General Convention Considers Liturgical Issues
Episcopal News Service. July 19, 2000 [GC2000-092]
Genie Carr, Freelance Writer
(ENS) Issues of worship and ministry occupied the 73rd General Convention legislatively, as deputies and bishops considered a number of resolutions dealing with liturgical practice and vocational polity.
The ministry of the laity received particular attention, on its own and in the language of resolutions dealing with other ministries. In one resolution, the Standing Commission on Ministry Development was directed to develop appropriate canons for the adjudication of disputes and due process for licensed lay persons, and to develop appropriate canons for lay persons and their ministries (C011).
Active ministry of the baptized has grown in congregations and dioceses, the resolution notes, but rules for licensed lay ministries and other lay involvement are confusing, or lacking, in cases of disagreements and misconduct.
The convention also noted the growing number of vocational deacons and their role in the church, a role that has become subject to debate and discussion (C033). What duties vocational deacons are given differ among dioceses, so an attempt will be made to discern and regulate their role on a national level. After reviewing that role, the ministry development commission will recommend canons to establish norms for their participation at all levels of the church.
Looking toward possible changes in the Title III canons that deal with ministry, the commission prepared a paper, "Toward a Theology of Baptized and Ordained Ministry," which will be the basis for review and possible revision of the canons. The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music was directed to work closely with the ministry development commission in preparing for the 74th General Convention any proposed changes to the Ordinal in the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Occasional Services (A073, A076).
Trial use of The Revised Common Lectionary will continue for the next triennium (A063), and the use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer for special occasions was reaffirmed (B042a).
The canon regarding authorized versions of the Bible and their liturgical use was amended to indicate that the lessons prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer shall be read from "versions of the Bible, including those in languages other than English, which shall be authorized by diocesan bishops for use within their dioceses or in specific ministries" (A070). Authorized versions are numerous, the resolution's explanation notes, ranging from the 17thcentury King James or Authorized Version to the New Revised Standard Version of 1987. Therefore, "the proliferation of biblical translations. ..makes it impractical for the church to authorize specific versions for use in worship as a matter of canon law."
In response to those who continue to be dissatisfied with the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, the convention voted to apologize "to any members of this Church who were offended or alienated by inappropriate or uncharitable behavior during the time of transition" to the 1979 prayer book (B034).
Supplemental liturgical materials were authorized, including "Ministry with the sick and dying" and "Burial of a child," to be published in Enriching Our Worship II (A069). In addition, songs such as "Deep river," "Swing low, sweet chariot," "Give me Jesus," "I'm agoing to eat at the welcome table," "Jesus loves me, this I know," and "Free at last" from Lift Every Voice and Sing were approved for addition to the musical resources already suggested in Enriching Our Worship (B017).
Some critics of the Prayers of the People in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer have said that they are "maintenance-oriented," not "mission-oriented" or "evangelism-oriented." An allocation of $10,000 will be used to reformat, reprint and mail to congregations "New Prayers of the People and New Additions to the Existing Prayers," collected by the Episcopal Network for Evangelism (D062). The resolution also calls for use of the Prayers of the People of "A New Zealand Prayer Book
Bishops were not omitted from the liturgical considerations of the convention. A 1998 Lambeth Conference resolution on the importance of bishops being faithful in praying the daily offices was affirmed, and bishops were urged to recommit themselves to that spiritual discipline. They were also were urged to encourage their clergy and people in the discipline of daily prayer (DO48).