| Resolution Number: | 2015-D004 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Appoint a Task Force on the Episcopacy |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That a Task Force on the Episcopacy be appointed by the Presiding Officers composed of three bishops, three presbyters or deacons, and six lay persons; and be it further
Resolved, That at least one member of the Task Force will have been a finalist in an Episcopal search who did not receive enough votes for election in the last three years; at least one member of the Task Force will have served as a Transition Consultant in an Episcopal search over the past three years; and at least two members of the Task Force will have served on an Episcopal Search and/or Transition Committee in an Episcopal search process over the past three years; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will study the election, appointment, roles, and responsibilities of the Episcopate, including the use of Bishops Diocesan, Bishops Coadjutor, Bishops Suffragan, Provisional Bishops, Missionary Bishops, and Assistant Bishops in this Church; looking specifically at the particular gifts, life experience, and expertise required for episcopal office; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will pay particular attention to the recent trend away from a diverse House of Bishops, and seek ways to encourage diversity in the Episcopate; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will propose to the 79th General Convention a new process for discernment, nomination, formation, search, election, and transition of bishops in The Episcopal Church including, but not limited to: the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Pastoral Development; the selection of, roles and responsibilities of Transition Consultants; how adjoining dioceses may aid and inform the discernment of a diocese in transition; and any required Constitutional and Canonical changes necessary; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will work with the Office of Pastoral Development to develop best practices and educational materials to be published electronically and made publicly available, and may use some of its budget to retain consultants who will help with this task; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $150,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), pp. 457-458. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | The Rev. Steven Pankey |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Formation and Education for Ministry |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #14 on Resolution D004 (Create a Task Force to Study Episcopal Elections and Appointments of Bishops) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(D004)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That a Task Force on the Episcopacy be appointed by the Presiding Officers composed of four bishops, four presbyters or deacons, and eight lay persons; and be it further
Resolved, That at least one member of the Task Force will have been a finalist in an Episcopal search who did not receive enough votes for election in the last three years; at least one member of the Task Force will have served as a Transition Consultant in an Episcopal search over the past three years; and at least two members of the Task Force will have served on an Episcopal Search and/or Transition Committee in an Episcopal search process over the past three years; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will study the election, appointment, roles, and responsibilities of the Episcopate, including the use of Bishops Diocesan, Bishops Coadjutor, Bishops Suffragan, Provisional Bishops, Missionary Bishops, and Assistant Bishops in this Church; looking specifically at the particular gifts, life experience, and expertise required for episcopal office; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will pay particular attention to the recent trend away from a diverse House of Bishop [sic], and seek ways to encourage diversity in the Episcopate; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will propose to the 79th General Convention a new process for discernment, nomination, formation, search, election, and transition of bishops in The Episcopal Church including, but not limited to: the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Pastoral Development; the selection of, roles and responsibilities of Transition Consultants; how adjoining dioceses may aid and inform the discernment of a diocese in transition; and any required Constitutional and Canonical changes necessary; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will work with the Office of Pastoral Development to develop best practices and educational materials to be published electronically and made publicly available, and may use some of its budget to retain consultants who will help with this task; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $150,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That a Task Force on the
Episcopacy be appointed by the Presiding Officers composed of
fourthree bishops, fourthree
presbyters or deacons, and eightsix lay persons; and be
it further
Resolved, That at least one member of the Task Force will have been a finalist in an Episcopal search who did not receive enough votes for election in the last three years; at least one member of the Task Force will have served as a Transition Consultant in an Episcopal search over the past three years; and at least two members of the Task Force will have served on an Episcopal Search and/or Transition Committee in an Episcopal search process over the past three years; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will study the election, appointment, roles, and responsibilities of the Episcopate, including the use of Bishops Diocesan, Bishops Coadjutor, Bishops Suffragan, Provisional Bishops, Missionary Bishops, and Assistant Bishops in this Church; looking specifically at the particular gifts, life experience, and expertise required for episcopal office; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will pay particular attention to the recent trend away from a diverse House of Bishop [sic], and seek ways to encourage diversity in the Episcopate; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will propose to the 79th General Convention a new process for discernment, nomination, formation, search, election, and transition of bishops in The Episcopal Church including, but not limited to: the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Pastoral Development; the selection of, roles and responsibilities of Transition Consultants; how adjoining dioceses may aid and inform the discernment of a diocese in transition; and any required Constitutional and Canonical changes necessary; and be it further
Resolved, That the Task Force will work with the Office of Pastoral Development to develop best practices and educational materials to be published electronically and made publicly available, and may use some of its budget to retain consultants who will help with this task; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $150,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
Deputy Haskell of Albany moved to amend the resolution.
Proposed Amendment:
Strike the fifth Resolve.
Deputy Hart of Pennsylvania moved to end debate on the amendment.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
Deputy King of Western New York moved to end debate on the resolution.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the resolution. A voice vote was inconclusive. The President called on the Voting Secretary to take an electronic vote.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #106)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #74 on HD Message #106 on Resolution D004 (Create a Task Force to Study Episcopal Elections and Appointments of Bishops) and moved concurrence.
Debate ensued.
The question was called
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on Resolution D004.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #364)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 3.
| Abstract: | The 78th General Convention appoints a Task Force on the Episcopacy to conduct a study and report its recommendations and best practices on the election, appointment, roles and responsibilities of bishops. |
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| Notes: | The errant use of the singlular for the House of Bishops in the fourth clause of the original text and Committee amendment was editorially corrected in this publication. |