ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF JOS
THE ANGLICAN STRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS
A PAPER PRESENTED TO THE ORDAINANS ON 16TH OF JULY, 2008
Anglicanism is the term used to encapsulate the doctrine, religious belief, faith, system, practice and principles of the Church of England
and other Anglican churches. The term at its broadest “includes those who have accepted the work of the English Reformation as
embodied in the Church of England or on the offshoot Churches which in other countries have adhere at least substantially, to its
doctrines, its organization, and its liturgy.” Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a Medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246
meaning ‘the English church’.
As an objective, Anglican is used to describe the people, institutions and churches as well as the liturgical traditions and theological
concepts developed by the state established Church of England and the Anglican Communion, a theologically broad and often divergent
affiliation of thirty-eight provinces that are in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As a noun, an Anglican is a member of a church in the Anglican Communion. Not all member churches of the Anglican Communion use
the term “Anglican” in their names. Some instead use the term “Episcopal (such as the Episcopal Church in the united States of America
and the Scottish Episcopal Church). Though the use is disputed by the Anglican Communion, the term is also claimed by followers of
dissenting Anglican Groups which have left the Communion or have been founded separately from it.
CHARCTERISTIC OF ANGLICANISM
A characteristic of Anglicanism is that it has no international juridical authority. All thirty-nine provinces of the Anglican Communion are
independent, each with their own Primate and Governing structure. These Provinces may take the form of National churches (such as in
Canada, Uganda or Japan) or a collection of Nations (such as the West Indies, Central Africa or South Asia) or geographical regions
(such as Vanuatu and Solomon Islands) etc. Within these communion Provinces may exist subdivisions called Ecclesiastical Provinces,
under the jurisdiction of a Metropolitan. All Provinces of the Anglican Communion consist of Dioceses, each under the jurisdiction of a
Bishop. In the Anglican tradition, Bishops must be consecrated according to the structures of Apostolic succession, which Anglicans
consider one of the marks of Catholicity. Apart from Bishops, there are two other orders of ordained ministry: Deacon and Priest. No
requirement is made for Clerical Celibacy and women may be ordained as Deacons in almost all Provinces, as Priests in some, and as
Bishops in a few Provinces. Anglican religious orders and communities, suppressed in England during the Reformation, have re-emerged
since the mid-nineteenth century, and now have an international presence and influence.
Government in the Anglican Communion is Synodical, consisting of three houses of Laity (usually elected parish representatives), Clergy
and Bishops. National, Provincial, and Diocesan Synods maintain different scopes of authority, depending on their Canons and
Constitutions.
Anglicanism is not Congregational in its polity: it is the Diocese, not the Parish church, which is the smallest unit of authority in the church,
and Bishops must give their assent to resolutions passed by Synods.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT (or sometimes Church polity)
One of the longest standing debates within the realm of Christian thought is that of Church government and systems of polity. Roman
Catholics and Presbyterians and Baptists and virtually every other denomination included in the Christian sect has held that their system
of church polity is the "true" and "biblical" form. All quote the Bible for support,
This is that branch of ecclesiology (study of the church) that addresses the organizational structure and hierarchy of the church. There
are basically three types of church government that have developed in the various Christian denominations: the episcopal, the
presbyterian, and the congregational.
Though each church or denomination has its own characteristic structure, there are three general types of Polity. Ours is Episcopal polity.
Episcopal Polity is a form of Church governance which is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church
resting in a Bishop (Greek: epicopos). This Episcopal structure is found most often in the various churches of either Orthodox or Catholic
lineage. Some churches founded independently of these lineages also employ this form of church governance.
Churches having Episcopal polity are governed by Bishops, who have authority over dioceses. Their presidency over the diocese is
sacramental and political; as well as performing ordinations, confirmations, and consecrations; the bishop supervises the clergy of the
dioceses and represents the diocese both secularly and in the hierarchy of church governance.
Bishops in these systems may be subject to higher ranking Bishops (variously called Archbishops, Metropolitan and/or Patriarchs]
depending upon the tradition; they also meet in Councils or Synod. These Synods, subject to Presidency by higher ranking bishops, may
govern the dioceses which are represented in the council, though the Synod may also be purely advisory.
