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

General ConventionThe 78th General Convention

June 25 – July 3, 2015Salt Lake City, Utah

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 a Presiding Bishop

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

StructureTask Force for Reimagining The Episcopal Church

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

MarriageTask Force on the Study of Marriage

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?

Helpful Online Resources

The Episcopal Church – episcopalchurch.orgHouse of Deputies – houseofdeputies.org

General Convention – generalconvention.orgEpiscopal Church Archives – episcopalarchives.org