Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why are we selecting a new bishop?
    Bishop Keith is retiring after about 10 years of diocesan episcopal ministry as he had planned. For a full explanation, please refer to Bishop Keith’s letter on the front page, here.
  1. When will the next bishop be elected?
    The election will take place at the Diocesan Synod on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
  1. When will the next bishop be consecrated?
    God willing, we expect the Third Bishop of the Diocese of Western Anglicans will be consecrated on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Specific details and location still to be determined.
  1. For what is the Diocesan Transition Team responsible?
    The Executive Committee of the Diocese of Western Anglican has appointed a Diocesan Transition Team (DTT) to be responsible for:

 You can view the members of the DTT HERE.

  • Continually bathing this process in prayer and listening for the Lord’s voice
  • Establishing prayer initiatives for time of transition
  • Creating mechanisms for communication – through a website & regular updates
  • Gathering of information and creating the Diocesan Profile
  • Gathering of information and creating the Bishop Profile
  • Creating the nomination process
  • Receiving and reviewing nominations
  • Communicating, screening and vetting those nominated
  • Interviewing candidates
  • Selecting semi-finalists
  • Plan and facilitate the consecration of the 3rd bishop of the Diocese of Western Anglicans on March 29, 2025. 
  • Prepare and plan for the celebration of our Bishop as he turns toward the future season of his life and ministry. 
  • Oversee the acquisition of episcopal gifts
  • Host visiting bishops on the Friday before the consecration (March 28, 2025).
  1. What is the focus of the DTT in 2023?
  • Design the process
  • Gather information
  • Develop our Diocesan Profile
  • Develop our Bishop Profile

What is the focus of the DTT in 2024?

  • Design the search
  • Interview and examine nominated candidates
  • Complete background search process
  • Present to the Executive Committee 2-3 semi-finalists
  • Organize the walkabouts of the finalists in each deanery

6. What are the qualifications for bishop nominees?
The New Testament speaks about qualifications for leadership in the church: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4. We encourage reading these.

The Bishop is chosen by the diocese in conformance with its diocesan constitution and canons and consistent with the ACNA’s Constitution and Canons. The minimum criteria for candidacy as a bishop are as follows:

  • Be a person of prayer and strong faith
  • Be pious, have good morals and exhibit Godly character
  • Have a zeal for souls
  • Have demonstrated evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit
  • Possess the knowledge and gifts which equip him to fulfill the office
  • Be held in good esteem by the faithful
  • Be a male Presbyter at least 35 years old
  • Have demonstrated the ability to lead and grow the Church
  • Have affirmed the Fundamental Declarations of the Diocese (DWA Title II, Canon 1,  Section 1.02)
  • Have at least 10 years in ordained full-time parish ministry (DWA Title II, Canon 4, Section 4.05)
  • Have not been divorced and remarried (DWA Title II, Canon 4, Section 4.05)
  • Be, or have been a rector of an ACNA congregation, or is currently serving as an ACNA Bishop (DWA Title II, Canon 4, Section 4.05)
  • Submit a letter of agreement of his vestry, if applicable, to be considered for the  episcopate. (DWA Title II, Canon 4, Section 4.05)

See ACNA Canons at Title III, Canon 8, Section 3 (“Concerning the Criteria for the Episcopate”) Click here and the Diocese of Western Anglicans Canons at Title II, Canon 4, Section 4.04 (“ Concerning Criteria for the Episcopate”) 8 Click here. In the Diocese of Western Anglicans, the pool of candidates that may be considered for bishop is further specified in Title II, Canon 4, Section 4.05 (“The Pool of Candidates”). 

Given the diversity of practice in the Anglican Church in North America regarding the ministry of women serving as Presbyters of the Church, the Bishop has written a position paper that honors the College of Bishops who are charged with ordering the Church and, at the same time, furthering the mission of the Church in a very challenging mission context. The Executive Committee has established for the Diocese of Western Anglicans our posture toward women in presbyteral ministry and any nominee will be asked to affirm the posture that the Diocese has taken in this matter.

