A Shepherd of the Flock (1 Peter 5:2-3) Our next Bishop will be a faithful shepherd of the flock. He will be a confident leader, seeking God’s vision for the diocese and leading us into greener pastures of ministry, through whatever dark valleys lie ahead. He will protect the flock, rebuking false teachers and doctrine while nourishing the flock in the Gospel. He will have a heart for the lost sheep and equip his churches to seek and serve them through outwardly focused ministries. He will have a heart to see the Diocese more fully reflect the vision of God’s multi-ethnic Kingdom as described in Revelation 7:9. A Godly Manager (1 Timothy 3:1-7) Our next Bishop will be a Godly manager. He will manage his own household faithfully. This quality will be manifested first in self-management, demonstrating a deepening faith and a “long obedience in the same direction.†A married candidate will also have demonstrated godly management within his own family, nourishing and promoting a culture of faithfulness in his household. He will manage the household of God faithfully. The bishop will prioritize building relationships among the parishes and people of the diocese, nurturing their faith and managing their gifts for the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. He will shepherd the diocese as a family, cultivating a spirit of unity among the clergy and parishes of the diocese. The Lord’s Steward (Titus 1:7-9) Our next Bishop will faithfully steward that which has been entrusted to him. He will steward the Word of God through teaching, preaching, and writing, proclaiming the Gospel, defending the “faith once delivered,†and cultivating among the faithful of the diocese a love of God’s Word that bears fruit within our congregations and spills out into our communities through evangelism, outreach and cultural engagement. He will discern and articulate a vision for the diocese, submitting all things to the Word of God and centering the ministry of the diocese around the Good News of Jesus. Deeply Rooted (Matthew 13:1-9; John 15:5) Our next Bishop will have and appreciate “deep roots.†His spiritual life will be deeply rooted in the Word and Spirit of God, evidenced by a life of prayer, humility, and wisdom. He will recognize and appreciate the deep historical roots of parishes in this diocese. Honor and appreciate the depth and diversity of worship, balancing creativity of expression with faithfulness to the richness of our Anglican tradition of worship. He will seek to foster deeply rooted discipleship in the life of the parishes and people of the diocese.
QUALITIES AND CHARACTER OF A BISHOP
The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina is seeking God’s will for the next Bishop of South Carolina. This person will be elected Bishop Coadjutor and will serve alongside Bishop Mark Lawrence for a season before stepping into the role of Diocesan Bishop. The ideal candidate for this position will have, in his life and ministry: reflected the Qualities and Character of a Bishop as they are described in Holy Scripture demonstrated the ability to fulfill the Responsibilities of the Bishop with excellence. fulfilled the Requirements for the Office of Bishop.
Position Description for the Bishop of The Anglican Diocese of South Carolina
Position Description, continued
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BISHOP
The responsibilities of the next Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina will include the following: Vision and Leadership Responsibilities Lead the diocese in implementing the vision, shaping diocesan structures, staffing, and funding accordingly. Work with the Standing Committee and diocesan leadership to develop and implement short and long-term goals in accordance with the Diocesan vision. Nurture a culture throughout the diocese in which individual parishes, though unique, share their gifts for the work of the Kingdom. Communicate clearly and effectively with the diocesan staff, Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, regional deans to further the ministry of the diocese. Attend all meetings and retreats of the Standing Committee, fostering a collegial and mutually supportive relationship. Preside over all meetings of the Diocesan Council and the Trustees. Serve on boards of directors of institutions with relationships with the Diocese, including Porter-Gaud School, Canterbury House (as chairman), and St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center. Administrative Responsibilities Manage diocesan staff towards the implementation of the diocesan vision (including stipendiary and non-stipendiary canons such as the Canon to the Ordinary, Canon Theologian and Canon for Church Planting). With the Standing Committee, Finance Committee, and Treasurer, plan and present a budget that reflects the priorities and vision of the diocese while exercising transparent fiscal responsibility for the finances. With the assistance of the Canon to the Ordinary (or other equivalent administrative position) and diocesan chancellor, ensure that all legal and regulatory documents are filed, and monitor compliance with all laws and regulations. Oversee the day-to-day work of the diocesan office. Ecclesial Responsibilities Serve as chief pastor to the clergy of the diocese. Regularly visit each parish of the diocese, confirming and welcoming new members of the Anglican fellowship. Oversee the discernment process for aspirants to Holy Orders, including oversight of the Commission on Ministry and the Examining Chaplains. Provincial and Ecumenical Serve and represent the diocese in the College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America. Cultivate relationships and partnerships with Anglican provinces, dioceses, and bishops throughout the world.
Candidates for this position will meet the following requirements: Education and Experience Master’s level, or higher, degree in Divinity, Religion, Theology, or other relevant discipline. Minimum of ten years’ experience as a rector (or other senior leadership position). Leadership Requirements Experience in building consensus and relationships among clergy, vestries, committees, and parishioners. Experience in thinking strategically to manage resources and build systems that support the vision of the diocese. Ability to inspire confidence and create trust. Experience in building teams to oversee ministries that fulfill a godly vision. Administrative Requirements Ability to understand and supervise the financial workings of an ecclesial organization including profit and loss, reading a balance sheet, managing cash flow, and general finance and budgeting. Demonstrated ability to oversee and lead a full-time administrative and ministry staff.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE OFFICE OF BISHOP
Send your suggestion to: bishopsearch@adosc.org or St. Paul’s Church Attn: Bishop’s Search Committee 710 Main Street Conway, SC 29526