The Polity of The Episcopal Church and General Convention How do we organize ourselves as the Body...
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Transcript of The Polity of The Episcopal Church and General Convention How do we organize ourselves as the Body...
The Polity of The Episcopal Church and General Convention
How do we organize ourselves as the Body of Christ in the Episcopal
Church?
Forms of Church Polity
Episcopal — having bishops and dioceses
Lutheran – having bishops with term limits, and synods
(not dioceses)
Congregational — having autonomous congregations
Presbyterial — having priests, but not bishops
“episcopal” Polity
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican
Authority is vested in bishops, who make decisions of doctrine
Bishops are the chief ministers, who then ordain other ministers (priests and deacons)
The New Testament makes references to Deacons first, then to Bishops, and eventually, Priests
Presbyterial Polity Each local church governed by a body of elected elders Groups of churches known as “presbytery” Presbyteries grouped together as “synod” Synods meet together as “General Assembly” Developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchy of
bishops
The Episcopal Church
Effectively blends “episcopal” and “presbyterial” forms of polity
Shared decision making between clergy and lay leaders.
Broadens the base for our discernment and authority.
We Believe that Authority is Given to Us Through Baptism – Equal Authority
The Holy Spirit is active in everyone’s life. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has gifts to give. True for everyone: communicants, vestry members,
deacons, priests, and bishops.
Authority Sits in the Pews
The Episcopal Church is a representative democracy:
We surrender parts of our authority to others through election of representatives, calling of clergy, and election of bishops.
We invest in them the responsibility of decision making for specific things.
We always have the choice to continue to elect some, or elect others.
This approach to leadership is uncommon in the Anglican Communion.
Authority is Shared, Lay and Clergy
In the ParishAnnual parish meeting, Vestry, Wardens, and Clergy
In the DioceseBishop and Standing Committee, Diocesan Convention, Commissions, Committees, and General Convention Deputation
In The Episcopal ChurchGeneral Convention, Presiding Bishop, President of the House of Deputies, Executive Council, Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards
Baptismal authority flows from communicants through election...
C
CC
CC
C C
C
Parish
CC
CC
C C
VV
VV
CC
C
Vestry
Baptismal Authority
…to the vestry, wardens, and rector...
CC
Parish
C CC
VV
VV
W WR
Vestry
Baptismal Authority
CCC CC
CCC
CC
...and to Diocesan ConventionThrough lay elected delegates and clergy...
11
Diocesan Convention
Clergy
Delegates
Bishop
Standing Committe
e
Diocesan Council
Trustees, etc.
Deputies to GC
(4 clergy4 lay)
ParishesDelegates to Convention(3 per parish)
…and eventually to the General Convention
12
General ConventionDioceses
House of Deputies
House of Bishops
Presiding Bishop
President of House
of Deputies
Parishes
The House of Bishops Originally met together with House
of Deputies, as there were no American bishops
Split into a separate house in 1789 – first meeting of bicameral legislature
Nearly 300 bishops eligible by virtue of his or her office as bishop
Chaired by the Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori
Vice-President is the Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe, Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas
The Most Rev.Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Rt. Rev Dean WolfeVice-President of the
House of Bishops
Our Bishops
The Right Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr
Diocesan Bishop
The Right Rev. David C. Bowman
The Right Rev.William D. Persell
The Right Rev.Arthur B. Williams, Jr.
The House of Deputies First met in 1785 in Philadelphia Deputies are fully independent
representatives, elected by their dioceses and free to vote their consciences after careful listening, reflection, consultation, and prayer.
8 per diocese: 4 clergy and 4 lay Chaired by a President, Gay Clark
Jennings, and a Vice-President, Byron Rushing, who are elected by the deputies
President and Vice-President must be from different orders (clergy/lay)
Rev. Gay Clark JenningsPresident of the
House of Deputies
(and one of our ownIn the Diocese of Ohio!)
