Officers of Conference

The Presiding Bishop is the official head and chief pastor of the Church and shall exercise the powers, privileges and authority of that office subject to the directions of Conference and the laws and usages of the Church. The Presiding Bishop shall be a Minister of the Church and be elected according to the provisions of Appendix 10. The Presiding Bishop shall normally assume duty on the 1st January some 18 months after election and shall continue in the office for a five (5) year term, but is eligible for re-election for one (1) further term. He/she shall be inducted by the Presiding Bishop who most recently vacated the office and who is available.

5.7.1.1                 give spiritual leadership to the Church;

5.7.1.2                 watch over the interests of the Connexion, give counsel and guidance where necessary, and to promote within the provisions of the Laws and Discipline and Regulations the spiritual advancement of the Church and its general well-being;

5.7.1.3                 be pastor to the Bishops and the General Secretary and other persons in the Church;

5.7.1.4                 be a member of and to preside at or depute the power to preside at the Sessions of Conference, the Connexional Executive and all Connexional Committees;

5.7.1.5                 ensure the observance of the resolutions and directions of Conference and of the Connexional Executive, having authority to permit exceptions or departures;

5.7.1.6                 approve or otherwise the suspension from office or ministry of any Minister who is the subject of disciplinary procedure;

5.7.1.7                 appoint when necessary a Committee to consult and make recommendations as to the manner of dealing with questions of public importance;

5.7.1.8                 in association with the General Secretary, ordain Ministers to the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments and Deacons to the Ministry of Word an Service;

5.7.1.9                 be the Official Trustee and Vestee for the Church of all property, movable and immovable, belonging to or which may be acquired by the Church;

5.7.1.10               execute on behalf of the Church, subject to there having been compliance with all of the relevant regulations and requirements, any power of attorney or other document which may be required in connection with the acquisition, alienation, transfer or mortgage of landed property (Chapter 10);

5.7.1.11               in conjunction with the General Secretary, represent the Church in all legal proceedings instituted by or against it unless a Registrar has been appointed by the Connexional Executive;

5.7.1.12               assist or to depute someone to assist at any Synod if applied to for that purpose by the Bishop or by a majority of the Superintendents in the District;

5.7.1.13               visit any Circuit to inquire into its affairs and, in consultation with the Bishop, to redress any grievance;

5.7.1.14               exercise all other powers, privileges and authority entrusted by Conference or the Connexional Executive;

5.7.1.15               institute such processes as may be deemed necessary for the proper exercise of the Oversight Ministry implicit within the normal duties and responsibilities of the Presiding Bishop;

5.7.1.16               be the Chief Public Relations Officer who may issue statements on matters of national or global importance. In matters of public concern s/he may consult the Bishops. (Officers of Connexional Units shall communicate with the Presiding Bishop if needs be on matters which may require consideration).

5.7.2      The Presiding Bishop has the privilege and power of two members in all the acts of Conference and of the Connexional Executive.

5.7.3      In Conference, the Connexional Executive and all Connexional Committees, the Presiding Bishop shall represent and be charged with the general interests of the Connexion.

5.7.4      Should any matter arise in the interval between Conferences or meetings of the Connexional Executive for which no provision is made in Laws and Discipline or in the decisions of Conference or the Connexional Executive, and which cannot be deferred for decision by the next Conference or dealt with by the Connexional Executive without the interests of the Church or individuals concerned being prejudiced thereby, the Presiding Bishop may take any necessary action and such action shall be deemed to be the act of Conference or of the Connexional Executive and to have the full force and effect thereof. When using this power The Presiding Bishop shall at his/her sole discretion only be obliged to consult with or give a hearing to such person or persons as he/she deems necessary.

5.7.5      In the event of the death, affliction, impeachment of or inability to serve for any other reason, of the Presiding Bishop:

5.7.5.1                 the Presiding Bishop-elect shall temporarily or permanently, as the case may be, assume the office. Such extra term of office shall not be considered part of the Presiding Bishop-elect’s first term of office;

5.7.5.2                 if a Presiding Bishop-elect has not yet been elected, the General Secretary shall as soon as possible convene the Connexional Executive who shall elect an interim Presiding Bishop. The first meeting of the District Synods thereafter shall elect a Presiding Bishop who shall immediately assume the office;

5.7.5.3                 the Presiding Bishop shall designate one of the District Bishops as Acting Presiding Bishop during any period of extended absence from the Connexion;

5.7.5.4                 a properly appointed or designated substitute shall assume all the duties, powers, privileges and authority of the Presiding Bishop. A certificate by the General Secretary shall be sufficient proof of such substitute’s power to act.

5.7.6      An accusation made against the Presiding Bishop should be dealt with in terms of Chapter 11.49.