Date: March 26, 2026
Last night we had the editor of The Living Church with us – the Rev. Mark Michael. Sadly, I was not able to be present because I was still in Canterbury. But I do want to take a moment to thank those who keep this organ for the Episcopal Church alive and well.
Having the numbers to support a magazine is a simple but important indicator of health. And it is good that the Episcopal Church has its own magazine. But more importantly, the positioning of the magazine is important. There is a moral and theological seriousness to The Living Church. It is important to remember that as we discern together over questions that divide Christians, there should be a shared methodology. We are seeking to learn of God as revealed in the Eternal Word and framed by the words of Scripture. If we are not doing this, then we are in the business of a ‘make it all up’ theology. We really want to trust that God has spoken and that we can learn from God what God requires of us.
It is lovely that the editor was on the campus. Thank you for coming.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.