Did You Know?: "The Ministry of Lay People"

Did You Know?

An Education & Communication Series from the Bishop Nominating Committee*

The Book of Common Prayer teaches that part of the ministry of lay persons is "to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church" (pg. 855). This means that YOU have a vital role in the process of discerning who is called to be our next Bishop!

From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have made important decisions through prayerful discernment. As people of faith, all that we do must be grounded in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit. As we prepare to call the next Bishop of West Texas, please pray! Pray for the Diocese, the Bishop Nominating Committee, the potential nominees, and for your own discernment. ‍

Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, you have called us to a life-giving fellowship in the Diocese of West Texas: Encourage and build up in us the love of Christ Jesus that we might continue to strengthen the legacy of those who have tended and led this diocese with godly courage; look graciously upon us and on your whole Church; by your Spirit, guide the Standing Committee, the delegates, and the clergy who shall discern the one you call to be a bishop for our diocese; send us a faithful shepherd who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries. All this we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.

Dios Todopoderoso, dador de todos los buenos regalos, nos has llamado a una comunión vivificante en la Diócesis del Oeste de Texas: aliéntanos y crea en nosotros el amor de Cristo Jesús para que podamos continuar fortaleciendo el patrimonio de aquellos que han atendido y dirigido esta diócesis con valor piadoso; míranos a nosotros y a toda tu iglesia con gracia; por tu espíritu, guía al Comité Permanente, a los delegados y al clero que discernirán la persona que tú llames para ser obispo u obispa de nuestra diócesis; envíanos un pastor fiel que cuide a tu pueblo y nos equipe para nuestros ministerios. Todo esto lo pedimos en el nombre de Jesucristo, quien contigo y el Espíritu Santo, vive y reina ahora y para siempre. Amén.

More Information & Resources

• Click here to read the Diocesan Profile online.
• Click here to save a printable Diocesan Profile; the PDF will automatically save to your Downloads folder.
• Click here to read recent written and video communications from the Standing Committee.

Subscribe

News and updates from the Standing Committee will be shared by email, the diocesan Facebook and Instagram feed, and online, at dwtx.org/bishop-election.

• Click here to subscribe to the Diocesan General Interest email list, which will receive all Standing Committee communications.

*Bishop Nominating Committee

The Standing Committee Members
President - the Rev. Dr. Ben Nelson, TMI Episcopal, San Antonio
Mrs. Nancy Beauchamp, Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi
The Rev. Scott Brown, TMI Episcopal, San Antonio
Dr. Liz Manning, Holy Spirit, Dripping Springs
Mr. Richard Mosty, St. Peter’s, Kerrville
The Rev. Matthew Wise, St. Mark’s, San Antonio

The Assisting Members

Mrs. Thurma Hilton, St. Richard’s, Round Rock
The Rev. Alex Holloway, St. Margaret’s, San Antonio
The Rev. John Inserra, St. Alban’s, Harlingen
Ms. Andrea Knight, Resurrection, Windcrest
The Rev. Karen Morris, Emmanuel, Lockhart
The Rev. Arnoldo Romero, St. James, Del Rio