Here was a model of the Church that seemed great for evangelizing frustrated protestants and disillusioned Roman Catholics, but in the end it could not withstand the critical assault of scholars or the new wave of ecumenical sentiment. The image of the Church as a river with its various branches is too pat, too simple to fit the facts. Neither the Eastern Orthodox nor Roman Catholics have ever accepted it.

Related to this is another curiosity: most everyone, whether insider or outsider, will tell you that Anglicanism's notable strengths include tradition and continuity (not to mention unity). Nevertheless, the great rock of traditionalism seems more than most denominations to be forever anxious about what it must do to be relevant in the contemporary world.

The HOB of the ECUSA has met and prepared another statement for the communion. By the time of the writing of this communication, each of you will have received that statement. After perusing it, I do believe that you will arrive at the same position that I and many others have, that is to say that the statement is unadulterated obfuscation and pomposity and outright deceit. It is another attempt on the part of the ECUSA unbelieving Bishops to confuse and obscure the real issues at hand.

Not surprisingly, the movement's numbers translated into political influence. And the renewal movement was so confident of its beliefs and claims that it persuaded the nation's top political leader to have the government work more closely with religious social service organizations to solve the nation's horrendous social problems. Members of the renewal movement knew that miraculous moral transformation of character frequently happened when broken persons embraced the great religion.