Did You Know?: A Bishop's Call to Guard the Unity of the Church

Did You Know?: A Bishop's Call to Guard the Unity of the Church

An Education & Communication Series from the Bishop Nominating Committee*‍

Did you know that all Bishops in the Anglican Communion are called to “guard the faith, unity and discipline of the church?” (Book of Common Prayer, pg. 855) Bishops have modeled this leadership and guardianship successfully in many ways throughout history, in times of conflict, polarization, and dissension ... as well as in more peaceful eras.

For example, both Bishop Ambrose of Milan, elected in 373, and Phillips Brooks of Massachusetts, elected in 1891, had qualities of broad-based leadership. Ambrose worked with characters in scripture to tell stories and answer questions of faith. He stood his ground with powerful emperors, and his preaching was instrumental in the conversions of Augustine of Hippo. Bishop Brooks was known to have inspired men to enter the ministry, and he taught them the art of preaching.

Bishop Samuel Seabury, elected Bishop of Connecticut in 1785, was known as leading, supervising and uniting the church. Bishop Paul Jones, elected Bishop of Utah in 1914, expanded mission stations and strengthened diocesan institutions of Utah. Our own diocese has a long history of leaders who hold space for friendship and collaboration between church members who might not otherwise see eye to eye.

The 2022 DWTX profile identified challenges for our next bishop: the need to cast a robust vision that leads to growth, evangelism and vitality. The profile also identified the need to unify people of different backgrounds and viewpoints and expressed the desire for a leader who would model charitable Christian dialogue.

In the weeks leading up to Council, the Nominating Committee has prepared a formation curriculum highlighting bishops in history. These materials can be used in our congregations as we discern the next bishop for our people, one who has the ability to respond with balanced and loving pastoral leadership. And the one God is calling for all of us.

"A Season of Waiting" - Advent Curriculum from the Bishop Nominating Committee

• Click here to save the Advent curriculum, "A Season of Waiting," developed by the Bishop Nominating Committee.

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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.

Discernment Forums

St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Harlingen - January 27

Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi - January 28

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, San Antonio - January 29

‍Anyone interested in more information about the nominees and hearing from them directly is invited to attend the in-person Discernment Forums taking place in January 2023 in Harlingen (January 27), Corpus Christi (January 28), and San Antonio (January 29). These conversations will be open to all, whether attending Council 2023 or not. At least one will be accessible online through livestream and recorded for future viewing.

More Information & Resources

• Click here to read the Diocesan Profile online.
• Click here to review the Discernment Timeline.
• Click here to read recent written and video communications from the Standing Committee.
• Click here to open the Bishop Election webpage.

*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