Diocesan Position

Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan

Position Description

Canon for Northern Collaborative, Beloved Community and Creation Care

Context: We are in a season of practice when both dioceses explore how we might structure ourselves as we work together more closely. We are seeking to call a Canon for Collaborative who will also coach leaders for Beloved Community and Creation Care for an initial term of four years. They will join the Canon for Digital Communities and the Canon for Formation. The Canon for Collaborative model will help us build greater networking among leaders and focus on Congregational Development and growth while reducing isolation.

Position Summary: The Canon for Collaborative will coach, encourage, and equip congregations to align with the mission and vision of the dioceses in their local contexts of ministry. They will visit congregations to equip, empower, and encourage all the baptized within their jurisdiction, no more than 34 congregations each, on Sundays and at other times. The three Canons for Collaboratives will work closely with each other and alongside the rest of the Eastern and Western Michigan staff members.  

Hours of the Position:  

The position is full-time.

Responsible to:

The Bishop Provisional.

Qualifications:

• An ordained Episcopal priest with at least seven years of enterprising leadership experience in growing congregations spiritually, numerically, and in missional leadership
• A servant-leader who understands the birth pangs and joys of a changing church in a changing culture
• A multi-tasking leader who practices relationship-building
• An effective facilitator of meetings with the emotional intelligence to transform “us vs. them” into a culture of Beloved Community. 
• Prioritizes collaboration amongst the clergy, lay staff, and lay leaders
• Demonstrates effectiveness in coordinating and organizing various ministries of parish life
• Able to comply with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan
• Adept at using modern technologies, including email, digital calendars, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

1.Parish Development

• Regularly visit every parish in the region and as many times as needed to worship, preach, teach, and assist as they experience and communicate successes, key activities, and programs within their neighborhood and the state.
• Lead parishes to identify and clarify their communities’ unique gifts, resources, and passions for ministry and encourage regional and diocesan collaboration. 
• Using the tools and wisdom from the College for Congregational Development, lead parishes to identify and grow in their unique identities, gifts, passions, and needs, as well as share their learnings in community, regional, and diocesan-wide partnership opportunities.
• Facilitate Mutual Ministry Reviews with clergy and their vestries approximately every three years or as needed.
• Ensure that parishes within the region comply with diocesan Safe Church, Dismantling Racism, and Lay Licensing requirements and promptly report annual financial reviews, elections, and parochial reports.
• Identify and assist parishes in distress and consult with them in developing and implementing realistic strategies to regain viability.  
• Serve as a resource for parishes in conflict, crisis, and transition. If a parish discerns they are to close their doors, assist with selling the property and its contents, and pastor the clergy and laity through the transition process.
• Identify and refer diocesan staff and volunteers who could assist parishes in strengthening their ministry programs, such as evangelism, communications, and networking tools, creation care and dismantling racism initiatives, and formation programs.
• Counsel and assist parishes regarding the data and processes they need to carry out in their search and transition efforts.
• Facilitate regular Zoom meetings for regional clergy, wardens, and parish leaders to ensure timely communication and formation.  
• Work closely with the bishop to foster substantive unity, growth in Christian leadership, and gracious collaboration across the two dioceses and generally as Episcopalians in Michigan.

1. Regional Engagement:

Build strong relationships with and between regional clergy and lay leaders through regular and as-needed clericus and other regional leadership meetings.

Serve as a resource and catalyst for parishes to partner in shared ministry.

Assess and address the unique needs of the region.

Structure, network, and systematize the region’s discernment, deployment, and transition efforts.

1. Diocesan Collaboration

Help parishes articulate and communicate a keen understanding of the diocesan vision as it emerges and manifests in individual congregations and the region.

Work in partnership with the Bishop Provisional, the other Canons, and the various commissions and committees of both dioceses.

All Canons will regularly consult with the staff and leadership of both dioceses. 

The Canons will discern with the Bishop Provisional and liaise with other committees.

1. Mission and Ministry Guidance

Encourage congregations in mission efforts to support the needy and the isolated in their parish and the community.

Guide parishes in strategizing for the future and understanding the missional church and 

Becoming Beloved Community with an eye on children, youth, and young adults (college students). 

Assist parishes in practicing effective and thoughtful stewardship of their time, talent, and resources with their community, the diocese, and the world.

FOCUS AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Individual Canons will bring focus to empower and equip leaders in both dioceses facilitating formation with measurable goals. Their primary mode of doing this work will be through gatherings in the three collaboratives to provide spiritual inspiration, substantive learning, and a follow-up system. 

The Canon for Beloved Community and Creation Care will coach:

• To inspire and resource congregations to form disciples who practice inclusion - racial, LGBTQ+, and others - so that historically vulnerable communities are seen, celebrated, and engaged for their giftedness.
• To integrate creation care and inclusion in a single tapestry of reconciliation.
• To provide guidance and administrative support through a designated staff member by helping individuals and congregations to thrive as beloved communities.

All Canons for Collaboratives will have an annual review and a mid-year check-in with the Bishop Provisional. 

Application Process:

Interested applicants should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and OTM Profile to:  

The Rt. Rev. Prince Singh at psingh@edwm.org or psingh@eastmich.org

The application deadline is May 31, 2023

This position requires a fair amount of driving.  Mileage is provided.

Interested applicants should e-mail a cover letter, resume, and OTM profile to:

The Rt. Rev. Prince Singh

psingh@edwm.org or

psingh@eastmich.org