Nothing is worse for a community than having something collapse in its early stages because one didn't anticipate how much time it might take to actually work it into the system. Midge Roof of Indianapolis takes a break from meeting with the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations to talk with Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold. Minn. The work of interim bodies goes unknown by much of the church and has a bureaucratic atmosphere that attracts notice mostly from General Convention deputies and bishops, or those whose ministry is directly affected. Each commission, committee, board or agency has resolutions assigned to it from the previous General Convention and may propose resolutions to the next one. Each has a mandate from the canons of the church.
Membership is drawn from lay persons, priests or deacons and bishops.
Here's a brief look at what some of the interim bodies reported at the combined meeting held in March Domestic Mission and Evangelism If there were an Academy of Interim Bodies, its award for most enthusiastic presentation would definitely go to the Rev. LeeAnne Watkins of Stillwater, Minn., who made the mission of doubling the church's membership by 2020 sound both compelling and fun. Watkins implored the gathering. We really think it will be cool. Its members will create a document on the theological and ethical implications of issues such as assisted suicide. The commission also plans a theological study guide on issues in health care, a study packet on sexuality issues and a working paper on the theology of work in contemporary society.