The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas seeks names for both the Search and Transition Committees to share leadership in identifying and calling our next diocesan bishop. The Search and Transition Committees take on very different roles. Please pay attention to these differences and pray about where you might be called to use your gifts in our constellation of needs!
The application to be a part of these teams is due May 30.
Applicants for these committees should meet the following requirements:
- Adult Communicant (age 16+) in Good Standing in a Congregation of the Diocese OR Clergy of the Diocese
- Able to attend, in person, the leadership retreat in Topeka on June 28, 2025
- Documented completion of, or willingness to complete, the diocesan requirement for Safe-Church training
- Willing to complete prescribed bias awareness training if selected
- Have an individual email address that only the committee member can access (not a shared email address between a couple, for example)
- Capable of attending Zoom meetings in an appropriate confidential setting (not a shared office space, for example)
The following roles disqualify a member or clergy of the diocese from participating in these committees:
- Members of the Council of Trustees and their spouses/partners
- Officers of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas and their spouses/partners
- Full-time Diocesan Office staff and their spouses/partners
Search Committee Description
The role of the Search Committee is to create and present a slate of candidates to the Standing Committee within the parameters (size, deadline) outlined in the official “Charge to the Search Committee” given by the Standing Committee.
The Search Committee’s work is grounded in discernment, prayerfulness, and confidentiality. The committee seeks consensus.
The gifts and skills most helpful for members of this committee include:
- Knowledge of Episcopal polity
- Experience with diocesan and/or churchwide structures
- Good technical and organizational skills: email, Zoom, sharing docs, etc.
- Good working relationship with the diocesan staff
- Good at networking around the diocese and the Episcopal Church
- Tactful and diplomatic
- Pastoral, collegial, and hospitable
- Prayerful and discerning
- Time and availability for this work
Transition Committee Description
The Transition Committee will work to welcome and host the candidates in the diocese, providing opportunities for shared common discernment and learning, celebrating the resigning diocesan bishop, and planning the electing convention and ordination weekend events. This committee will conduct much of the planning before the candidate slate is announced. Once the slate is announced, this committee takes over from the Search Committee.
The gifts and skills most helpful for members of this committee include:
- Hospitality
- Experience with event planning and management
- Communication and social media skills
- Connections and good relationships across the diocese
- Good working relationship with the diocesan staff
- Liturgy planning
- Good technical and organizational skills: email, Zoom, sharing docs, etc.
- Pastoral and collegial
- Tactful and diplomatic
- Enthusiastic and creative
- Time and availability for this work
How to Apply
Those wishing to apply to serve on the Search or Transition Committees can fill out the Google Form Application, which can be found here: https://bit.ly/EDOKSearchTransitionApplication
The deadline to submit the application form is May 30.
Contact bishopsearch@episcopal-ks.org with questions regarding the application or the search process.
Visit the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Bishop Search Web Page
For more details, updates, communications, and information from the Council of Trustees on the search for the eleventh bishop of Kansas, visit the diocesan website: https://episcopal-ks.org/episcopal-diocese-of-kansas-bishop-search/
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the hearts and minds of those who will search for a new bishop to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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