The Episcopal Ministry Discernment Team in the Diocese of Northern Michigan is planning a unique search process for its next bishop, one based on the model a congregation uses to select a mutual ministry support team.
 
Rather than presenting a slate of candidates for election at a canonically required special convention, the 22-member search committee “will present a single name for bishop” to be affirmed by the special electing convention.
 
There are a number of options under consideration, including the possibility that the single nominee will be a locally trained priest, said Jane Cisluycis, diocesan operations coordinator. Plans also call for implementation of an episcopal support team, which will function similar to the way that a ministry support team functions within a mutual ministry-led congregation.
 
“While the bishop will carry out the roles designated by the constitution and canons such as ordination, confirmation, and attendance at the House of Bishops, other ‘episcopal/apostolic oversight’ roles will be fulfilled by members of the Episcopal Ministry Support Team,” according to a  report published on the diocesan website.
 
The report noted that the search committee anticipates that the Episcopal Ministry Support Team will consist of 10-12 members.
 
The special electing convention likely will be held in February 2009, with an anticipated Oct. 17 consecration. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is scheduled to be the chief consecrator, Ms. Cisluycis said.
 
“The bishop will also serve as a ministry developer (missioner), a decision driven by financial realities as well as the emerging visions we’ve been exploring,” the report noted.
 
When a congregation goes through a mutual ministry discernment process, a covenant group undertakes the diocesan approved ministry formation training together, Ms. Cisluycis said. About midway through that ministry training process, the congregation and the covenant group affirm which person will fill the various roles, such as preacher, presbyter, deacon, and worship coordinator.
 
“It’s a bit tricky trying to do that in the bigger world of the whole church,” Ms. Cisluycis said.
 
She said the search committee has been consulting regularly with the Rt. Rev. Clay Matthews, Bishop for the Presiding Bishops’ Office of Pastoral Development, and with “trusted networks and sources throughout the church, including Living Stones, other mutual ministry dioceses, and some seminary connections.”
 
Steve Waring
 
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