It is often said, he who frames the argument, wins it. In the case of the Episcopal Church, those who frame the argument as conservatives "leaving the Episcopal Church" or not are missing the boat. Neither will choosing to "move on" from the sexuality debate end the controversy. Indeed, failure to confront the real issue now will only make things worse down the road, because the sexuality debate is only a symptom of a much larger problem.

 The real problem with the Episcopal Church USA is not gay bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. His ordination was simply the match that lit the gasoline. The real problem of ECUSA and all the mainline churches is a revisionist Christianity that sweeps away everything in its path and enthrones heterodoxy as the norm. As Richard John Neuhaus has said, "unless orthodoxy is required, it will be proscribed (i.e. forbidden)" In too many Episcopal dioceses considering candidates for ordination, orthodoxy is considered a liability rather than an asset.

 Episcopal Church leaders can choose to ignore the sexuality debate, but there are a whole host of issues coming down the pike after it, including "inclusive language" liturgies, same-sex unions, Book of Common Prayer reform, and issues of church discipline, among others. The sexuality debate is only one issue in a long line that will not go away, despite calls to move on. Furthermore, no lines can be drawn in the sand because the sand is forever shifting in a heterodox direction with little or no accountability.

 Secondly, orthodox Episcopalians are determined to remain faithful to the Anglican Communion. The real issue, as witnessed by the recently-issued Windsor Report, is not whether conservatives will leave the Anglican Communion, but whether the Episcopal Church will become a schismatic sect. The issue on the table now is will ECUSA refuse the recommendations of the report to "repent" of its actions in ordaining Robinson? ECUSA and the Church of Canada are already under discipline from the Anglican Communion, having been asked to "explain their actions" in ordaining Robinson and having been disinvited from the Anglican Consultative Council for a period of time.

 No, it is the Anglican Communion, not ECUSA bishops who are asking the relevant question. It is: Does the Episcopal Church want to remain part of the Anglican Communion? If so, it is highly likely some back-tracking will have to take place, something revisionists have never done.

 If these are the right questions, then a different framing of the issues emerges. Instead of talking about "conservatives leaving the Episcopal Church" we will be speaking of ECUSA as a schismatic sect, choosing to leave the Anglican Communion. This is the "big picture" reality looming on the horizon. And it will force everyone involved, not just conservatives, to choose.

  John Pendleton