An Episcopal Church committee has released an interim report that reveals positive trends as well as concerns in declining membership and church conflicts.
In a brief assessment of facts and trends in the Episcopal Church, the 'State of the Church' report - issued by the House of Deputies Committee in November - indicated the need for a "plan for action" at all levels of the denomination in response to membership drops.
In 2006, the number of Episcopal churches growing by 10 per cent or more decreased, and the number declining in membership by 10 per cent increased, according to the report. Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) also dropped by three per cent in 2006 compared to one per cent the previous year.
An estimated 41 per cent of the attendance drop can be attributed to the departure of congregations from their dioceses.
And almost half of Episcopal parishes and missions have an ASA of 70 or less.
Conservative parishes and Anglicans discontent with the liberal direction of the Episcopal Church have left the American church body and realigned with like-minded churches from overseas.
The Episcopal Church - the US branch of Anglicanism - deepened rifts when it consecrated openly gay bishop V Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in 2003.
