2001
Patrice Eileen McCullen Schexnayder
Life on Earth: How Does the Episcopal Church Respond to Environmental Concerns At the Turn of the Millennuium?
This thesis examines the level of support by the Episcopalian “in the pew” for the environment –related policies of the Episcopal Church which are based on resolutions passed by General conventions and by the Executive Council. The level of support of the policies was measured through a survey instrument, administered in the Diocese of Texas, that requested demographic data and responses to fifty-nine statements from Texans as well as non-Texans. Biblical covenant, scripture, culture, cosmology and science, and theology (mainly twentieth century), provided theory for the research. Environment-related ministries were also examined as a component of the social justice ministry of the church, and as a significant aspect of the postmodern scientific, cultural, and religious conceptual paradigm in which Episcopalians live. Environment-related ministry existing in the Episcopal Church, potential ministries that could be developed, and experimental liturgy are among the topics considered in the effort to determine ways environment-related ministries have been or could be incorporated in Episcopal parishes.