Historically, the Anglican (Episcopal) Communion has been about the "biggest tent" of the original Protestant denominations. At the time of its founding, Anglicans were anything from Presbyterian-sympathizing Calvinists (Puritans)(the Westminster Confession of Faith, founding document of Presbyterianism, after all was an Anglican document, created in London) to people with "low church" (later Methodist) sympathies, to virtual Roman Catholics. The state Church of England included them all.
From the beginning though these were very orthodox Christians....who compromised primarily on form--while keeping a solid (but flexible) reformed protestant base. The 39 Articles are a firmly Calvinist/reformed Protestant document...but more general and flexible (and short!) than other Calvinist confessions (like Westminster).
The REAL "via media," which the liberals like to toss around today, was about flexibility and moderation WITHIN orthodox Christian categories--not between conservative and liberal theologies (which did not exist 400 years ago). Anglican C. S. Lewis' phrase "mere Christianity" shows the traditional Anglican ideal.
Every Christian desires a reunification of a PURE church, as Jesus prayed in His High Priestly prayer in John...as in the West our dissolution from one Church is less than 500 years old. Most are not willing to give away the return to the bible gained in the reformation....which is why we won't go with the liberals, nor (yet) will we go back to Roman Catholicism--both systems depart from scripture as the final authority (interestingly).
There are over 30 different (usually very small) Anglican associated denominations in the USA. Each one was started for different reasons--many are called part of "continuing Anglicanism" which has regarded TEC (and by extension, usually Canterbury too) too far gone to be in communion with. If a new very orthodox Anglican denomination formed...in full comminion with worldwide Anglicanism (unlike most of the 30 little denominations) some of these small denominations may join. Worldwide, the Anglican church (2nd largest single Christian denomination on the globe) is overwelmingly very orthodox and bible based--due primarily to the former British colonies' mission churches.
TEC is generally (with good reason) to (naturally) die on the vine, within a generation or so. Considering the decline in membership of ECUSA in the last 30 years, that's a very real posibility. When Christianity ceases to be faithful to the basics, as TEC has, it ceases to be compelling...besides ceasing to be Christian.
We would argue that the 39 Articles were not a firmly Calvinist / reformed Protestant document but rather a carefully crafted compromise that can be interpreted in a manner that could be sold to both Catholics and Puritans.
Although this is a viewpoint claimed by many Protestants, Catholics would say that there was never a difference between Protestants and Catholics in a view of scripture as the final authority. The difference (this is a crude simplification of some very complex issues)was rather between private interpretation (protestant) vs. ecclesial interpretation - the triad of scripture, tradition and reason (catholic/orthodox).
"Worldwide, the Anglican church (2nd largest single Christian denomination on the globe) is overwelmingly very orthodox and bible based--due primarily to the former British colonies' mission churches."
Third largest.