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Anglican

Anglicans form the family of Christians closely related to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst tracing their inheritance back to Christ and the earliest Christians and to the ancient Roman Catholic church, the sixteenth century Reformation was a crucial moment for Anglicanism.

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Episcopal

‘Episcopal’ refers to the role or ministry of a bishop. So an episcopal church is one in which oversight is entrusted to a bishop. Like many others, the Church in Wales is an episcopal church.

Eucharist

‘Eucharist’ comes from the Greek word for ‘thanksgiving’. At the Eucharist the Church remembers Jesus’ last supper where he gave bread and wine to be his body and blood, a sign of his saving love. See also Holy Communion.

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Ordain

To be ordained is to be set apart, empowered by the Holy Spirit and authorised by the Church for a particular type of ministry. The Church in Wales has three ‘orders’ of ministry, namely deacon, priest and bishop.

Home For clergy and members Clergy Handbook Generic Job Description Bishop

Generic Job Description Bishop

To be read in conjunction with the generic job description of Archdeacon, Area Dean and Incumbent.

Post: Diocesan Bishop

Purpose: To be the chief shepherd, pastor and minister of the diocese, a visible sign serving the Church’s unity and continuity in apostolic life, mission and ministry.

Responsible: in conjunction with others for;

  • People
  • Mission
  • Teaching
  • Preaching
  • Finance
  • Buildings

Generic functions

  1. To lead the clergy and laity of the Diocese in mission and ministry
  2. To proclaim the Gospel
  3. To teach and guard the Faith
  4. To minister the Word and Sacraments
  5. To affirm the call of, and to ordain, send out and appoint new ministers
  6. To confirm.
  7. To resource and guide the clergy.
  8. Where necessary to exercise discipline.
  9. To guide the people of God.
  10. To work for the unity of the Church.

Specific Functions and Duties

  1. To lead and co-ordinate the Bishop’s staff in carrying out the episcopal administration of the Diocese.
  2. To plan ahead and keep the Diocese under review to ensure that:
    1. Clergy and laity are supported and encouraged in developing the mission and ministry of the Diocese
    2. Clergy resources are deployed in the most effective way.
  3. To operate effective policies and procedures for clergy including:
    1. Appointments
    2. Selection procedures
    3. Training and development
    4. Managing clergy incapacity
    5. Sabbaticals
    6. Grievance
    7. Discipline
    8. Retirement.
  4. To create a culture to enable clergy to give of their best both individually and in team situations.
  5. To serve as President of the Diocesan Conference and Diocesan Nomination Board.
  6. To be a member of the Governing Body.
  7. To be a member of the Bench of Bishops and assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of provincial policies and procedures on a range of matters affecting the Church in Wales, and the Anglican Communion.
  8. To be a member of the Electoral College.
  9. To be a member of the Special Provincial Court.
  10. To consult with Church bodies on matters relating to:
    1. Parsonages including redundancy, sales and acquisitions
    2. The creation of rectorial benefices
    3. The suspension of incumbencies
    4. Pastoral reorganisation.
  11. To grant licences, dispensations and faculties (as prescribed).
  12. To ensure that parish visitations are undertaken.
  13. To adjudicate in liturgical disputes and exclusion from the Eucharist.
  14. With the Bench of Bishops to manage the overall direction of the Bishops Advisers, to take direct responsibility (as agreed) for the management of specific area(s) of the Adviser’s work.
  15. To inspire the people of God in their worship, witness and service in his Name.
  16. To encourage good and courteous relationships with leaders of other Churches and Faith Communities.