7.    How may potential candidates be nominated?

  • Clergy may submit nominations
  • Bishops from other dioceses may submit nominations
  • Members of the diocese may submit nominations

With any nominations, the presbyter being nominated should be contacted to ensure that he is willing to be nominated. The deadline date to nominate has yet to be determined. We anticipate that this deadline will fall in the first quarter of 2024. We will have a nomination form available before that process.

8.    What is the basic timeline for this process?
May-September 2023

  • The Diocesan Transition Team sends digital questionnaires to members of the diocese requesting input for the Diocesan Profile and Bishop Profile
  • The Executive Committee and Diocesan Transition Team work together to prepare for presentation at Synod
  • Prayer is initiated to saturate the Diocese with the Holy Spirit

October 2023

  • Synod (October 19-21): Clergy and Clergy/Lay Session Saturday, October 21, 2023 to gather input on Diocesan Profile and Ministry Description
  • Intercessory prayer is intensified

November – December 2023

  • Diocesan Profile and Bishop Profile final review and distribution
  • Requests for nominations are communicated and broadcasted widely
  • Prayer Support is firmly established for the search in every Local Church

January – February 2024

  • Diocesan Transition Team begins communication with nominees and monthly communication with Executive Committee and the Diocese
  • Executive Committee and Diocesan Transition Team work together identifying questions and determining parameters for deciding finalists
  • Prayer is focused on the candidates

March – June 2024

  • Diocesan Transition Team continues communication with nominees and with Executive Committee
  • Visits are conducted with serious candidates and reference checks begin
  • Diocesan Transition Team submits semi-finalists to the Province for backgrounding
  • Prayer is focused on the candidates

July 2024

  • Backgrounding is completed
  • Prayer is further intensified

August 2024

  • Retreat: Executive Committee interviews 2-3 semi-finalists
  • The final two candidates are announced following Executive Committee retreat
  • Prayer is focused on the Executive Committee and semi-finalists

September 2024

  • The Finalists will visit each Deanery (walkabouts)
  • Arizona September 13
  • San Diego September 14
  • Los Angeles September 15
  • Prayer is focused on the finalists

October 2024

  • Prayer and election by God is the focus
  • Synod election of DWA third Bishop (October 18-19, 2024)
  • Care and follow-up for those not chosen

November-December 2024

  • Initial integration of Bishop-elect
  • Facilitation of Bishop-elect visit to the College of Bishops
  • Prayer is focused on the College of Bishops

January 2025

  • Consent by affirmative vote of the College of Bishops
  • Diocesan Transition Team initiates Consecration planning
  • Prayer for Bishop-elect and family

February 2025

  • Bishop-elect, Bishop, Executive Committee, Deans, Canons on retreat
  • Consecration Planning continues
  • Prayer for Bishop-elect and family

March 2025

  • Consecration on March 29, 2025
  • Prayers of rejoicing

9.   When will the finalists be announced?
The two finalists will be published by the Executive Committee of the Diocese of Western Anglicans after the final interviews held at its August 2024 retreat. 

10.   May members of the Diocesan Transition Team discuss or reveal candidate names or progress associated with this process?
No. The members of the Diocesan Transition Team will sign a confidentiality agreement in Advent of 2023, acknowledging and agreeing to hold in confidence all information related to the process of selecting candidates for the position of Bishop of the Diocese of Western Anglicans.  

11.   How will I get updates?
Updates will be sent in the Diocesan e-Newsletter The Cross and the Crown. To subscribe click here. Also, dwatransition.wordpress.com has been created to house all of this information for the transition. Check this website regularly. Updates will also be sent to clergy by email. Resources for Local Churches will be updated as the process unfolds. 

12.   May I communicate directly with the Diocesan Transition Team?
Yes, please write to dtt@westernanglicans.org

13. How may I help? 
Please join us in prayer throughout this process.