Episcopal Church future talk often centers on decline, but leaders pushed back in Charlotte. The church has lost about half its baptized membership since the 1960s, and it now counts about 1.5 million adherents. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe rejected the “doomed” storyline, and he called it a lie. He spoke on March 4 at the Episcopal Parish Network conference in downtown Charlotte. More than 850 clergy and leaders gathered, and most said they felt optimistic.
Parishes Rebound, But Grief Lingers
Some congregations slipped during COVID-19, but several report renewed energy. The Rev. Henrietta “Rhetta” Wiley said Trinity Episcopal in Towson has rebounded. The church runs a preschool and a thrift store, so it stays visible in the community. Leaders also named grief, because the denomination once held cultural power. Progress on women’s ordination and LGBTQ inclusion fueled conflict, and social justice priorities also reshaped identity.
Schism Shapes the Present
The 2003 consecration of Gene Robinson triggered a major exodus, and many formed the Anglican Church in North America. While the Episcopal Church has continued to shrink, ACNA has grown. Wiley said leaders now work to build community across factions. They try to connect people who look backward with those who look forward, and they aim to stay grounded in Christ.
A Push for Bible Confidence and Public Witness
Speakers urged a stronger witness rooted in Jesus and Scripture, but without aggression. The Rev. Scott Gunn said “Christian niceness” can mute outreach, and he argued that fear should not drive silence. Rowe also warned that social statements can sound like policy chatter. He urged moral clarity, so the Episcopal Church’s future can sound less like political noise.
Democracy, Faith, and the Debate Over Direction
Author Jonathan Rauch said faith values once steadied democracy, but polarization now fills the void. He pointed to “thick Christianity,” and he highlighted courage, imitation of Jesus, and forgiveness. Sherrilyn Ifill urged participation in democracy because separation is not an option. Supporters say this renewed clarity can strengthen the Episcopal Church’s future and help rebuild a sense of belonging.
‘A lie from the pit of hell’: Episcopal leaders push back on rumors of fatal decline
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