As a larger percentage of the active members of the House of Bishops completes the three-year program in formation for new bishops called “Living Our Vows,” the Rt. Rev. F. Clayton Matthews, director of the Presiding Bishop’s Office of Pastoral Development, believes the number of deposition threats and inter-diocesan conflict among bishops will start to decline.
Bishop Matthews spoke with The Living Church shortly after the conclusion of the five-day residency training. The remainder of the annual curriculum consists of monthly coaching sessions for a three-year period after consecration. The program became mandatory for new bishops after the 75th General Convention in 2006.
By the end of 2009, Bishop Matthews estimates that one half of the 130 active bishops will be involved in the College for Bishops’ program.
“I am hopeful that we are encouraging our bishops to have a greater sense of community awareness and commitment while they exercise their prophetic role,” he said. “Oftentimes a prophet works outside the community.”
I’m inclined to think that it’s not the prophetic role of bishops that’s most in need of attention. On the whole, I think the past fifty years have demonstrated the dangers of individual episcopal prophecy.
[url=http://catholicandreformed.blogspot.com]Catholic and Reformed[/url]
Maybe our Presiding Bishop ought to attend these sessions if it will lower the number of depositions.
Jeremy,
agreed! They need to focus on the pastoral instead. THAT’S what is truly lacking today.
Jim Elliott <><
Is the on the job training intended to replace the lack of seminary education? such as Barbara Harris? Or to beef up the credentials of those lacking *both* undergraduate as well as seminary training, ala
Uhhhhh, didn’t Howard from Florida attend this – he must have learned a whole lot about avoiding depositions – NOT!!!!
Was to continue with the name of Vincent Warner, (ret) of Olympia. Is this development an admission that the DD that gets laid on at consecration is more of a sham than previously thought?
I almost choked on the name of the program “Living Our Vows” – they haven’t a clue and sad to say, really don’t want a clue.
I also agree with Jeremy. It isn’t the job of the episcopate to be prophetic, but to guard and teach the revelation given to us by God’s only Son through His Apostles.
Is this the new TEC propaganda machine?
“Living our vows”? I thought that perverse naming conventions for official programs was the exclusive domain of the US Congress…
This story is just waiting for a riposte from Christopher Johnson.
You will be assimilated…
I think their culture could be improved by some multicultural exploration. There are traditions in oother venerable cultures that would improve the HOB.
Seppuku, for one.
“Living our vows?” That’s a laugh!
What a bitterly ironic title. The most notable failure of the HoB over the last 40 years has been its failure to require its members to uphold their ordination and consecration vows, especially the one to defend “the doctrine, discipline, and worship” of TEC. Had they done so, we would likely not have today’s mess.
BINGO, BILL MATZ!
Bill Matz, you nailed it! Thanks!