The decline in members that came with the falling birthrate alarmed diocesan leaders as membership dropped back to a level consistent with the pre-Baby Boom growth rate. Although historian David Sumner published an article in 1987 calling attention to the role of birth rates, explanations instead focused on conflict over revision of The Book of Common Prayer, ordination of women, and welcoming of homosexuals. Several attempts to reverse the trend began with vision statements.
The Rt. Rev. Ivol Curtis (1964 – 1976) launched an ambitious program on many fronts. He emphasized education of lay members by expanding adult spiritual development at Camp Huston (which became Huston Camp and Conference Center) and St. Andrew’s House. Early signs of decline in members and budgets showed up as the 1970’s became a time of turmoil. The diocese funded programs to address poverty and struggled to understand the causes of apparent decline. Leaders used the term “extending God’s Kingdom,” a common touchstone of the growth-oriented 1800’s and 20th century corporate-style management.
Episcopalians nevertheless continued addressing the general needs of communities. At the General Convention held in Seattle in 1967, lay, clergy, and episcopal representatives from the nation voted to allocate funds at the national level to local anti-poverty efforts. In Seattle, Trinity Parish aided Northwest Harvest in founding a major food bank. A diocesan school of theology and a management institute prepared members for parish leadership.
The Rt. Rev. Robert Cochrane (1976 – 1989), addressing conflicts over Prayer Book revision and ordination of women, held up the ideal of the church as the Body of Christ.
The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner (1989 – 2007) visited communities in the diocese as part of a “vision project” and urged congregations to work with local officials to solve community problems. He cared deeply about oppressed minorities and revealed a wide knowledge of the controversy over decline in church membership.
The difficulty of providing care to the large territory of the diocese, led to election of the Rt. Rev. Bevi Edna “Nedi” Rivera (2005 -2010) as Suffragan Bishop, first Hispanic bishop of the Episcopal Church. She joined Assistant Bishop the Rt. Rev. Sanford “Sandy” Hampton (1996 – 2004) in extending Bishop Warner’s reach. Ministry to minority communities, of special concern to Bishop Warner, benefitted from her attention, and she aided many congregations with planning by “Appreciative Inquiry.”
