Charles+ said: "We at least in theory and on paper have the right balance of Word and Sacrament."

This is one of the great beauties of the Anglican Church--one that kept me here after the God-centered worship first attracted me when I was 21.  Judy voluntarily but reluctantly became an Episcopalian when we were married in 1967.  The Church on paper looked good--less than that which she saw in practice.  It was what was "in theory and on paper" that reassured her enough to make the switch.  Of course, things only got much worse.

And the sad truth is that it is only "at least in theory" for too many of our congregations.  I try very hard to reflect this balance in my sermons.  But almost invariably after I make this case the only comment I hear is something like: "Weren"t the bells rung wrong this morning?"

Mark+ wrote (among other good things): "In the postmodern world, the Church is going to have to get back to the story. Doctrine remains important, not because it gives us a bunch a rules about God and ourselves, but BECAUSE it tells us how to read and live out that story correctly. And by reading and living out the Biblical metanarrative (to which I would add the history of the Church) that people's lives will be shaped and their faith nurtured."

Beautifully said, Mark+!  It is precisely the approach I am using in our newly reinstated Sunday School.  It is well received by those who attend, but it isn't needed by the cradle Episcopalians who shun it.

John+