It usually considered that the bishops of an Episcopal polity derive such authority from an unbroken, personal Apostolic Succession from
the twelve apostles of Jesus. Bishops with such authority are known as the historic episcopate.
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is
governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders
known as the presbytery; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod, and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly.
Specific roles in church services are reserved for an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder, or a minister of the word and
sacrament.
Presbyterian polity was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops (Episcopal), but also differs from the
Congregationalist polity in which each congregation is independent. In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the Presbyterian polity
flows both from the top down (as higher assemblies exercise considerable authority over individual congregations) and from the bottom
up (as all officials ultimately owe their elections to individual church members). This theory of government developed in Geneva under
John Calvin and was introduced to Scotland by John Knox after his period of exile in Geneva. It is strongly associated with Swiss and
Scottish Reformation movements, and with the Reformed and Presbyterian churches.
As a form of church governance, small-p "Presbyterian" polity is not limited to those denominations that call themselves Presbyterian. In
its broadest sense, it is a term used to describe representative democracy in churches.
Congregationalist polity, often known as congregationalism, is a system of church governance in which every local church congregation is
independent, ecclesiastically sovereign, or "autonomous." Among those major Protestant Christian traditions that employ
congregationalism are those Congregational Churches known by the "Congregationalist" name that descended from the Anglo-American
Puritan movement of the 17th century, the Baptist churches, and most of the groups brought about by the Anabaptist movement in
Germany that immigrated to the U.S. in the late 18th century. More recent generations have witnessed also a growing number of non-
denominational churches, which are most often Congregationalist in their governance. In Christianity, congregationalism is distinguished
most clearly from Episcopal polity, which is governance by a hierarchy of bishops. But it is also distinct from Presbyterian polity, in which
higher assemblies of congregational representatives can exercise considerable authority over individual congregations.
ANGLICAN MINISTRY
Like the orthodox and Catholic churches (but unlike most Protestant Churches), the Anglican Communion maintains the threefold ministry
of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. Anglicans maintain that Bishops of the church are members of the historic episcopate, and derive their
authority through Apostolic Succession – an unbroken line of bishops that can be traced back to the Apostles of Jesus of Nazareth. The
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches do not recognize the validity of Anglican ordinations and treat convert Clergy as lay
people. In contrast, the Anglican Communion recognizes Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox ordinations a valid. Outside the Anglican
Communion, Anglican ordinations (at least of male Priest) are recognized by the Old Catholics, many Lutherans, other Protestant, and
various Independent catholic Churches.
THE ANGLICAN STRUCTURE
HEAD OF THE CHURCH
Contrary to popular misconception, the British Monarch is not the constitutional “Head” but in law “The supreme Governor” of the Church
of England, nor does he or she have any role in Provinces outside England and Wales. The role of the crown in the Church of England is
practically limited to the appointment of Bishops, including the Archbishops of Canterbury. This process is accomplished through
collaboration with and consent of ecclesial representatives. The monarch has no constitutional role in Anglican churches in other parts of
the world, although the Prayer books of several countries where she is head of state maintain prayers for her as sovereign.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
The Archbishop of Canterbury has a precedence of honour over the other Primates of the Anglican Communion, and for a Province to be
considered a part of the Communion means specifically to be in communion with the See of Canterbury. The Archbishop is, therefore
recognized a Primus inter Pares, or first among equals even though he does not exercise any direct authority in any province outside
England, of which he is s Chief Primate. The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, as former Archbishop of Wales, is the
first appointed from the outside the Church of England since the Reformation. As “spiritual head” of the communion, the Archbishop of
Canterbury maintains a certain moral authority, and has the right to determine which Churches will be in communion with his See. He
hosts and chairs the Lambeth Conferences of Anglican Communion Bishops, as well as the Anglican Communion Primates’ Meeting. He
acts as president of the secretariat of the Anglican Communion Office, and its deliberative body, the Anglican Consultative Council.
