In a spirited two-part address, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina, called for transformation of the diocese into a "missionary outpost," one in which all its members are determined to "make disciples and make a difference."

Responses collected from round-table discussion groups, which followed the address to diocesan convention Feb. 1-3 in Winston-Salem, showed there was considerable excitement about the bishop's ideas, but also some trepidation about how they could be put into action.

Bishop Suffragan J. Gary Gloster endorsed Bishop Curry's missionary diocese initiative in his own address, focusing on its "making a difference" aspect.

The Rev. Canon Bill Lewellis, communications director in the Diocese of Bethlehem and keynote speaker at the convention banquet, reminded delegates that "a communication ministry that does not proclaim the gospel, however sophisticated that ministry may be, is not a Christian communication ministry."

Deputies responded to the initiative in several ways.

They voted to create a commission on missionary strategy to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for missionary growth. The commission is to issue a progress report at the next convention.

Convention also adopted a resolution celebrating the vision of being and becoming a missionary diocese and pledging itself corporately and individually to begin living the great commission. Convention passed legislation creating a land bank to acquire land for new churches.

Convention approved a 2001 budget of $3.74 million, with some expanded programs and new staff positions, an 8.44 percent increase over the 2000 budget of $3.5 million.

Two new mission congregations, were accepted, Grace Mission, Clayton, and La Iglesia de la Guadalupana, Wilson.

In other business, convention voiced its continued opposition to capital punishment and called for a moratorium on the death penalty. In a vote by orders, the laity defeated a proposal to remove confirmation as a qualification for voting in parish elections.