Whom do we Seek as Our Next Bishop?
The people of the Diocese of El Camino Real have sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help identify the qualities we seek in our bishop. The
report of the Diocesan Evaluation and Structure Committee highlights the indispensable role played by a spirit-led and spiritually-alive bishop with sound leadership skills, abilities and the willingness to foster a healthy diocesan culture, even as we work toward improved governance and structure. El Camino Real seeks a bishop who will be one among us, and not one above us. Our search will lead us to discern the one with a servant-spirit rather than a princely-spirit. A bishop’s authority is an obligation of service, and the greater that authority the graver the obligation (Mt. 20: 25-27).
Since the departure of our last bishop, our community has been purposeful in working toward increasing the extent to which ministries are shared among clergy and lay members and across ministry areas. We have found the principles of shared authority and ministry to be effective as a guide to the work of the Standing Committee with the Assisting Bishop and for the Standing Committee’s liaisons with the various diocesan bodies. As they have matured in trust and knowledge, their work together has grown in richness and complexity, characterized by consultation and a respectful mutual relationship. We seek to base our relationship with our bishop on this model.
We want our bishop to be our chief pastor and the chief steward of God’s mysteries. Chosen to be a guardian of the Church’s faith, our bishop will lead us in being faithful stewards of God’s holy Word and Sacraments (BCP, pg. 521). To our clergy, our bishop will be a coach, mentor and counselor who deeply values trust and mutual respect. Our lay members will find support of their ministries by someone who understands the importance of strengthening connectedness among clergy and congregations. All will rejoice by sharing in laughter and humor together. Our clergy ask for a bishop of deep faith and proven integrity who exhibits by words and actions a life immersed in prayer and governed by the Word of God. They ask for someone who is genuine, transparent and real to people.
As a pastor, our bishop will be listened to and, in turn, will also listen to the counsels of many. Working with our clergy in a relationship of trust and generosity, the bishop will invite clergy and laity to join togetherin the discharge of duties with humility and solicitude. We want our bishop to lead in development and growth, reconciliation and restoration and to challenge our committed lay and clergy workers to work together as we articulate the vision for our diocese. Our clergy ask for a consultative bishop who gladly seeks and accepts feedback and is collegial with all orders of ministry.
We want our bishop to be an administrator and leader who is passionate about revitalizing congregations and guides our interventions with failing congregations with compassion, with humility and with clarity. As new clergy are called to parishes, we want our bishop to support that work and help us improve our ability to integrate those individuals into the life of the diocese and to continue to build consensus. Our bishop will have determination in addressing the need for continuing stewardship education, including faithful financial giving, the importance of capital endowments at the parish and diocesan level and increasing stewardship awareness in our multicultural congregations. Our bishop will challenge us to find effective models and leaders to grow healthy and self-sustaining new congregations and initiate other energetic ministries. Our clergy want a leader who is able to balance judiciously national church and diocesan responsibilities with ecumenical and community leadership.
Our Convention in October will take up difficult questions of
organization and
diocesan funding. We ask that prospective candidates review the proposed alternatives for information on the varied views within our diocese of achieving our ministries. Our bishop will work with us in supporting the structure selected at this Convention, bringing experience and knowledge to lead and add to our work.
We want our bishop to be a reconciler who supports our efforts to remain connected, despite some deep differences on matters which face the diocese and the Episcopal Church. There is residual pain from our difficult separation from our most recent bishop. There is fresh pain in our struggle concerning diocesan assessments and differing stances on the decisions taken by the 2006 General Convention on human sexuality. Our next bishop will be comfortable speaking about controversial issues and addressing crisis in the diocese while working toward balance within the community. We want our bishop to be wise as Solomon, with humility to lead both in times of conflict and in times of harmony. We hope that our bishop will be the calm in the midst of controversy and will demonstrate the courage of a prophet, preaching with passion and conviction. Through the strength of leadership our bishop will challenge all to witness to biblical and prophetic courage and our people will give the enthusiastic support of a diocesan community that loves its bishop.
We want our bishop to be rooted infaith, and centered and faithful in prayer, deriving strength, day by day, from a strong and mature spiritual life. Our bishop is called to pray without ceasing, always seeking the mind of Christ (BCP, pg. 518). In so doing, our diocese will be guided in our work in carrying out the Great Commission.
