Nevertheless, he said, there have been many signs of hope in the diocese as it has carried out the work God has given the Texas diocese.

Stanton noted the departures of Christ Church in Plano, St. Matthias in Dallas, and Faith in Allen, and members of four other churches where those who remain are finding ways to move forward.

The diocese lost approximately 3,400 members, according to the convention report in the diocese's newspaper. However, the remaining churches have experienced a net increase of 1,013 members across the diocese. The diocese lost approximately 3,000 in average Sunday attendance (ASA), but when adjusted for that loss, the ASA increased from 12,400 to near 12,958.

"So," Stanton asked, "what makes for growth?"

He cited the examples of St. James in Kemp, a rural church that the convention had admitted to parish status; the 13 additional youth ministers in the diocese and new training available for them at the Cathedral Center; All Saints Camp that is developing faster than had been planned and whose JOLT program is 90 percent booked for next year; and the student ministries at four campuses in the diocese.

More than 80 percent of the diocese's congregations have trained more than 80 lay evangelists and taken part in one or more evangelistic programs, Stanton said.

The diocese's two most recent church plants have continued rapid growth, according to the bishop. Stanton reminded the diocese of its intention to be a resource that would support, develop, and nurture congregations already in existence that are seeking to grow in all areas -- urban, suburban, rural, and ethnic ministries.

Since 2004, the diocese's giving to domestic and foreign missions has increased at an average rate of 18 percent per year. Last year, it increased by more than 10 percent to total about $2.5 million. These donations came from local parishes and amounted to about 2.5 times their operating budgets and expenses. The way to grow outreach and missions, Stanton said, is to grow the church.

Stanton exhorted delegates to heed what St. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that was beset by conflicts within and without. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Cor. 15:58).

The convention debated five resolutions, including one calling for the diocese to resume paying its assessment to the Episcopal Church. The resolution was defeated as was one to educate and facilitate its members to support the Millennium Development Goals.

The convention passed resolutions to:

• commend Stanton for the manner in which he has dealt with departing churches;
• affirm evangelism; and
• express disappointment with the House of Bishop's response to the Primates' Communiqué.

The Rev. Canon Victoria Heard of the diocesan staff told the convention that church planting is one of the most effective ways to evangelize the communities in which people live. She spoke about the diocese's two new church planters, plans for 20 new geographical areas in need of an Episcopal church, and the $20 million required over the next decade to buy land for these new churches.

In a concluding address to the convention, Stanton said that although he is healthy and has no less zeal than when he began as bishop, he needs help to carry out the work of his office, in part because of the size of the diocese.

"The passing of Assistant Bishop [Stephen] Jecko last summer was a grievous loss to us. His ministry meant a great deal to all of us and left a vacuum that would be very difficult to fill," Stanton wrote in the November issue of the diocese's newspaper. "After weighing the relative ease with which I could appoint another assistant -- or the more involved process of electing a Bishop Suffragan -- I concluded that this is the appropriate time to engage in an election."

The convention also passed a $3.5 million 2008 diocesan budget.