Session One: The Polity of the Episcopal Church

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but not your cell phone in on
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The General Convention of The Episcopal Church
2009

• Praying together Working together Learning
  together Deciding together Giving thanks

modified from a resource offered to The Episcopal
Church by The Diocese of Ohio
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Three forms of Church polity

• Episcopalhaving bishops and dioceses.
• Congregationalautonomous congregations.
• Presbyterialhaving elders, but no priests
  or bishops.

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Episcopal churches

• Examples Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and
  Anglican.
• Authority is vested in bishops, who make
  decisions of doctrine.
• Bishops are the chief ministers, who then ordain
  other ministers (priests and deacons).
• The New Testament makes references to Deacons
  first, then to Bishops, and eventually, Priests.

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Congregational churches

• Examples United Church of Christ, some Baptist
  churches
• Each congregation can decide its own doctrine and
  positions.
• Congregations may join loose associations for
  mutual benefit, but not to have authority over
  one another.
• Congregationalism appeared after the Reformation.

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Presbyterial churches

• Example The Presbyterian Church (USA) and its
  off-shoots.
• No bishops, but congregations are organized into
  regional presbyteries and synods.
• Elected church officials, lay and ordained, make
  major decisions for congregations.
• Annual national General Assembly makes policy
  for the whole denomination.

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Which is the correct form?

• Holy Scripture offers only hints
• No modern Church system can be traced exclusively
  back to the Early Church.
• The New Testament shows elements of all three
  forms.
• Our Episcopal Church is not strictly
  episcopal in its organization or authority.

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The Episcopal Church, USA

• Effectively blends episcopal and presbyterial
  forms.
• Shared decision making between clergy and lay
  leaders.
• Broadens the base for our discernment and
  authority.

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We all have equal authoritythrough Baptism

• We believe that authority is given to us through
  baptism
• The Holy Spirit is active in everyones life.
• Everyone has a voice.
• Everyone has gifts to give.
• True for everyone Communicants, vestry members,
  deacons, priests, and bishops.

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Baptismal authority flows from the communicants
through election
Vestry
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V
V
V
Baptismal Authority
Parish
Parish
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C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
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C
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and to the wardens and rector.
Vestry
V
V
V
V
Baptismal Authority
Parish
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
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Also to the Convention
Parishes
Diocesan Convention
Bishop
Clergy
Delegates
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and eventually to the General Convention
Dioceses
General Convention
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Authority sits in the pews

• The Episcopal Church is a representative
  democracy
• We surrender our authority to others through
  election of representatives.
• They make decisions on our behalf.
• We always have the choice to continue to elect
  some, or elect others.
• This approach to leadership is uncommon in the
  Anglican Communion.

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Does this approach seem familiar?

• The Episcopal Churchs polity was devised the
  same people who wrote the United States
  Constitution.
• Dioceses have a lot of independence, like States.
• General Convention has two houses, like the
  Congress.
• Leaders are elected.
• Authority and power are shared, to provide
  checks and balances.

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Authority is shared, clergy and lay

• In the Parish
• Annual parish meeting, Vestry, Wardens, and
  Clergy
• In the Diocese
• Bishop and Standing Committee, Convention,
  Commissions, Committees, and the Deputation
• In the Episcopal Church
• General Convention, Presiding Bishop,
  commissions, and committees

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Issues, also, rise from the pews

• The difficult issues the Episcopal Church has
  faced have come as a result of Episcopalians
  asking questions
• Why should women not be serving as clergy? Or as
  a warden? Or as a member of vestry?
• Why cant people of different colors worship
  together?
• Does our common prayer still speak to our
  community as well as it did fifty years ago?

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It doesnt work like this everywhere

• Throughout most of the Anglican Communion
• Bishops make decisions, and hand them down.
• There is no such thing as a House of Deputies
  or Standing Committee.
• Often there are no laypeople in diocesan
  leadership.
• In Canada, New Zealand, and few others, its more
  like in the United States.
• We were organized this way 100 years before the
  idea of an Anglican Communion began.

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Anglicans engage their society

• Anglicans have always recognized their
  responsibility to take on the issues of society.
• To bring the Light of Christ to the world.
• To offer a slow, deliberate, reasoned approach
  that addresses their particular society.
• The Anglican Communion includes many, very
  different societies, with their own perspectives.

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Who speaks for the Communion?

• There is no central authority for all provinces.
• The Lambeth Conference issues statements, not
  policies.
• Each province (like the Episcopal Church) makes
  its own decisions about how to address its own
  society.

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Then what do WE stand for?

• To learn what The Episcopal Church stands for and
  believes, consider
• The Book of Common Prayer (esp. the Catechism)
• Its parish ministries, in each community.
• Pastoral letters from the House of Bishops and
  from each Bishop to her/his diocese.

