The Diocesan Profile, which essentially serves as a prospectus for the next Bishop of Washington, was published on Sept. 14, and applications will be accepted until Oct. 15.

The 28-page profile describes the Diocese of Washington’s identity, ministries, strengths, challenges and goals and was assembled over the summer by the Bishop Search Committee.
It was informed by people from all over the diocese, who were invited to share their hopes for the ninth Bishop of Washington via focus groups, listening sessions and an online survey.

In June, more than 200 people from around 60 parishes and institutions attended 10 focus sessions. Input from these gatherings helped the Search Committee identify the diocese’s strong points and challenges and begin to define the skills and attributes sought in the next bishop.

In mid-July a survey was opened for six weeks and received 1,600 responses, Search Committee chairman Gerry Perez said. Later that month a draft of the Diocesan Profile was presented during three listening sessions at St. John's, Beltsville, Christ, Chaptico and St. Alban's, D.C., and participants were invited to offer their feedback. Comments also were received electronically.

Respondents are seeking a bishop who can be both a visionary leader and a pastor to the priests of the diocese, Perez said. He or she must be a good steward of resources and must be spiritual, approachable and personable, have a good sense of humor, be willing to grow into the job, possess good administrative skills and have experience running a large institution.

“We really are asking for a lot,” Perez said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the applications coming in.”

Those hoping to become bishop of “one of the most exciting dioceses in the church” must answer three carefully chosen questions:
1.  Why do you feel called to the ministry of a bishop?

2.  The Bishop of Washington must meet a broad set of challenging responsibilities,  including but not limited to the bishop’s significant administrative, pastoral, financial, and public roles. What abilities and experience would you bring to this ministry to take on these responsibilities? How would you seek to strengthen your skills?

3.  The Bishop of Washington has a special role to talk about faith in the Nation’s capital and presides at a unique cathedral called to seek reconciliation in a broken world. How would you address these?

“We spent a lot of time with those questions,” Perez said. “They’re pretty interesting questions and should be really insightful.”

The committee is anticipating around 150 applications, which also must include a CDO profile, resume information and two letters of nomination, from both a clergy member and a lay person.
Some candidates will be identified through a keyword search of the national church’s CDO Profile database based on the criteria set out in the Diocesan Profile. The announcement also has been posted in the House of Deans and House of Bishops databases, and applications also are invited from “anybody who feels called to do so or if any individual wants to reach out to someone and suggest they read the profile and submit an application,” Perez said.

The Search Committee is now finalizing the screening process, and will begin to vet applications immediately following the Oct. 15 deadline until the end of November.

“More than likely what we’ll have is a group review process,” Perez said, with the group reviewing applications together, in person. “That invites the Holy Spirit to be with us.”

In December and January, the committee will follow up with shortlisted candidates, either inviting them to visit the diocese or travelling to meet them, and on March 31 a final slate of four to six candidates will be presented.

“I’m hoping that we’re going to have a slate of four to six really dynamite people,” Perez said. “It won’t be possible to make a bad choice.”

The election will take place during a special convention in June, and the incumbent will be consecrated during a Nov. 12 service at Washington National Cathedral. Meanwhile, members of both the Search and Transition committees will be on hand at the fall Regional Assemblies to answer questions and allay fears, Perez said.

“We’ve been at work for the last four months,” he said. “It’s been a good process, it’s been a great group of people – very dynamic.”

While the Search Committee’s work is under way, the Transition Committee also has been hard at work. Among its accomplishments is an educational plan that will help parishes teach congregants about the discernment process of choosing a new bishop. Committee members have made themselves available to speak at parishes in the diocese or to engage in a pulpit exchange, so that clergy on the committee can come and visit, preach and lead worship and facilitate a forum about the search process.

* Follow the progress of the Bishop Search at http://search.edow.org/ or sign up to receive bi-monthly e-mail updates at bishopsearch@edow.org.