Help us find a new Bishop
/With our current Bishop, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, retiring in July 2021, the search to find the next Bishop of Rochester has begun.
The Diocese wants to know what matters to you, your church, and your local area, as this will help identify the qualities needed in the next Bishop and the issues and concerns that should be their top priority.
What does a bishop do?
The ministry of bishops – also known as episcopal ministry - is about caring for all God’s people and leading them in the task of presenting the Christian faith in the world.
How is a new bishop found?
When a diocesan bishop leaves their role in the Church of England, the mechanism used to find and appoint the next bishop is called the Vacancy in See process.
This process is managed and overseen by a group of elected members of clergy and lay people from across the area of the Diocese.
The Vacancy in See Committee has a number of important things it needs to do. They are:
Engage with as wide a group of people as possible to help identify the qualities required in the next bishop,
Listen to what has been said; and then,
Prepare a Statement of Needs to help those drawn by God to the post, to understand more about the Diocese and its needs.
The Vacancy in See Committee also works with a group called the Crown Nominations Commission.
This is the national body that submits the name of the person they believe God is calling to be the next Bishop to the Prime Minister.
How you can get involved
What are the challenges and opportunities that are facing the people, churches and communities across the areas of Medway, north and west Kent, and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley that the Diocese covers?
You can share your views and help identify the next bishop, by taking a simple survey.
You can complete the survey online by visiting: www.rochester.anglican.org/diocese/help-us-find-a-new-bishop/
