WHAT DOES A BISHOP DO?
Serves as head pastor, spiritual guide, and organized leader of the Diocese of New Jersey
Visits every parish at least once every three years
Must give a “state of the Diocese” address each year at the Diocesan Convention
Is either the president or chair of a number of boards, committees and entities such as:
Convention
The board of all Diocesan trust funds
Board of Missions
Diocesan Investment Trust
Christian Knowledge Society
Diocesan Council
Trinity Cathedral
Is the “ecclesiastical authority” of the Diocese, the person with the final word on Church Doctrine within the Diocese
Has the duty, either alone or in consultation with various boards and committees, to appoint
Chancellor of the Diocese
Diocesan Archivist
Members of the Board of Consultation
Members of the Loan and Grant Committee
The Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese
Members of the Investment Advisory Committee
The Bishop gets to approve the placement of clergy to parishes, and the erection of new church buildings and chapels
Is a member of every Convocation and every Convocational organization
The Bishop may send pastoral letters to the churches of the Diocese, which the clergy in the churches must share with their congregations
The Bishop plays a key role in clergy discipline (Title IV matters)
But the Bishop’s calling has some intangibles, not written in a job description but just as important – to speak to the greater community, near and far, when wrongs need to be righted, when governments need to be challenged for their behavior, and when calls to action need to be proclaimed.