ARCHBISHOPS
In Christianity, an Archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In Anglican Church and others, this means that they led a Diocese of particular
importance called an Archdiocese, or in the Anglican Communion an ecclesiastical Province, but this is not always the case. An
archbishop is equivalent to a Bishop in scared matters but simply has a higher precedence or degree of prestige. Thus, when someone
who is already a bishop becomes an archbishop, that person does not receive Holy Orders again and/or any other sacrament; however,
when a person who is not a bishop at all becomes an archbishop, they will need to be ordained a bishop before being created an
archbishop and installed. The word comes from the Greek αρאּi , which means “first” or “Chief”, and ε, which means “over-
seer” or “supervisor”.
BISHOPS
Bishop comes from the Greek word episkopos (ε, from ε “over” and “seeing”) which can be translated
bishop, overseer, superintendent, supervisor, the first, leader or foreman. From the word episkopos are derived the English words
episcopacy, episcopate and Episcopal. The system of church government by Bishops is called episcopacy.
A bishop is an ordained member of the Christians Clergy. In our communion that maintains an Episcopal from of church government, a
Bishop holds a position of authority. Bishops form the leadership in the Anglican Communion.
The traditional role of a bishop is as Pastor of a Diocese (also called a Bishopric, or See), and so to serve as a “Diocesan Bishop”.
Dioceses vary considerably in their size of area and population.
He is the Chief Servant and Shepherd and a Ruler in the Church: to guard the faith, to ordain, and confirm, and to be the chief minister of
the word and sacrament in his Diocese
SUFFRAGAN BISHOP
This is an Assistant to the diocesan Bishop. In the Anglican Churches, the term applies to a bishop who is a full-time assistant to diocesan
bishop. Some Anglican suffragans are given the responsibility for a geographical area within the diocese. The practice of appointing such
bishops can be traced to the Suffragan Bishops Act 1534.
An Auxiliary Bishop, in the Anglican is an additional Bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his
functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal imperial
office requiring the diocesan bishop’s protracted presence at court.
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a Church context, is a Cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. It is used mainly in the Anglican
Communion and the Catholic Church. In the Church of England and elsewhere in the Anglican Communion, the dean is the chief resident
of a Cathedral or other collegiate church and the head of the chapter of Canons. If the cathedral or collegiate church has its own parish,
the dean is usually also Rector of the parish.
In some parts of the Communion (particularly in Scottish Episcopal Church and, formerly in some Cathedrals in England), the senior
resident Cleric in a Cathedral is a Provost. The style The Very Reverend distinguished a Cleric as a dean (or a Cathedral provost)
Rural Dean
In many parts of the Anglican Communion, parishes are grouped together to form deaneries, each being a constituent administrative
district of the diocese. Usually, a deanery is led by one of the incumbents of the deanery’s parishes, who is called a rural dean, but in
more urban areas this has often been replaced by the title Area dean or Regional dean. Such a dean chairs the meeting of the deanery’s
clergy (which, like a Cathedral, is called a Chapter), and may also chairs a deanery synod. Rural Deans (and those known by alternative
titles) rank as primi inter pares of their chapters, and do not have the seniority of Cathedral or Diocesan deans.
The head of an Anglican theological college or seminary may also be called a dean (in common with its use in education)
VICAR GENERAL
A vicar general (often abbreviated VG) is the Principal Deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As
vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop’s ordinary executive power over the entire diocese.
PROVOST (Religion)
Provost is a high ranking church official. In Anglican, the title of provost in Cathedrals was almost completely replaced by that of dean,
although sometimes when a bishop nominated himself as dean of his own Cathedral, a Provost was appointed as his deputy.
In cathedrals which were also parish churches, however, especially the newly-created cathedrals of the 19th and 20th centuries, the
Senior Priest (who was also the parish priest) continued to be known as the Provost. The usage is preserved in the title of the heads of
some colleges in England formerly administered by the Church.
The Provost is usually the most senior Priest in-charge of the Cathedral. He oversees the affairs of the Cathedral and sometimes he is
the Dean of the Cathedral. He works on any other assignment that may be given him by the bishop. They are addressed Very Reverend.
ARCHDEACON
A position of archdeacon is a senior position in Anglicanism, and in some other Christian Denominations, above that of most Clergy and
below a bishop. An Archdeacon is responsible for administration of an Archdeaconry, which is the principal subdivision of the diocese.
