Inspired by Leviticus, it refers to the ritual of a goat being driven out into the wilderness carrying the sins of the congregation, represented by a scarlet cloth on its horns.
Although a spokesman for the Episcopal Church said the exact number of members who have departed during Bishop Jefferts Schori's tenure is not available, to take one example, the Anglican Church in North America, which was founded in 2009 and claims to have 1,000 congregations representing 100,000 worshipers, includes many ex-Episcopalians.
Others, such as the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the Church of the Nazarene, tended to serve the spiritual and social needs of the urban poor, who quite frequently were ignored by the middle-class congregations representing the mainstream of Protestantism.
I know because I'm a consultant to congregations all over America, congregations representing every major Christian communion, and there are few even remotely like it.
That being said, it is important to note that 115+ congregations representing all of New Jersey's districts sent letters pleading FOR marriage equality.
In South Carolina, congregations representing about 22,000 people are suing the Episcopal Church for control of real estate worth some $500 million and rights to the diocese's identity.
"The globalization of LCWR and of its members and of the members of the congregations represented just can't be underestimated," Guider said.
12), congregations representing a host of faiths and from all corners of the world, participate in an event designed to demonstrate that religion and science can be compatible while raising the quality of the dialogue on this issue.
This community is predominantly Hasidic; its congregations represent historical links with particular areas of Eastern Europe in their dress style and worship.
In Kahn's view, "To me, a 'congregation' represents people and community while the word "temple" represents a place or building.
