The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that many in the Church are "profoundly frustrated" by the internal struggle over the issue of women bishops.
In a sermon in York Minster, Dr Rowan Williams stressed to the opposing factions how important it was that "my neighbour knows that her or his joy is what most deeply I care about".
He added that the Church must not become "depressed" over its problems.
It has emerged a general synod vote on the issue on Monday could be postponed.
There is deadlock over a concession to traditionalists that would allow parishes access to a male bishop opposed to women's ordination.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott says a postponement of the vote appears increasingly likely to avoid an embarrassing and damaging rejection of the legislation.
Members of the synod have been meeting in York since Friday.
In his sermon on Sunday, Dr Williams said: "Most of us are frustrated with the structures of the Church and are feeling that the way in which we are doing our business is at the moment preventing us from doing what we actually want to do as a Church."
He said that the right way forward was not always "crystal clear", but the current difficulties could not be overcome "unless my neighbour knows that her or his joy is what most deeply I care about".
Stressing that the Church must not become "depressed" over the issue, Dr Williams added: "The last thing our society or our world needs is a depressed Church.
"That is something I trust we shall bear in mind and heart in the days ahead."
Emergency meetingAn emergency meeting of bishops took place on Saturday following lobbying from campaigners for women bishops who are threatening to vote against the legislation unless the concession can be reworded.
A compromise that would involve introducing women bishops, but also providing alternative oversight from male bishops for traditionalist parishes opposed to the move, was backed last year by the Church's 44 local dioceses.
But, largely in order to secure the support of moderate conservatives in the synod who are sympathetic to traditionalists, senior bishops amended the legislation to ensure it would also give such parishes the right of access to a male bishop who shared their beliefs about women's ordination.
The amendment's opponents complain it would enshrine discrimination, and have used a flurry of letters and petitions to lobby synod members to adjourn the debate so the amendment can be removed.
If bishops support an adjournment it is highly likely to succeed, our correspondent says, with the final vote postponed to a new synod in November.
