Major Steps in the Bishop Search Process

 

The Standing Committee is midway through the search process for the 6th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. A Search Consultant has been engaged to assist their efforts, retired Canon Brian Nordwick of our neighboring Diocese of El Camino Real. The Nominating Committee was officially formed after the Diocesan Convention in early November where specific changes to existing Canons and Rules of Order concerning the Bishop Election process were addressed. The eight members of the Standing Committee, joined by seven others, formed the Nominating Committee, representative of the diversity of the Diocese. Overall, the process shown in the graphic above can be viewed in three phases - preparing a diocesan profile, collecting nominations, and screening the applicants.

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The first phase is complete. A survey, customized for EDSJ and in both English and Spanish, was available to all members of the diocese for four weeks. Over 350 people gave a response. It was followed by live listening sessions throughout our three deaneries and multiple Zoom opportunities, again in both English and Spanish. More than 120 people, from at least 15 different congregations plus ECCO, participated in a Listening Session. The resulting Diocesan Profile provides a look at EDSJ for those that are in discernment to submit their names for consideration as our next Bishop Diocesan. It answers questions such as “Who are we?”, “Where is God calling us for the future?” and “What qualities are important in our next bishop?” ​

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The second phase is the nomination process. This phase is also now complete. The completed Diocesan Profile was posted on January 15, 2025 and the nomination process for the VI Bishop Diocesan of San Joaquin was opened for approximately six weeks. (The Profile may still be viewed and downloaded on the main Bishop Search webpage.) The Diocese announced this opportunity through various channels to amplify the reach. Every interested individual submitted an information package for evaluation by the Nominating Committee. 

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The third phase is the vetting process. The Nominating Committee will review the nominations, check references, and conduct multiple interviews, initially via Zoom, and ultimately with the semi-finalist candidates at an in-person retreat at ECCO in mid-June. The Nominating Committee’s last action is to present a slate of final nominees to the Standing Committee. At that point, the Transition Committee begins to oversee the next steps. The final nominees will make in-person "meet & greet" visits around the diocese. The VI Bishop Diocesan of San Joaquin will be elected at a special diocesan convention at St James Cathedral in Fresno on October 18, 2025. Once elected, the Diocese requests "consents" or approval from other Episcopal dioceses.  Once consents are secured, the new bishop-elect will be consecrated by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on April 18, 2026 as San Joaquin's next bishop, prior to the retirement and departure of Bishop David.

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