Following a process designed to streamline resources and better serve the Diocese, C4SO Bishop Todd Hunter has revised titles and defined roles for Diocesan leaders. As founding Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Bishop Hunter is a “missionary Bishop” raising support for church planting and “tent making.” Given this reality, he has opted for a less traditional episcopal model, and therefore Diocesan Canons and Deans play an especially robust role in C4SO. As with any team, roles and responsibilities sometimes overlap, but generally speaking Canons may be understood as an extension of the Bishop’s office, and Deans may be understood as a local extension of the Bishop’s pastoral ministry to clergy and congregations.
Formerly serving as Bishop’s Deputy, the Rev. Canon Porter C. Taylor has transitioned into the position of Canon to the Ordinary, and as such, manages daily operations of the Diocese, oversees the ordination process, represents the Bishop as needed, and assists in recruitment, deployment, and resourcing of church planters.
The Rev. Canons Ellis E. Brust and Tony Baron will continue to assist the Bishop, but their titles and portfolios have been changed to better reflect their roles. Ellis, now Canon for Vocational Development, is charged with establishing and incorporating new models of theological education and assisting the Bishop with other training opportunities that may arise. He is also Chair of our “Committee on Constitution and Canons” (which functions as a Governance Task Force) and Chair of our Holy Orders Examination Task Force. Tony now serves as Canon for Special Missions, responsible for identifying potential projects for the Diocese. Both Ellis and Tony continue to serve as Anglican mentors for those in the ordination process and for young church planters as they begin their journey. Canon Theologian Dennis Okholm will review theological matters as requested, presenting his findings to the Bishop. Dennis will consult with Bishop Hunter regarding performance deficiencies in the theological section of the ordination exam as well as provide theological mentoring of candidates engaged in the ordination process. In addition, Dennis will be consulted for anything theologically precedent-setting, a serious dispute, or a potentially divisive controversy.
The Deans represent the Bishop’s ministry on-the-ground as the first line of contact and through facilitating relationships, growth and planting churches. The role of the Dean is to extend the ministry of the Bishop and the Diocese in their local area by facilitating professional growth and relational collegiality. Deans serve as the clergy representatives on the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure that the common life of our Diocese is appropriately represented by each deanery. Although Deans are not hierarchical in concept or function, local pastors and church planters are expected to respectfully work with their respective Deans in every way possible. When serious tension of any kind develops in a deanery or congregation, the Bishop should be called upon to mediate.
