Ten Guidelines for the Future

The Rt. Rev. Harry Shipps, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Georgia, offers the ten guidelines for the future in the newsletter of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Savannah:

1. The Church is a community into which all are invited.
2. The Church is the people, not a building.
3. Public Worship, keeping the New Covenant every Lord's Day, is a fact of life for Christians.
4. The Episcopal Church is not a congregational church, but rather a hierarchical church.
5. The basic "unit" of The Episcopal Church is the diocese, not a parish.
6. Evangelism is a Biblical mandate.
7. Tithing, 10% is Biblical and the standard teaching of The Episcopal Church.
8. A comprehensive and united plan for the future is essential.
9. None of us is indispensable, nor is any one parish.
10. Be willing to do something for the first time.