The Hon. Byron RushingVice-President of the
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies
“The House of Deputies was a complete innovation when this Church was organized following the American Revolution. It gives clergy and laity an equal voice with bishops in determining policy, establishing our legal framework, and maintaining a living liturgical life.”
Dr. Pamela ChinnisFormer President of the
House of Deputies
Our Deputies
Bill JosephNew Life, Uniontown
Deputation Chair
Kristen PungitoreSt. Alban's
Cleveland Heights
James SimonChurch of Our Saviour
Akron
Jane FreemanTrinity Cathedral
Cleveland
Rev. Gay C. JenningsSt. Timothy'sMacedonia
Rev. Dr. Brian WilbertChrist Church
Oberlin
Rev. Jeremiah WilliamsonSt. Andrew's
Toledo
Rev. Debra BennettChurch of Our Saviour
Akron
Our Alternate Deputies
Rev. Percy GrantDiocesan Staff
Rev. Heather HillAll Saints
Parma
Rev. Dr. C. Eric FunstonSt. Paul'sMedina
Rev. Jan Smith WoodGrace Church
Sandusky
Anne YugChurch of the Redeemer
Lorain
David GemmillSt. Timothy'sPerrysburg
Dennis CoughlinSt. Paul's
Cleveland Heights
Official Youth PresenceThe Official Youth Presence consists of eighteen young people from across the whole church. Two young people are selected by each province to participate at General Convention.
Richard Pryor, a member of Christ Church, Kent, was selected to serve as one of the two members of the Official Youth Presence from Province V at General Convention 2012.
The Official Youth Presence is seated on the floor of the House of Deputies, where they are granted seat and voice. They are encouraged to speak to the issues being discussed as they are learning about the polity of the church.
The Rev. Canon Vincent Black is Chaplain to the Official Youth Presence.
Triennial Meeting of ECWSince 1874, The Episcopal Church Women's Triennial has met simultaneously with the General Convention
Who We Are: We are Episcopal Church Women of all ages, ethnic origins and socioeconomic backgrounds who hold a variety of views. However, the common denominator of our members is love of God and the wish to do His work.
Mission: Centered in congregations, the ECW empowers women to do Christ’s ministry in the world.
Vision: Our vision for all women of the Episcopal Church is that we become a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking, healing part of the Church. We aspire to be a Godspark-shining and sharing the love of Christ.
Triennial Meeting of ECWThe meeting consists of worship, keynote addresses, workshops, adopting programs for mission and service, and the glorious UTO ingathering.
Attending from the Diocese of Ohio:Hilary Nerby – St. Timothy’s, Macedonia
Sonia Miller – St. Thomas, Berea
Janet Smart – St. James, Boardman
Barbara Jones – St. James, Boardman
Mary Stewart – St. Philip’s Akron (Woman of the year!)
