The Bishop We Seek
The Gulf Atlantic Diocese has identified a number of specific characteristics which we seek in our next bishop.
Pastoral Leadership
We seek a bishop who is committed to the pastoral care of the clergy and who will cultivate relationships with the clergy of the diocese and support them in their ministry.
Vision Casting
We seek a bishop who will work with the clergy and lay people to formulate and articulate a vision for the future of the diocese.
Leadership Development
We seek a bishop who is committed to raising up and forming the next generation of confident, faithful, and competent clergy and lay leaders.
Accountability
We seek a bishop who is committed to shared ministry within the diocese, working closely with the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Synod, and diocesan staff, and who will be deeply involved in and accountable to the College of Bishops.
Communications
We seek a bishop who is committed to clear, consistent, and effective communications both in terms of what he says and writes, and to developing and maintaining communication strategies.
Organizational Leadership
We seek a bishop who is committed to developing the organizational structure of the diocese in order to make effective ministry possible at both the diocesan and parish levels.
Church Planting
We seek a bishop who is committed to extending the ministry of the diocese by planting new parishes in areas in which no Anglican church is present.
Evangelism
We seek a bishop who is committed to equipping clergy and lay people to be evangelists and parishes to embody the Gospel.
Conflict Resolution
We seek a bishop who is committed to the resolution of conflict within parishes through the exercise of godly and wise discipline, counsel and pastoral leadership.
Personal & Spiritual Discipline
We seek a bishop who has a formulated rule of life which involves daily prayer, reflection on Scripture, self-examination, accountability, sabbath rest and service. If he is married, he will be the husband of one wife (1 Timothy 3:2) and faithfully committed to his wife and children.
Shepherd's Heart
We seek a bishop who will be a true shepherd, one who is able to deal with conflict, exercise discipline with grace, and who is humbly aware of his own limitations.
Ministry Formation & Experience
We seek a bishop who has earned an M.Div. degree or the equivalent, who has the capacity to think biblically and creatively, who is grounded in the Anglican tradition, and who has at least ten years of parish ministry experience.