that mix. We discuss what it means to be “saved”, why humans obsess over who goes to hell, and whether salvation is more like a warm fuzzy feeling or a pot of stew. Follow us on Instagram @average.episcopalian. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/24848913

Ep. 11 - The Ex-Vangelical to Episcopalian Pipeline (feat. Drew Crowson) 10/03/2022

Ep. 11 - The Ex-Vangelical to Episcopalian Pipeline (feat. Drew Crowson) We have our first ever guest! Drew Crowson was an ordained Baptist minister when he realized that his church was like a pair of pants that just didn’t fit anymore. His faith journey has led him around the world (literally… to Europe & the Middle East) and ultimately to his role of High School & Young Adults Minister at Annie’s Episcopal church in Dallas, Texas. In today’s episode, we cover everything from deconstruction, to different denominational views of the Bible, to theological splits in the evangelical church, to liturgy and ritual. We learned a lot from Drew’s unique life path and his dry sense of humor, and we hope you laugh and learn too. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/24561729

Ep. 10 - Those Episkopols Are At It Again 09/06/2022

Ep. 10 - Those Episkopols Are At It Again We're back! After a brief and unexpected hiatus, we’re here with a glorified book review of one of our favorites: “Those Episkopols” by Dennis Maynard. Even if you haven’t read it, you’ll still want to listen! This book has guided us for many years on our spiritual journeys, and today we’ll pontificate on 4 of our favorite quotes and their implications. Topics include: salvation, certainty, heaven, and hard-to-swallow pills. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/24282171

Ep. 9 - We Still Don't Know How to Pray 05/09/2022

Ep. 9 - We Still Don't Know How to Pray The title says it all. While prayer might seem simple on the surface, it sometimes feels impossible to execute in our daily lives. In today’s episode, we dive deep into the wisdom of the catechism to try and get over our struggles with prayer. Is prayer a means to a solution? Does yoga class count as prayer? What about the infuriating “thoughts & prayers” culture? Why should we thank God for our suffering? We do our best to discuss these questions and more. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/23045729

Ep. 8 - Am I a Pharisee? 04/06/2022

Ep. 8 - Am I a Pharisee? The Pharisees: the ultimate New Testament “bad guys” and a cautionary tale for those of us pursuing ethical lives. In this episode, Annie & Kate pontificate on 4 “Pharisee Behaviors” and how easy it is to fall into each of them. What do lemons, donkeys, Star Wars and donuts teach us about leadership? You’ll have to listen to find out. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/22696862

Ep. 7 - Jesus Is Not Thor 03/10/2022

Ep. 7 - Jesus Is Not Thor In this episode, we’re discussing the easy breezy topic of Incarnational Theology, inspired by a sermon by Rev. Dr. Dan Matthews. The incarnation is a central component of Christianity, and to Episcopalians it means something extra special. Annie & Kate attempt to define this mystical concept, involving rants and tangents on heaven, baptism, and Harry Potter. If you’ve ever heard Episcopalians described as “a Christmas people”, this episode will explain why. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/22386917

Ep. 6 - Jesus's Job Was Really Annoying: Modern Wisdom Debates, Part 1 02/22/2022

Ep. 6 - Jesus's Job Was Really Annoying: Modern Wisdom Debates, Part 1 Annie & Kate dissect and debate modern day spiritual-ish TikTok wisdom. Is the idea of main character energy ruining our society? (Most likely not.) Do we owe our neighbors explanations for our behavior or emotions? (Maybe.) Does exercising self-love make me selfish? (It's complicated.) Join us for an honest spar/reflection on the pros and cons of trendy spirituality. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/22210697

Ep. 5 - Forgiveness, Part 2: Should we, as Christians, Accept your YouTuber Apology? 12/01/2021

Ep. 5 - Forgiveness, Part 2: Should we, as Christians, Accept your YouTuber Apology? In Part 1, the focus was on reconciling with God (confession). In Part 2, the focus is on how to ask for forgiveness (repentance), how to forgive others (reconciliation), and how to forgive yourself (self love). Forgiveness is not a very popular value in our culture today, but Annie and Kate are here to sing its praises, bemoan its difficulties, and discuss practical ways to exercise forgiveness-- even when it's really hard. Buckle up; we're giggly in this episode. Forgive us!! /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/21339146

Ep. 4 - Forgiveness, Part 1: What Can Miley Cyrus Tell Us About Confession? 11/12/2021

Ep. 4 - Forgiveness, Part 1: What Can Miley Cyrus Tell Us About Confession? CONFESSION: the word has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different kinds of Christians. In Episode 4, Annie and Kate dive headfirst into the concept of "forgive us our trespasses." Why is confession of sins important for Christians? Why do Episcopalians say their confessional prayer out loud as a congregation? And what on earth can Miley Cyrus's 2013 hardcore party album "Bangerz" teach us about confessing our sins? /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/21139196

Ep. 3 - Liturgy is Lit 09/27/2021

Ep. 3 - Liturgy is Lit So what’s the deal with all of the kneeling and standing? Why do our services have recited prayer? Why are we such stans of the Book of Common Prayer? In this episode, we’re tackling all things liturgy. We answer questions from liturgy-haters who think structure makes church boring. And at the end of the episode, we do our best to break down an Episcopal service structure and why each component is meaningful-- or dare we say “lit”. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/20605973

Ep. 2 - How to Ruin Christianity 08/16/2021

Ep. 2 - How to Ruin Christianity Many of the reasons people are turned off by Christianity can be boiled down to one thing: self-righteousness. In this episode Annie and Kate admit to our own self-righteousness, debate the role that “the self” plays in our modern-day culture of self-love, and outline our 5 red flags of self-righteousness in Christianity. Follow us on Instagram: @average.episcopalian /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/20149190

Ep. 1 - Is the Church Broken Beyond Repair? 08/08/2021

Ep. 1 - Is the Church Broken Beyond Repair? In our inaugural episode, we are taking on a very easy topic: the future of Christianity itself, and specifically the future of the Episcopal church. We dive deep into our own journeys of leaving and coming back to the church, talk about what Episcopalianism brings to the table in the modern age, and explore the “all organized religion is toxic” argument. /episode/index/show/averageepiscopalian/id/20071211

The Average Episcopalian

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