The three recent meetings at Boulder City, Nev. [p. 9] have special interest at this time of attention to small churches, an attention strongly supported by this magazine. Episcopalians have become increasingly a church of small congregations. Many of them, as recent articles in this magazine have shown, are very fine congregations. Yet the fact is that many face grave problems. Many worship in charming old buildings that unfortunately bear the marks of delayed maintenance - a polite term for the neglect of repairs which become more costly year after year. Many small churches, indeed virtually all of the very small ones, have been perennially unable to provide adequate support for a full-time rector or vicar, unrealistically regarded as the norm.

Episcopalians have generally looked to the priest not only for sermons and sacraments, but for teaching, social outreach, evangelism, and all phases of pastoral care. If all this is expected of the clergy, then, when a priest is absent, the congregation can easily become paralyzed and static - especially in so-called missions where all decision-making has been in the priest's hands. Dioceses have usually subsidized clergy salaries, but money for this purpose is not endless, and the small church remains something of a beggar at the diocesan convention. One priest is often assigned to serve two or more "yoked" congregations. This can never be fully successful since a priest and family (if any) cannot possibly be resident citizens integrated into two or more different localities. In addition to the problem of inadequate salaries, many clergy have not been attuned to the realities of life in a small community (whether it be in outer country or inner city).

All of this and other factors have led to complex situations calling for drastic remedies. Many, including those at the Boulder City meetings, are looking increasingly to the teaching of the missionary prophet Roland Allen for a pattern that is truly rooted in catholic tradition, with informed lay people who feel ownership and responsibility for their churches, and with clergy who are resident and permanent neighbors, friends, and fellow citizens within their local communities.