Discussion Topic -- Anglican Communion

How do you see the importance of the Anglican Communion? What is it's value?

Background
Until the last 5 years, many Episcopalians did not know that we are part of a global body called the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is a difficult thing to understand! We are connected around the world to a group of 44 independent churches (the Episcopal Church is one of these). In total, there are more than 80 million people in the Anglican Communion in 160 different countries. The Episcopal Church, with 2.6 million, makes up just over 3% of the population of the Anglican Communion). All 44 churches of the Communion have ties to the Church of England (either in historical roots, or current practice). The Archbishop of Canterbury is one of the four "Instruments of Communion", in other words, one of the four bodies that unite the churches of the Communion. (you can read about the other instruments of communion at the link below). The Archbishop of Canturbury is not the head of the church, but rather the "first among equals". He can make no decisions for other churches, but acts as a spiritual leader, and a uniting force (as the one who invites all the members to a common table).

More information, profiles of Provinces around the world: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/