A Statement of the Episcopal Council Concerning Synodical
Criteria for the Acceptance of a Bishop-Elect
As Promulgated
by the Episcopal Council of the Christian Synod of Saint Timothy in January
2006
In addition to the various
items required for incardination or ordination (as applicable), the
bishop-elect must…
1.
…have a manifest
call to the sacred episcopate, as demonstrated by a document certifying
election by his assembly of Christian belivers.
2.
…meet the
following foundational criteria prior to any consecration:
a.
sufficient
foundation of lived human experience in order consistently to be able to
demonstrate an established wellspring of faith, hope, love, civility,
compassion, and mercy, along with the ability to minister to others with the
heart of a servant. This foundation may
be expected of one who has attained the chronological age of at least forty
(40) years.
b.
Sufficient foundation
of formation and education for Episcopal ministry, as demonstrated by
verifiable formation in a seminary or religious-life community and by the
attainment of a master of divinity degree or its functional equivalent.
c.
Sufficient foundation
of experience in pastoral ministry, as demonstrated by at least five years of
verifiable service in a viable parish or institutional ministry.
3.
…obtain the
endorsement of the Episcopal Council prior to any consecration.
a.
In emergency
situations (e.g., the sudden death of the local bishop) the Episcopal Council
must agree that the candidate (e.g., the senior local presbyter) meets at least
two of the three criteria as outlined in (2) above, and, if necessary, may
formulate a pastoral plan to assist the candidate in the development of the
third criterion.
b.
The Episcopal
Council reserves the right to seek a recommendation from an ad hoc board of
examiners prior to any consecration.
c.
The Episcopal
Council also reserves the right to obtain the candidate’s signed acceptance of
other affirmations as otherwise required and as already approved by the Episcopal
Council.
XCraig M. Davis
Presiding Bishop
Bishop of the Church of the
Transfiguration
Central Indiana
XCharles P. Huckaby
Bishop of Central Tenessee and Northern Georgia
XMichael Joe Thannisch
Bishop of the Church of the
Children of Abraham
LaPorte and Galveston Bay, Texas