How We're Governed
The word
"Episcopal" means "ruled by Bishops". This, then, is
the key to the church's governance. The church in America (as in other
Anglican communions) is broken up into regional dioceses. A diocese is a
region which is assigned to one Bishop as the "shepherd" of
that particular community of parishes (churches). The bishop typically
has final authority in things ecclesiastical (things relating to church
policy and procedure).
The general ecclesiastical
hierarchy of the Church in America is as follows:
The Presiding Bishop:
America is the only communion within the Worldwide Anglican community
that has a Presiding Bishop. Other Anglican communions refer to this
person as an Archbishop. Their hierarchal positions are very similar,
the main difference being that in America the Presiding Bishop has
somewhat less control over the diocesan Bishops ecclesiastical
authority. The "Presiding Bishop" in America is considered
"first among equals". The presiding Bishop or
"Archbishop" has ecclesiastical authority over more than one
diocese, unlike a Bishop who controls only one region. Our Presiding
Bishop resides in New York but his cathedral seat (a cathedral is a
bishop's "home" church) is at
The
Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The Presiding
Bishop is the "president" of the House of Bishops during
Church conventions.
The Bishop:
The bishop is the head of an assigned diocese. A diocese is a region of
a particular part of the country which may contain dozens of parishes or
churches. For instance in the Diocese of NW Texas, the bishop is
responsible for ecclesiastical authority over parishes (churches) in
Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Midland among many others. All of these
parishes are a member of the diocese of NW Texas. The main seat or
(cathedral) of the Bishop for this diocese is in Lubbock, Texas. The
bishop attempts to visit every parish at least once within a given
church year. He or she performs confirmations, preaches, and celebrates
Eucharist whenever he visits a parish. This is always a special time of
celebration in a church parish.
The Priest:
The priest is the ecclesiastical authority of a parish (a single church
within a diocese). He or she is responsible for leading or directing the
"flock" of Christian people within a particular church. He or
she celebrates the Eucharist, performs baptisms, takes confessions,
visits the sick (as do the laity), among other duties. If there is more
than one priest assigned to a parish, then one of them is the
"Rector" or "head" priest. The rector may have an
assistant, sometimes referred to as the "Assistant rector".
The Deacon/s:
Next in the ecclesiastical hierarchy are the deacons. Deacons are
ordained ministers who are under the authority of the
"rector". They generally perform such duties as visiting the
sick (along with the laity), administering the "Eucharist" in
the absence of a priest or bishop. (Note: deacons cannot
"consecrate" the holy communion. Deacons may only
"administer" Eucharist from previously consecrated bread and
wine, referred to as the "reserve sacrament".) Deacons can be
called upon by the church to perform any duties appropriate to their
skill and training.
The Laity:
Last (but certainly not least) in the church hierarchy are the
laypersons. The laity are the regular members of the parish. The
Episcopal church places much emphasis upon the laity as the most
important ministers of God's word. Without the laity, the clerical
hierarchy cannot perform their duties. The laity are responsible for the
daily ministering of "The Word of the Lord" to families,
friends and neighbors in "thought, word and deed". They are
participants in the worship service in the form of lay readers, choir
members, acolytes or regular attendees and participants in worship. Some
are members of lay committees and ministries such as the Vestry (the
committee of church persons who are responsible for running the everyday
affairs of the parish), the altar guild, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew
among many others.
All these persons working together
locally and across the world, make up the mystical "body of
Christ" called the Church, each person contributing his or her
spiritual and physical talents to spread the gospel of salvation.
