Do Episcopalians and other Anglicans concerned with the current direction of the church need another organization to join? Let's see, we already have Episcopalians United, the Episcopal Synod of America and Episcopal Renewal Ministries along with a few others. Then came the formation of the American Anglican Council [p. 6], somewhat of an "umbrella" organization which seems to have attracted followers from each of the aforementioned. Now we have the launching of the Ekklesia Society, formed "to promote biblical witness and encourage international cooperation among churches in the Anglican Communion."

The Ekklesia Society is unlike the others simply because of its international emphasis. It has offices in the U.S., West Africa, East Africa and the Caribbean, and soon plans to announce its organization in Asia and South America.

The Rev. Bill Atwood, rector of Trinity Church, Carrollton, Texas, general secretary of the society, said Ekklesia (Greek for assembly) is a reaffirmation of the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral (BCP, p. 876), which states the essentials for a reunited Christian church.

"There is also a great need to counteract the negative impact of a small influential group which seeks to revise the essential elements of the faith," he said.

The Ekklesia Society's literature lists some objectives: 1. A commitment to live out, and bear witness to, the historic biblical faith from within the church. 2. A commitment to link parishes in the U.S. and other industrialized nations with our brothers and sisters in the two-thirds world, to pursue the great commission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. 3. A commitment to offer opportunities for encouragement and education to help build the witness and evangelistic mission of the church to its full potential.

The society hopes to enroll individuals, parishes and dioceses. Bishops and other leaders around the world were contacted first before announcing the idea to the rest of the church.

"We are thrilled that the response has been so positive," Fr. Atwood said. "Our phone bills have gone through the roof."

One of the first major endeavors for Ekklesia will be a symposium on evangelism to be held in Dallas in October 1997.

In order to join Ekklesia, one needs to affirm the spiritual and theological elements of the Quadrilateral and either the sponsoring recommendations of two society members or a short essay describing one's understanding and commitment to each of the four elements of the Quadrilateral. The Ekklesia Society may be contacted at 1415 Halsey, Suite 320, Carrollton, TX 75007 or by calling 800-303-6267.

So do we need another organization for Episcopalians?

"We're not an '815' kind of Anglican," Fr. Atwood said, "but an Anglican Communion kind of Anglican."

Hmmm. Perhaps we do need this group.

David Kalvelage, editor