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Then what do WE stand for?

• To learn what The Episcopal Church stands for and
  believes, consider
• The Constitution Canons of The Episcopal
  Church.
• General Convention reports, policy statements,
  and resolutions.
• National Church staff, Exec. Council and Standing
  Committees, Commissions, and Boards (between
  General Conventions).

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Who are WE, as Anglicans?

• Two statements grounding the identity of The
  Episcopal Church
• The Church is the community of the New Covenant
  with Jesus Christ, who commands us
• To love the Lord our God with all our heart,
  soul, mind, and strength.
• To love our neighbors as ourselves.
• To love one another as Christ has loved us.

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Who are WE, as Anglicans?

• Two statements grounding the identity of The
  Episcopal Church
• Our Mission is to restore all people to unity
  with God and each other in Christ by the
  ministry of its members when they pray and
  worship, proclaim the Gospel, and promote
  justice, peace, and love (BCP, 855)

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How do we live into this identity at General
Convention?

• All deliberations begin with prayer and
  reflection.
• Every day is grounded in Bible study, table
  conversation and reflection, and Eucharist.
• All sessions of the House of Deputies and House
  of Bishops begin with prayer and meditation.
• Deputies and Bishops can call for prayer as the
  time for voting approaches.
• Hearings on controversial topics allow those
  present to speak without interruption, and to be
  heard respectfully. Everyones voice is invited
  and welcomed.

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How do we live into our identity at General
Convention?

• The goal of legislation is to discern the mind of
  Christ, rather than to win.
• Resolutions are frequently amended.
• Deputies and Bishops change their minds.
• Resolutions are changed or developed further in
  the next Convention.
• Legislation is the Churchs way to discover or
  develop a way to address a concern.

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A bit of General Convention history

• Examining the Issues of the day.
• Here are some of the most important issues over
  the past fifty years
• Race
• Economic Justice
• Ordination of Women
• Prayer Book Revision
• Inclusion Human Sexuality, Diversity, and
  Equality

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A bit of General Convention history

• The Church in Convention has tried
• To educate the Church about issues.
• To include information about secular culture and
  cultures elsewhere in the Communion.
• To establish moral guidelines.
• To establish practical boundaries for people to
  follow in making their decisions.
• To keep together in worship and dialogue, even
  when we disagree with one another.

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Deputies and Bishops Together

• The House of Bishops
• Formed after the House of Deputies, and therefore
  sometimes referred to as the Junior House
• Nearly 300 bishops eligible by virtue of his or
  her office as bishop
• Chaired by the Presiding Bishop

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Deputies and Bishops Together

• The House of Deputies
• First met in 1785 in Philadelphia sometimes
  called the Senior House because it was formed
  first
• Deputies are fully independent representatives,
  elected by their dioceses and free to vote their
  consciences after careful listening, reflection,
  consultation, and prayer.
• 8 per diocese 4 clergy and 4 lay
• Chaired by a President elected by the deputies

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Deputies and Bishops Together

• The House of Deputies was a complete innovation
  when this Church was organized following the
  American Revolution. It gives clergy and laity an
  equal voice with bishops in determining policy,
  establishing our legal framework, and maintaining
  a living liturgical life.

Dr. Pamela Chinnis, former President of the House
of Deputies
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Our Deputies

• Mrs. Tess Judge All Saints, Southern Shores
• Mr. Larry OvertonSt. Thomas Church, Ahoskie
• Mr. Tom HoltHoly Trinity, Fayetteville
• Mr. David AbbottSt. James Parish, Wilmington

The Ven. Sonny Browne (Chair)Trinity Church,
Chocowinity The Revd John PollockSt. Andrews
Church, Morehead City The Revd David
UmphlettGrace, PlymouthSt. Lukes St. Annes,
Roper The Revd Canon Peter StubeChrist Church,
New Bern
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Our Alternate Deputies

• Mrs. Ann BustardChrist Church, New Bern
• Mrs. Joan Geiszler-LudlumChurch of the Servant,
  Wilmington
• Mrs. Susan HolmesSt. Timothys, Greenville
• Ms. Casey LudlumChurch of the Servant, Wilmington

The Revd Carolyn CraigSt. Pauls Church,
Greenville The Revd Pamela StringerHoly
Trinity, Hampstead The Revd Ronald AbramsSt.
James Parish, Wilmington The Revd Thomas
RickenbakerSt. Pauls Church, Edenton
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Triennial Meeting of ECW

• The Episcopal Church Women hold their triennial
  meeting during the General Convention.
• The goal of the National Board of the Episcopal
  Church Women exists to support all women in their
  Mission and Ministry in the World, and their
  vision for all women of the Episcopal Church is
  to become a vibrant blend of all ages, coming
  together as a peacemaking, healing part of the
  Church. We aspire to be a God sparkshining and
  sharing the love of Christ.

