The Search and Nominating Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma has published the diocesan profile and opened the application process for Bishop Coadjutor.
Website: www.epiok.org/bishop-search
Contact: Mr. Richard Clements The Rev. Suzanne Mollison
Co-Chair, Bishop Search Committee Co-Chair, Bishop Search Committee
richard@clementsinvestment.com s_mollison@sbcglobal.net
405-570-7417 580-471-2339
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA SEEKS BISHOP COADJUTOR, PUBLISHES THE PROFILE OF THE DIOCESE, AND OPENS APPLICATION PROCESS
The Search and Nominating Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma has published the diocesan profile and opened the application process for Bishop Coadjutor.
“We seek a bishop who will empower individuals and congregations with the leadership and resources needed to accomplish the mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” –Diocese of Oklahoma Profile, 2019
The members of the Search and Nominating Committee began their work soon after The Right Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny announced his intention to retire on January 1, 2021 and called for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor. The Bishop Coadjutor will become the Diocesan Bishop upon Bishop Konieczny’s formal retirement. The election of the Bishop Coadjutor will be December 14, 2019 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City.
The committee’s first endeavor was to listen to the voices of more than 16,000 baptized members in its 71 congregations across the diocese. The Search and Nominating Committee conducted a survey of the opinions of the people of the diocese from March 7, 2019 to March 17, 2019. A diocesan-wide survey, conducted online, included 591 respondents. Listening sessions were held across the diocese in March and April of 2019, which gathered information from all regions throughout the state. In addition, listening sessions were held with the clergy of the Diocese and the Diocesan Center staff. This survey, along with the listening sessions, provided the Search and Nominating Committee with insight into the desired qualities we seek in our next Diocesan Bishop.
From the survey and information collected at the listening sessions, the Search and Nominating Committee have created a picture of the diocese, and its people, in a diocesan profile. The profile includes a snapshot of the state of Oklahoma, the history of our diocese and how it has shaped us, our diocesan ministries and programs, as well as the qualities we seek on our next bishop.
The website www.epiok.org/bishop-search shares this profile, information and forms for application, the timeline for this process, as well as other information related to the bishop search.
“We seek a bishop who recognizes that the people are the most significant asset of the diocese; someone who will know and love us and value the ideas and gifts we bring.” –Diocese of Oklahoma Profile, 2019
In addition to the diocesan profile, the Search and Nominating Committee has also finalized the application packet and the process for accepting applications. The application period is open from June 3, 2019 to July 6, 2019 and the application can be found on the website www.epiok.org/bishop-search.
If you know someone who may be called to be our next bishop, please encourage that person to apply. It is an exciting time as we pray for all those across the church who may be in discernment about whether to enter the process with us.
A Prayer for Discernment
Gracious God, you call each of us to ministries of love and service for your people: Guide each person who will help choose the next bishop for your flock in the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. Give the gift of discernment to the nominating committee and the standing committee, that they may wisely choose candidates who would fill the role of bishop with honor and grace. Awake in each person who may be called to apply to become our bishop a sense of true searching and humble submission to your will. Inspire every voter to enter the discernment process prayerfully and carefully, that our next bishop may lead this diocese to answer your call. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.