Dear Friends,

Many years ago, someone passed along an observation that has meant a great deal to me: “The Episcopal Church cares more about informing consciences than about dictating behavior.” In most circumstances since I first heard those words, I have found them to be true.

It is safe to say that the axiom has not always been well received. That is, at times people want to be told what to believe or how to act in clearer ways than the Episcopal Church usually does. For instance, I remember a young adult woman in a parish I served – a woman who was investigating our church by means of an inquirers’ class. We had our struggles as she demanded to be told what the church believed about this issue or that one, and I usually responded by encouraging her to consider various perspectives (within bounds), with charity toward all. Eventually, she decided to stop attending the class – and not to be confirmed – because she was uncomfortable with the freedom that the Episcopal Church offers. She also was not comfortable with the subsequent personal responsibility that results from such an environment of freedom.

Another consequence of attending more to consciences than to behaviors is an assorted mixture of deeply held convictions within the church – convictions that may be acted out in behaviors that are quite different from each other. As a result, we have a wonderful variety of perspectives, points of view and opinions in the Episcopal Church. And sometimes that variety challenges us in maintaining who we are – our identity – as well as holding ourselves together as a church.

The triennial General Convention will take place this summer in Minneapolis. That event always brings together the diversity that enriches and challenges our church. And we certainly do not hide that diversity and variety from the world, either! In fact, I expect that you will have many opportunities to read a good deal about our differences of opinion on any number of matters.

Another event that has called forth our diversity of perspectives is the war and subsequent actions in Iraq. U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is an Episcopalian, as are many who have objected publicly to the war. In this issue of The East Tennessee Episcopalian, our editor has included several articles and letters articulating differing points of view on our country’s actions and responsibilities toward Iraq. Such diversity continues to enrich our common life, even as it challenges us, for we Episcopalians claim the reality of diversity as important for our heritage and our identity.

I pray that we may always give thanks to God for the Episcopal Church, which nurtures our consciences so that our behaviors may seek to follow the way of Jesus Christ, wherever that way may lead.