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
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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
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Each local church governed by a body of elected elders
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Groups of churches known as “presbytery”
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Presbyteries grouped together as “synod”
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Synods meet together as “General Assembly”
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Developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchy of
bishops
The Episcopal Church
Effectively blends “episcopal” and
“presbyterial” forms of polity
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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
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The Holy Spirit is active in everyone’s life.
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Everyone has a voice.
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Everyone has gifts to give.
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True for everyone: communicants, vestry members,
deacons, priests, and bishops.
Authority Sits in the Pews
The Episcopal Church is a representative democracy:
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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 Parish
Annual parish meeting, Vestry, Wardens, and Clergy
In the Diocese
Bishop and Standing Committee, Diocesan Convention, Commissions,
Committees, and General Convention Deputation
In The Episcopal Church
General Convention, Presiding Bishop, President of the House of Deputies,
Executive Council, Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards
Baptismal authority flows from
communicants through election...
Vestry
V
Baptismal
Authority
V V
V
Parish
C C
C
C
CC
C CC
C
C
C
C C C C
C
…to the vestry, wardens, and
rector...
R
W W
Vestry
V
Baptismal
Authority
C
V V
V
Parish
C
C
C CC C
C
C
C C C
C C C
...and to Diocesan Convention
Through lay elected delegates and clergy...
Standing
Committee
Diocesan Convention
Bishop
Diocesan
Council
Clergy
Delegates
Trustees,
etc.
Delegates
to
Convention
Deputies
to GC
(4 clergy
4 lay)
Parishes
(3 per
parish)
11
…and eventually to the General Convention
Parishes
Dioceses
General Convention
President
of House
of
Deputies
Presiding
Bishop
House of
Deputies
House of
Bishops
12
General Convention
The 78th General Convention
June 25 – July 3, 2015
Salt Lake City, Utah
The House of Bishops
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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 Wolfe
Vice-President of the
House of Bishops
Our Bishops
The Right Rev.
David C. Bowman
The Right Rev.
William D. Persell
The Right Rev.
Mark Hollingsworth, Jr
Diocesan Bishop
The Right Rev.
Arthur B. Williams, Jr.
The House of Deputies
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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 Jennings
The Hon. Byron Rushing
President of the
House of Deputies
Vice-President of the
House of Deputies
(and one of our own
In the Diocese of Ohio!)
The House of Deputies
Dr. Pamela Chinnis
Former President of 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.”
Our Deputies
Bill Joseph
Kristen Pungitore
James Simon
Jane Freeman
New Life, Uniontown
Deputation Chair
St. Alban's
Cleveland Heights
Church of Our Saviour
Akron
Trinity Cathedral
Cleveland
Rev. Gay C. Jennings
Rev. Dr. Brian Wilbert
Christ Church
Oberlin
Rev. Jeremiah
Williamson
Rev. Debra Bennett
St. Timothy's
Macedonia
St. Andrew's
Toledo
Church of Our Saviour
Akron
Our Alternate Deputies
Anne Yug
David Gemmill
Dennis Coughlin
Church of the Redeemer
Lorain
St. Timothy's
Perrysburg
St. Paul's
Cleveland Heights
Rev. Percy Grant
Rev. Heather Hill
Rev. Dr. C. Eric Funston
Rev. Jan Smith Wood
Diocesan Staff
All Saints
Parma
St. Paul's
Medina
Grace Church
Sandusky
Official Youth Presence
The 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.
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.
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 Rev. Canon Vincent Black is Chaplain to the Official
Youth Presence.
Triennial Meeting of ECW
Since 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 ECW
The 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
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“House of Initial Action”
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Legislative Committees - public hearings
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Return to HoIA for debate, amendment, vote
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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 Bishop
Structure
Marriage
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.
The Rt. Rev.
The Rt. Rev.
The Rt. Rev.
Thomas Breidenthal
Michael Curry
Ian Douglas
Dabney Smith
Diocese of
Southern Ohio
Diocese of
North Carolina
Diocese of
Connecticut
Diocese of
Southwest Florida
Structure
Task Force for Reimagining The Episcopal
Church
Structure - TREC
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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
Dioceses, Bishops, and General Convention
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
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
Marriage
Task Force on the Study of Marriage
Task Force on the Study of Marriage
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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
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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
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...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
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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.org
House of Deputies – houseofdeputies.org
General Convention – generalconvention.org
Episcopal Church Archives – episcopalarchives.org