For many years this magazine has tried to emphasize parish life without diminishing the importance of the diocese, the national church or the wider Anglican Communion. Strong, vital parishes can help to make a healthy diocese. Effective dioceses can influence and strengthen the Episcopal Church.

For a large number of Episcopalians, their parish church is all that matters. While that approach may smack of congregationalism, it is in the parish where they find fellowship, in the parish where the sacraments are administered, in the parish where such elements as evangelism and stewardship are most effective.

In many parishes, the only link its members have with the diocese is when the bishop comes for an annual visitation. Members active at the local level may know nothing of the national church except when some church-related scandal is reported in their local newspapers. As for the Anglican Communion, we would guess there are Episcopalians who do not know they are also Anglicans.

Looking toward the next millennium, it is not difficult to predict that parishes will become even more important. Downsizing and decentralization already has begun at national church headquarters, and many dioceses are undergoing similar reductions in staff and program. The national church may rely on the provinces to administer programs, and some dioceses may delegate ministries to their deaneries. The parish will continue to be, and will, in fact, increase its role as the place where the action is.

With this in mind, we present this special Parish Administration Issue, one of four we publish each year. It is an attempt to present articles of interest to those who are the administrators of parishes, usually the clergy. Much of the work of building strong, vital parishes will fall on their shoulders. At the same time, we hope they continue to stress upon their members that we are members of a wider fellowship.