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Triennial Meeting of ECW

• The meeting consists of worship, keynote
  addresses, workshops, adopting programs for
  mission and service, and the glorious UTO
  ingathering. Attending from the Diocese of East
  Carolina
• Ann Parker St. James, Wilmington
• Annie Jacobs St. Marks, Wilmington
• Pat Davis St. James the Fisherman, Shallotte
• Jo Anne Kilday St. Andrews, Morehead City

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Key Elections at General Convention

• President of the House of Deputies
• Vice-President of the House of Deputies
• Church Pension Fund Trustees
• General Theological Seminary Trustees
• General Board of Examining Chaplains
• Court for the Trial of a Bishop

Session Three GC2006!
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Issues at General Convention

• Adopt Mission Priorities, Program, and Budget for
  2010-2012
• Consider revisions to the Disciplinary Canons
  (Title IV) last revised 10 years ago
• Consider resolutions that deal with
  reconciliation and communion, occasioned by
  differing views regarding expressions of human
  sexuality within the Episcopal Church and other
  provinces of the Anglican Communion

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Issues at General Convention

• Evangelism and Church Growthbringing the Good
  News of Jesus Christ to the unchurched planting
  new congregations
• Various public policy and social justice
  (national and international) issues brought
  forward by deputies, bishops, interim bodies, and
  legislative committees

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Consider

• Adopting a continuous cycle of strategic
  planning for The Episcopal Church
• Continuing the process of formal faith-based
  reconciliation training for all ages
• Adopting a Charter for Lifelong Christian
  Formation
• Resolutions arising from a structural review of
  the organization of the Church through Standing
  Commissions, Committees, Agencies, and Boards

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Ecumenical Relationships

• Establish Interim Eucharistic Sharing with the
  United Methodist Church
• Continue dialogue with Presbyterian Church, USA
• Establish Dialogue with the Church of Sweden
• Establish Full Communion and Interim Eucharistic
  Sharing with the Northern and Southern Provinces
  of the Moravian Church in America

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Issues at General Convention

• Re-commit to the Millennium Development Goals
• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child Mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development

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Issues at General Convention

• Life of prayer
• SLC - Holy Women, Holy Men
• Church Health Insurance - a churchwide plan
• and more!(visit http//gc2009.org/ViewLegislatio
  n/ for a look at whats coming up and when.)

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How does a resolution work?

• Lets take the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
  as an example from a previous General Convention
  (2003)

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MDGs began as a report to GC, then submitted as
a resolution.

• Reported to General Convention from the Standing
  Commission on Anglican and International Peace
  and Justice Concerns.
• Resolution A034 in the Blue Book.
• Urges the Church to use these goals as an
  effective framework in its development efforts
• Asks that the US government be encouraged to
  provide appropriate leadership and resources
  toward . . efforts to implement these goals
• The goals mentioned are the United Nations
  Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

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Then the resolution was reshapedin committee and
reintroduced.

• Discussed and reshaped by the House of Deputies
  Legislative Committee on National and
  International Concerns, at GC in 2003.
• Drawing on resolution A034 and on resolutions
  passed by GC 2000 (A001 D033), it became
  resolution D006, submitted by the Rev. Dr. Ian
  Douglas, Deputy from the Diocese of Massachusetts.

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Now, resolution D006 was considered

• Brought forward for consideration as D006,
  originating in the House of Deputies
• New form of the resolution provides that
  Convention challenge dioceses and congregations
  to contribute 0.7 to international development
• Tasks national church staff, Executive Council,
  Episcopal Relief and Development, and SCAIPJC to
  educate, account for progress in meeting this
  goal, and report to GC 2006 on progress
• Tasks the Episcopal Office of Government
  Relations to lobby the US Government to fulfill
  its commitment to funding development and urge
  all Episcopalians to press the US government to
  fulfill its obligations to fund.

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amended

• Amended in the Legislative Committee on National
  and International Concerns
• The amendment recaptures some of the original
  language from A034, in urging the US government
  to provide leadership and resources
  towardefforts to implement these goals
• The Episcopal Office of Government Relations is
  asked to actively advocate that the US
  Government fulfill its commitment.
• All Episcopalians are asked to contact their
  elected representatives and urge them to support
  the government in fulfilling its commitment.

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and passed.

• Concurred with by the House of Bishops, without
  further amendment, and concurred by both houses
  on August 7, 2003.

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comprehensive communications

• This year, our diocesan website will have
  extensive information, viewpoints, video and
  other commentary and coverage. Youll be able to
  get a daily East Carolina perspective on the
  news of the day, as well as find valuable
  information feeds from other news bodies.
• visit www.coastalepiscopalian.org

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