The Search for our First Bishop

Search and Transition Committee applications were opened in Summer 2025. Before the Standing Committee had access to the applications, they developed rubrics for the two committees to help guide their selection process. In total, they received about twice the number of applications as there were spots. The Standing Committee discerned from among the nominees who will be appointed to each committee, along with who will serve as chairs of each committee. There were no predetermined members or leaders of either committee.

In some ways, yes. It is a long time. However, we are working closely with the presiding bishop’s office and following standard timelines for search for a bishop – in fact, some search processes alone (not including electing and consecrating!) take more than two years, so in church time, we’ve got a focused and aggressive timeline.

The biggest reason this process stretches over almost two years is because we want to leave room for everyone in our diocese to participate in the process through contributing feedback to listening sessions which will help shape the profile, through prayer, and through engagement. Our goal is that this process would be as inclusive and transparent as appropriately possible so that we are truly calling our bishop whom the Holy Spirit is preparing for us. We aim to be open and listening to each other and to the movement of the Holy Spirit, our faithful advocate, guide, and counselor.

Another reason this process is lengthy is because it is vital that we carefully execute our due diligence on background and other checks in the process. 

Finally, we had to find a time in Presiding Bishop Sean’s calendar for our consecration! God willing and the people consenting, ours will be far from the only diocese consecrating a bishop in the near term, so we all have to work together on scheduling. Our first bishop diocesan will be consecrated on May 8, 2027 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Grand Blanc.

There are two main reasons for the time between the end of the consent period – and even the time when our bishop-elect will begin work – and the consecration in May of 2027. First, we want to avoid planning a big, inclusive service in our diocese in the winter months which can make travel unpredictable at best and unsafe at worst. Second, Presiding Bishop Sean already has a pretty full schedule, so we had to fit in to what was available. 

Our hope is that we’ll talk about this so often and in so many different ways and places that you’ll never have to wonder where we are in the process. However, if you ever do, this webpage will remain up to date with all of our details and opportunities for engagement. You can also direct questions to bishopsearch[at]greatlakesepiscopal.org or bishoptransition[at]greatlakesepiscopal.org.