Bishop Wendell Gibbs of Michigan was one of several who said a grand book revision might be dated even before its completed, especially in an era when advances in media technology are challenging the value of traditional books.<\/p>\n
In a nod to the need for church growth, Bishop Rob Wright of Atlanta asked whether a carefully revised book will represent misplaced resources if it lands ultimately \u201cin pews that are empty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder if this isn\u2019t just classic work avoidance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Some concerns raised on the floor brought theological issues to bear. Bishop Shannon Johnston of Virginia recalled how a theological imperative made the 1979 revision important and worth doing at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat drove it coming into being was deeply theological \u2014 primacy of baptism and centrality of Eucharist,\u201d Johnston said. In 2018, \u201ca lot of the language I hear driving this is demographics and sociology.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bishops\u2019 prayer book debate contrasted sharply with the House of Deputies discussion on July 6.<\/p>\n