A: Did you know that of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 32 were Anglicans who later became Episcopalians? That's 57.1 percent of all who signed! So, the way these men organized our nation mirrors the organization of the newly formed Episcopal Church (the American version of the Church of England, formed after English settlers gained Independence).

What is the House of Bishops?

The House of Bishops in The Episcopal Church is one of the two legislative bodies (along with the House of Deputies) at the triennial General Convention, comprising all active and retired bishops. These bishops meet to discuss church matters, elect leadership (such as the Presiding Bishop), provide guidance to one another, and act as a key governing body for the Episcopal Church.

Who's in it?

  • All bishops: diocesan, coadjutor, suffragan, and assistant bishops, plus retired bishops with voice, seat, and vote.

  • A coadjutor bishop is an assistant bishop with the crucial right of succession, meaning they automatically become the new diocesan bishop when the current one retires, dies, or resigns, ensuring a seamless transition and avoiding leadership vacuums in a diocese.

  • A suffragan bishop is an ordained assistant bishop elected to support the diocesan bishop in a large or complex diocese. Unlike a Bishop Coadjutor, a suffragan does not automatically succeed the diocesan bishop. They are elected by a convention, possess full episcopal orders, and serve under the direction of the diocesan bishop.

    What do they do?

  • Govern: They are a crucial part of the General Convention, which legislates for the entire

    church.

  • Elect: They elect the Presiding Bishop (subject to Deputy confirmation) and other church

    leaders.

  • Meet between Conventions: They hold separate meetings between General Conventions

    to address current church and societal issues.

  • Provide Leadership: They offer theological reflection and guidance, fostering

    connection among bishops facing challenges in their dioceses.

    How it works:

• During General Convention, the House of Bishops meets concurrently with the House of Deputies, and resolutions must pass both houses in identical forms to become church law.

What is the House of Deputies?

The House of Deputies is the other legislative body comprising the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. It acts as a primary governing body, consisting of elected lay and clergy representatives from every diocese who meet every three years to determine church policy, budget, and doctrine.

Interesting Details About the House of Deputies:

  • Composition: Comprised of four lay deputies and four clergy deputies from each

    diocese, plus representatives from the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe,

    Navajoland, and others.

  • Legislative Function: Acts as the lower house, but in conjunction with the House of

    Bishops, it passes canons (laws), amends the Book of Common Prayer, and sets the

    church's mission and budget.

  • Leadership: The House is led by the President of the House of Deputies, elected every

    three years, who serves as vice-chair of the Executive Council and holds a major leadership role alongside the Presiding Bishop.

    • Role in Election: It confirms the election of the Presiding Bishop, who is chosen by the House of Bishops.

The House of Deputies ensures democratic representation, allowing both ordained priests and laypeople (non-ordained) to vote on critical matters affecting the Episcopal Church.

So, in summary, the House of Bishops and House of Deputies constitute a bicameral General Convention, meeting every three years to govern the Episcopal Church by acting independently yet requiring mutual consent on all legislation, including budgets, canons, and prayer book changes. They share authority, with the House of Bishops focusing on episcopal oversight and the House of Deputies representing clerical and lay voices.

  • Legislative Process: Both houses must pass identical language for a resolution to adopt it. If one house amends a resolution, it is returned to the other for concurrence.

  • Election of the Presiding Bishop: The House of Bishops elects the Presiding Bishop, but this choice requires confirmation by the House of Deputies.

  • Joint Sessions & Committees: While they usually meet separately, they gather for joint sessions to hear reports or the budget presentation. They also operate together on committees such as the Executive Council, which manages church affairs between conventions.

  • Leadership: The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies often work together to coordinate, such as on the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements.

    There are many advantages to this system, some of which are:

  • Checks and Balances: The House of Bishops (representing the apostolic, pastoral oversight) and the House of Deputies (representing the clergy and laity of dioceses) act as a check on each other, preventing any single group from unilaterally driving policy.

  • Diverse Representation: The House of Deputies includes four priests or deacons and four lay people from each diocese, ensuring that the voice of the laity is directly involved in, and holds equal power over, the legislative process.

  • Deliberate and Careful Action: The requirement for both houses to agree on legislation encourages careful consideration, reducing the likelihood of hasty or impulsive decisions.

  • Broad Consensus-Building: Because resolutions must pass both houses, the system forces collaboration between the bishops and the House of Deputies, leading to legislation that has broader support across the entire church.

  • Thematic Focus: While the House of Bishops often focuses on pastoral care, theology, and the overall state of the church, the House of Deputies, being a larger and more varied body (approx. 750+ members), brings a more grassroots perspective to the legislative process.

Author: The Reverend Ashley Wright