Episcopal Survey Finds Diverse Beliefs

A survey of 2,000 members of the Episcopal Church indicates that diversity in belief is nearly as much a mark of identity as prayer book worship.

Results of the survey, sponsored by the Episcopal Church Foundation, are to be mailed to every parish. They show that more than 95% of those interviewed believe that Communion and liturgical worship according to the Book of Common Prayer are central to their religious lives.

On diversity, 78% believe members bring “a wide variety of perspectives” to congregations, and an equal number said Episcopalians are “more likely to ask questions than answer them.” Only 54% believe church traditions “clearly define right and wrong.”

The report includes these statistics: Episcopal membership has declined 36% from a peak of 3.6 million in 1967. However, between 1974 and 1997, average church attendance rose 31% and the number of confirmed adults increased 12%.

Since 1991, liquid assets of all Episcopal churches have grown from $1 billion to $2.8 billion.

Same-sex behavior and sexual morality in general are the church’s most divisive issues, according to the report, though in many congregations “these difficult questions were not the staple of daily life.”