Clergy and Lay Leader Expectations

Below you’ll find some reminders about expectations the bishop has of our leadership — both clergy and lay. If you find that these do not align with your expectations or you don’t feel able to meet these expectations, please share your thoughts with the bishop. Please take time to read through all of these; and let the office know what questions, concerns, or thoughts you have.

What to Expect from the Bishop

I will make time for you; the clergy of the diocese are my priority. I want to get to know you; and I hope we will continue to build trust and collaboration between us. I’m asking every active clergy member to contact the Bishop’s Assistant during the month of your birthday to set a time for us to meet. This can be over coffee, lunch, or Zoom. I can come to you, or we can meet at my office (at the Diocesan Center or my home office in Lee’s Summit). There is no agenda for this time together. My hope is simply to continue to get to know one another as we share ministry in the diocese.

Please know you can call or text me; I will pick up your call and listen to your messages. Do not assume I have your number in my contact list; please tell me who you are when texting or calling. When it comes to discussing conflict, concerns, or urgent matters, I prefer phone calls to email.

Keep in mind that I generally read and reply to email from 9 a.m to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. If you email me over the weekend, I may not get your message until Tuesday morning. More than that, I am slow to reply to email. I like time to think and process. If you have an urgent matter, please call or text me.

I will do my best to limit my calls to you between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If I call you outside those hours, be assured it is an urgent matter.

*When should you call?

• Major life events, health issues, a serious diagnosis, death in the family, a birth, an engagement or marriage (I have first dibs on presiding at your wedding!), discernment, new call, retirement.
• For consultation on leadership and pastoral issues. I expect you will also consult your therapist, wardens, trusted colleagues, and/or your dean.
• Major life events in the congregation or community, interpersonal conflicts, the death of a matriarch or patriarch, natural disasters, political events/protests, tragedy, misconduct by a religious or civil servant.

I want to know what is happening in your life. This includes moments of great joy, illness, grief, and everything in between. Do not assume I will see your life updates on social media. Indeed, before you are engaged, married, divorced, or dying please let me know. Never hesitate to make an appointment, ask for time to talk or have coffee or lunch, and, most of all, tell me specifically how I can pray for you. Be assured: I am praying for you. I reiterate: the clergy of the diocese are my priority. Never hesitate to reach out or contact me.

What the Bishop Expects from You

• First and foremost, I expect you to care for yourself, setting up the appropriate support systems, boundaries, and life balance to remain healthy and fulfilled. If you need help finding a therapist or spiritual director, the diocese can help you with this.
• I expect you to love and care for your people, and to seek the education, guidance, and support necessary to continue that love and care to the best of your ability.
• I expect you to attend to your spiritual life and to take retreats, sabbaticals, participate in the Church’s regular pattern of prayer, and engage in discernment at regular intervals.
• I expect you to show up for your colleagues as much as possible, including supporting one another publicly. I also expect you to attend clericus and deanery meetings, ask for and offer advice and counsel, join a clergy support group or Bible study, and attend ordinations and retirement parties. I don’t expect you to be at every event (see boundaries, above!) but to do what you can to support your colleagues.
• I expect you to ask for help from diocesan staff and to keep me apprised of ongoing issues in your life, the life of the congregation and the community. I don’t like surprises, and you will never bother me! I would prefer to know the rumblings of an issue before an angry parishioner shows up at the office or your letter of resignation has already been sent to the parish.
• I expect you to ask for what you need. This does not guarantee the need will be met; it does invite relationship and discernment as to what is next.
• I expect you to use the riches and variety of our Prayer Book and approved supplemental materials to provide meaningful worship in your context. If you use regular or occasional variations, please let me know about them and the reasons for the choice. Please ask for permission for any liturgical choices outside of the rubrics or authorized resources: I want to know your reasoning, the makeup of your liturgy team, and your decision-making process.
• If you are still using pre-packaged communion kits on Sunday mornings, please contact my office.
• To our bi-vocational clergy, our first quarterly Zoom is May 30th at 10 a.m. These will happen once a quarter. Please let the Bishop’s Assistant know if you did not get information regarding these meetings.
• Please answer my calls within 24 hours or emails within a few days.
• I expect all parochial clergy to attend our annual Clergy Conference. If you are unable to attend, please let me know as soon as you can and the reason for your absence.
• All clergy and lay leaders are invited to attend the annual Chrism Mass with renewal of vows at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. I do expect all parochial clergy to attend.

The diocesan staff is here to be a resource for you and your parish. Please know if you have questions or concerns about any of these expectations, you are encouraged to reach out to anyone on our staff. Our doors are always open to you!