Episcopal Church Polity: Blending Episcopal and Presbyterian Governance
The Episcopal Church blends Episcopal and Presbyterian forms of polity, sharing decision-making between clergy and lay leaders. This unique structure empowers all baptized individuals with equal authority, fostering a representative democracy where authority is shared among the laity and clergy through elected representatives and leaders.
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The Polity of The Episcopal Church and General Convention How do we organize ourselves as the Body of Christ in the Episcopal Church?
Forms of Church Polity Episcopal having bishops and dioceses Lutheran having bishops with term limits, and synods (not dioceses) Congregational having autonomous congregations Presbyterian having priests, but not bishops
episcopal Polity 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
Presbyterial Polity Each local church governed by a body of elected elders Groups of churches known as presbytery Presbyteries grouped together as synod Synods meet together as General Assembly Developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchy of bishops
The Episcopal Church Effectively blends episcopal and presbyterian forms of polity Shared decision making between clergy and lay leaders. Broadens the base for our discernment and authority.
We Believe that Authority is Given to Us Through Baptism Equal Authority The Holy Spirit is active in everyone s life. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has gifts to give. True for everyone: communicants, vestry members, deacons, priests, and bishops.
Authority Sits in the Pews The Episcopal Church is a representative democracy: We surrender parts of our authority to others through election of representatives, calling of clergy, and election of bishops. We invest in them the responsibility of decision making for specific things. We always have the choice to continue to elect some, or elect others. This approach to leadership is uncommon in the Anglican Communion.
Authority is Shared, Lay and Clergy In the Parish Annual parish meeting, Vestry, Wardens, and Clergy In the Diocese Bishop and Standing Committee, Diocesan Convention, Commissions, Committees, and General Convention Deputation In The Episcopal Church General Convention, Presiding Bishop, President of the House of Deputies, Executive Council, Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Boards
Baptismal authority flows from communicants through election... 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
to the vestry, wardens, and rector... R W W Vestry V V V V Baptismal Authority Parish C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C
...and to Diocesan Convention Through lay elected delegates and clergy... Standing Committee Diocesan Convention Bishop Diocesan Council Clergy Delegates Trustees, etc. Parishes Delegates to Convention (3 per parish) Deputies to GC (4 clergy 4 lay) 11
and eventually to the General Convention Parishes Dioceses General Convention President of House of Deputies Presiding Bishop House of Deputies House of Bishops 12