Susan Little – St. Mark’s, Canton
Legislative Process
Resolutions can be submitted to the General Convention Office by one of four entities:
A – Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Boards
B – Bishops
C – Dioceses and Provinces
D - Deputies
Legislative Process “House of Initial Action” Legislative Committees - public hearings Return to HoIA for debate, amendment, vote If legislation passes, it is presented to the
other house for concurrence Legislation must pass both houses in identical
form
Issues at General Convention 2015
Election of a Presiding BishopStructureMarriage
Title IV Canons (Disciplinary)
Election of Presiding Bishop
House of Bishops elects Presiding Bishop
House of Deputies confirms House of Bishop's election
Election must take place in a house of worship
Bishops are sequestered from time of election until House of Deputies confirmation
Election takes place June 27
Presiding Bishop-elect begins nine-year term on November 1
Nominees for Presiding Bishop
Nominees put forth by the Joint Standing Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal
Diocese of Southern Ohio
The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry
Diocese of North Carolina
The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas
Diocese of Connecticut
The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith
Diocese of Southwest Florida
Structure - TREC In 2012, General Convention established the Task Force for
Reimagining The Episcopal Church (TREC) TREC spent two years in church-wide discussion to hear how
and where the structure of the church could be modified to allow for better mission focus
Considered change in three areas
– Spiritual Growth
– Dioceses, Bishops, and General Convention
– Mission Assets
Structure – TREC – Spiritual Growth
Encourages collaboration between seminaries
Support clergy employment opportunities/compensation/pension
Encourages collaboration between congregations through networks
Structure – TREC – Governance
Unicameral General Convention
Lower number of deputies per diocese
Evaluate the number and size of dioceses
Lower Denominational Asking and make it mandatory
Reduce Standing Committees to two – Presiding Officers appoint task forces as needed
Dioceses, Bishops, and General Convention
Structure – TREC – Mission Assets
Every parish must consider ways to use their assets (building) that generates income and spirituality
Executive Council and Officers develop team of outside leaders who can assist parishes in redeveloping worship space
Congregations to engage with their communities
Diocesan Standing Committees create standards for endowment spending
Task Force on the Study of Marriage Created by 2012 General Convention “to
identify and explore biblical, theological, historical, liturgical and canonical dimensions of marriage”
“What might the Episcopal Church have to say to today's world as to what makes a marriage Christian and holy?”
Task Force on the Study of Marriage Produced Seven Essays for Reflection
– A Biblical and Theological Framework for Thinking about Marriage
– Christian Marriage as Vocation
– A History of Christian Marriage
– Marriage as Rite of Passage
– The Marriage Canon: History and Critique
– Agents of the State: A Question for Discernment
– Changing Trends and Norms in Marriages
Task Force on the Study of Marriage ...the Task Force has come to the position of recommending recognition of
same-sex marriages in this Church.
The Church has reached a point, as has civil society, where same-sex relationships are no longer “other” and have become “equal” and should be recognized as such.
Pending legal decisions should not deter General Convention from addressing how the Church extends a generous pastoral response to its LGBT members who wish to have their loving, committed relationships recognized and blessed by this Church where same-sex marriage is legal.
Episcopal Church Structure Proposals are being presented for General
Convention to consider ways that the structure of the church can be made more efficient
Goal of freeing up monies for dioceses and parishes to pursue mission opportunities
Title IV – Disciplinary Canons
• Applies to Members of Clergy “who have by their vows at ordination accepted additional responsibilities and accountabilities for doctrine discipline, worship and obedience.”
• Provides for “due process” rights to priests in discipline process.• Substantial amendments approved by General
Convention in 2009.
Title IV – Overview• Diocesan Disciplinary Board elected by
Convention (Ohio: five (5) clergy and four (4) lay members) to oversee process.
• Reports of Clergy Conduct or Complaint are presented to Reference Panel (Pres. of DB, Intake Ofcr and Bishop) for action or possible discipline.
Title IV - Overview• If further discipline recommended, Conference
Panel (3 other members of Disc. Bd.) conducts informal closed hearing with clergy, but without witnesses.• Actions: Dismissal, referral for conciliation, issue an
Order or refer to Hearing Panel.
• If no resolution, then Hearing Panel (3 other members of Disc. Bd.) acts as trial court.
Title IV -- Amendments• Based on recent experience (including Ohio),
Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons is recommending:• More definite time lines / deadlines for Conference
Panel and Hearing Panel actions.
• Streamlining discovery process (during Hearing Panel phase).
• Sanctions for disrupting process.
• Appointing a “Procedural Officer” to interpret and advise on procedural issues for Hearing Panel.
Title III - “Return Process” For Clergy
• New consistent process proposed for Bishops, Priests and Deacons who have been removed from the ordained ministry of TEC, in order to resume ordained ministry.• Many Dioceses have created their own ad hoc
processes, leading to inconsistencies.
Questions for Reflection
What issues that may come before General Convention are of interest to you?
What issues might affect your parish and our diocese?