They went to Boulder City, Nev., from around the world to work together on new models of ministry in the church, and found the session "stimulating" and even "exciting."

They are the diocesan members, observers and visitors to the annual meeting of Living Stones, a diocesan partnership of U.S. and Canadian dioceses.

"There is a wide variety of dioceses here," said the Rt. Rev. Tom Ray, Bishop of Northern Michigan. "It is a good opportunity to explore the relationship between baptism and ordination. It is also a good opportunity to restore to the baptized their sense of Christian responsibility."

Many of the dioceses already have a process for training and ordaining local lay people, and much of the discussion at the Living Stones meeting was centered around the selection process, training, supervision and use of the locally ordained clergy.

While a renewed focus on baptismal ministry - known as Total Ministry, or Mutual Ministry - and the responsibility of that ministry is part of the motivation for the group's activity, so is a growing recognition that shrinking diocesan budgets make it difficult to have a seminary-trained, paid priest in every congregation.

"This talks to the original call to be Christian," said the Rt. Rev. Andrew Fairfield, Bishop of North Dakota, "It's valid, and touches a core. But economics, the hard hand of God, is a factor, too. It is causing more and more people to wake up."

Bishop Fairfield added that he is encouraged by the number of Canadian dioceses which participate. His diocese works with the neighboring Canadian dioceses to provide sacramental ministry in communities near the border.

"We are motivated by a theme, the theology of baptismal ministry," said the Rt., Rev. Eric Bays, Bishop of Qu'Appelle, Canada.

He said the growing "financial bind" that many dioceses face means they will "be spending less on professional ministry. And people in the congregations will take the responsibility of baptized ministry, and find renewed life."

Bishop Fairfield agreed, saying the renewed emphasis on baptismal ministry is about "renewal of the church. Not just in the remote areas, but renewal, period. For me, at the core, this is a renewal movement."

"Why is there growth in the membership here?" asked the Rt. Rev. William Smalley, Bishop of Kansas. "It's one of the few places where there is a real excitement. It's not just talk. It should be a model for the church community."

"I find this very stimulating," agreed the Rt. Rev. Edward Jones, Bishop of Indianapolis.

Fred Zeggil, a lay person from Rupert's Land, Canada, said the session "was very helpful for me. It helps reignite the flame." He added he was encouraged by the international theme.

Bishop Bays said he was pleased by the group's electing a Canadian, the Rev. Don Phillips of Qu'Appelle, as chair.

Two observers from overseas churches - New Zealand and South Africa - were present for the meeting. The Rev. Kevin Wright of New Zealand said seven dioceses there were involved in implementing Total Ministry models. He found it helpful to come to a meeting "where we could talk about problems, solutions, and also a process."

Diocesan Living Stones members, each of whom pledges to have the bishop and a ministry development coordinator at the annual meeting, are: Indianapolis, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northern Michigan, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Olympia, Qu'Appelle, Rupert's Land and South Dakota. Observers were sent by the dioceses of Iowa and Nevada.

The Rev. Chuck Wilson and his wife, Lynne, who created the organization and served as its facilitators, announced at the meeting that they were stepping back from active involvement in it. More of the work will be done by the diocesan coordinators. Fr. Phillips, the new chair, is diocesan coordinator from Qu'Appelle. Pat Hanen, coordinator from Ohio, was elected as vice chair.

The Rt. Rev. George Harris, retired Bishop of Alaska, served as evaluator for the meeting.

He noted that what the group was talking about was "long term, systemic change in the church.

"It will require an invitation to others to examine this model," he said.

The meeting was held at Wellspring, the convent and retreat center operated by the Sisters of Charity.