The Standing Committee is dwelling in the word and prayerfully discerning the next steps in the process of calling the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Newark. We have been looking at scripture and the tradition as guided by The Book of Common Prayer.
Titus 1:7-9
For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; they must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain; but they must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout, and self-controlled. They must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that they may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
1 Timothy 3:1-7
The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. They must manage their own household well, keeping their children submissive and respectful in every way— for if someone does not know how to manage their own household, how can they take care of God’s church? They must not be a recent convert, or they may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, they must be well thought of by outsiders, so that they may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
Examination at the Ordination of a Bishop from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 517
My sister/brother, the people have chosen you and have affirmed their trust in you by acclaiming your election. A bishop in God's holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ's resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ's sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings.
You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide for the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world. Your heritage is the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope. Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Naomi Horsky, President
The Rev. John Mennell, Vice President
The Standing Committee
