A few days after the Episcopal Synod of America issued a letter expressing concern for the Episcopal Church [TLC, Aug. 17], another conservative organization has addressed the state of the church following General Convention.

The American Anglican Council (AAC), a newly formed organization based in Dallas, issued a press release which addresses "growing division" within the Episcopal Church. The Rt. Rev. James M. Stanton, Bishop of Dallas and president of the AAC, had told the House of Bishops on the last day of General Convention that "many are alarmed and concerned" by continuing divisions in the church. He referred specifically to what the press release called "coercion of women's ordination and affirmation of homosexual unions."

AAC leaders were not entirely pessimistic about the church or about the convention.

"We believe God is raising up a movement of orthodox Episcopalians who will defend biblical faith and practice in the conventions and councils of the church," said Diane Knippers, treasurer of AAC and president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy. "One of the thrills of the General Convention was to watch dozens and dozens of Episcopalians testifying on behalf of biblical values in all the major committees on most of the major issues."

The leadership of AAC said the most positive thing to come out of General Convention was the definition of doctrine which a resolution adopted said was "the basic and essential teachings of the church ... found in the canons of holy scripture, as understood in the Apostles and Nicene creeds, and in the sacramental rites, ordinal and catechism in the Book of Common Prayer."

Bishop Stanton addressed the election of the Rt. Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Bishop of Chicago, as Presiding Bishop. "To the many faithful congregations, clergy and laity of the church ... who are anguished by the apparent willingness of some in the leadership of the church to bless, condone and promote sexual practices clearly at odds with the whole of the biblical pattern and with historic Christian teaching - a teaching which is still the norm, be it noted, of this church and of other provinces of the Anglican Communion - we pledge that we will stand with you."

Following convention, AAC's board of directors affirmed its support of "biblically orthodox women priests" and also with those who do not recognize the priesthood of women.

"We will resist any action that would coerce violation of biblically informed conscience on the subject of women's ordination and we will not recognize any penalties imposed by any juridical body to that end," said Roger Boltz, administrative director of AAC.

Mr. Boltz said AAC's board agreed to establish a process to assist parishes that find themselves unable to receive ministry from a doctrinally compromised bishop. "We will first seek to provide sacramental support through official channels," Mr. Boltz said.

"We are prayerfully committed to providing episcopal ministry and oversight to parishes in need. To this end we will take council with other Anglicans to develop specific guidelines that will meet the needs of parishes and preserve catholic order. Faithful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the spiritual needs of the people take precedence over geographical boundaries."

AAC also addressed financial stewardship, encouraging parishes and vestries to support dioceses and church agencies which pursue "faithful ministry and mission," and said it also will "support those who seek ways to direct their tithes away from projects and purposes that are clearly contrary" to scripture.

"We are prepared to get on with the work of ministry, with or without the support of the General Convention, the national church office or the Presiding Bishop," Mr. Boltz said.