An Episcopalian Anthropologist Among the Episcopalians: Matt Seddon, St. Paul’s-Salt Lake City

Although I’m trained primarily as an archaeologist, all archaeologists are trained in Anthropology, the study of people and culture. I thought I would offer a few observations on the culture of General Convention made whilst wearing my other hat.

Here are a few aspects of our culture, the unspoken norms, associations, beliefs, and conventions which structure all our interactions.

1. The floor of the House of Deputies (HoD) does not like amendments.

2. The floor of the HoD does like motions to limit or end debate. Likes them very, very much.

3. You can put Episcopalians at circular tables for worship, but they will still treat them like pews. Do not wander far from your pew......

4. We may believe in the Via Media, the middle way, but that doesn’t apply when jamming buttons all over name badges.

5. Deputies will happily pass all kinds of theologically complex resolutions by voice vote with minimal discussion, but if the church budget affects the Episcopal Life newspaper, they will come to the microphone in droves.

6. We are amused by our own strict reliance on Robert's Rules of Order (as modified by General Convention by-laws, the Constitution, Canons, etc., etc.). Like many things in our Church, we don’t know why we do it, but we’ve always done it, it is in a series of books, so we will keep doing it.

7. Spend enough time in the HoD and the phrasing of Robert’s Rules will roll off of your tongue as easily as Eucharistic Prayer A. If you’re not careful, it will spill out in your daily life. “I make a motion to go to dinner at Chili’s, and, if seconded, I would like to speak to this motion.”

8. We will, with one exception, diligently print a service bulletin for every Eucharist. We will, as always, not actually include all the details of the service in said bulletin.

9. We cannot clap during a hymn to save our lives.

10. Despite our reputation for being the spiritually bereft “frozen chosen,” we surround our deliberations with prayer, song, praise, reflection, and joy. We are not just another non-profit. Thanks be to God.