Explore Governance Topics
The Diocese is governed by the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (The Episcopal Church), with authority of the Church in this diocese vested in the bishop diocesan, a Council of elected delegates and clergy and an elected Standing Committee.
The Council, which meets annually in February, is presided over by the bishop, and includes our two bishops Suffragan, all canonically resident clergy, lay delegates who represent congregations, college chaplaincies and youth representatives.
The Executive Board exercises all powers of the Diocesan Council between the annual meetings with the bishop as chair. The Executive Board includes: the bishops Suffragan, the treasurer, the Episcopal Church Women’s president as well as 15 elected members (six clergy and nine lay); convocational deans and chairs of Executive Board divisions.
Every three years, Council members elect lay and clergy deputies to represent the Diocese of Texas at the Churches triennial General Convention. Each year, delegates elect new members for the Executive Board and the Standing Committee to fill vacancies left by expired terms.
Bishops are successors to the Apostles, who have been consecrated by other bishops. In the Episcopal Church there are five kinds of bishops: presiding, diocesan, Suffragan, assistant and coadjutor. The different titles define their function. The presiding bishop is elected to represent the Episcopal Church, but does not have jurisdiction in the dioceses. The bishop diocesan is elected to have oversight of a diocese, assisted by Suffragan, or sometimes assistant bishops. A bishop coadjutor is elected to succeed the bishop diocesan. Suffragans are elected but do not have right to succession.