They are usually addressed Venerable.
CANON
Canon “has many uses.
PRIEST
A Priest or Priestess is person having the authority or power to perform and administer religious rites; and in particular, rites of sacrifice
to, and propitiation of the deity or deities. Their office or position is the Priesthood, a term which may also apply to such persons
collectively.
Priests and Priestesses have been known since the earliest of times and in the simplest societies. They exist in some branches of
Christianity, Shintoism, Hinduism, and many other religious as well and are generally regarded as having contact with the deities of the
religion to which he or she ascribes, often interpreting the meaning of events, performing the rituals of the religion, and to whom other
believers often will turn for advice on spiritual matters.
In many (but not all) religions, being a priest or priestess is full-time assignment, ruling out any other career. In other cases it is an
auxiliary role. The work of a Priest is mainly to Preach the word of God, to Teach and to Baptize; to celebrate the Holy Communion; to
pronounce absolution and blessing in God’s name and to care for the people entrusted by Bishop to his charge.
The Anglican Church, unlike the Roman Catholic or Orthodox traditions, had allowed the ordination of women as priests in some
provinces since the late twentieth century. This practice remains controversial, however, and a number of provinces retain all-male
priesthood.
VICAR
In the Church of England, Vicar is the ordinary title given to certain parish priests. Historically, Anglican Parish clergymen were divided
into rectors, vicars, and perpetual curates. These were distinguished according to the way in which they were remunerated. The church
was supported by tithes – taxes (traditionally, as the etymology of tithe suggests, of ten percent) levied on the agricultural output of the
parish. These were divided into greater tithes levied on wheat, any and wood, and lesser tithes levied on the remainder. A rector received
both greater and lesser tithes, a vicar the lesser tithe only. This was due to fact that a Monastery was the Rector – and they supplied a
Priest to act on their behalf (vicariously –hence ‘vicar’}).
A perpetual curate received no tithe income and was supported by the diocese. A perpetual curate was usually in charge of newly
created Parish carved out of a larger Rectoral or Vicarious Parish. In some cases a portion of the tithe income was given to support the
Priest. The adjective perpetual emphasizes that such a clergyman enjoyed the same security of tenure as his more affluent peers. As all
rectors, vicars and perpetual curates were personal representatives of the authority of the church in their parishes they were generally
styled parsons. However, this title was used most often by perpetual curates is often referred to as vicar, even when he or she does not
legally hold such a post. In the past, a similar situation led to all clergy being popularly referred to as parsons.
CURATE
From the Latin curates (compare Curator), a curate is a person who is invested with the care, or cure (cura), of souls of a parish. In this
sense, it technically means a parish priest. However, in the Anglican Church it has come to mean an Assistant priest or deacon, and in
the Catholic Church it is often the term used for the parochial vicar or priest assigned to assist the pastor of a parish.
Originally, a bishop would entrust a priest with the ‘cure of souls’ (pastoral ministry) of a parish. When, in medieval Europe, this included
the legal freehold of church land in the parish, the parish priest was the perpetual curate (curates perpetuus). Occasionally, a bishop
might appoint a temporary or assistant curate (curates temporalis). This was particularly the case when the perpetual curate was absent
or needed assistance.
DEACON
Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and
denominational traditions. In many traditions, the diaconate is a clerical office; in others, it is for laity.
The word deacon (and deaconess) is derived from the Greek word diakonos (α), which is often translated Servant or more
specifically Waiter. Some believe that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men (among them Stephen)to assist with
the pastoral and administrative needs of the early church. (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 6). The exact relationship between Deacons and
Deaconesses is ecclesiologically unclear; in some traditions a deaconess is simply a female deacon; in others, deaconesses constitute a
separate order. A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon, and of his household, can be found in 1Timothy 3:8-13.
The work of a deacon is to help the Priest both in the conduct of worship and in the care of souls.
OTHERS THINGS OF NOTE:
DIOCESE
In Anglican churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit administrated by a bishop, hence also referred to as a bishopric or
Episcopal Area (as in United Methodism)or Episcopal see, though more often the term Episcopal see means the office held by the bishop.
The diocese is the key unit of authority in the form of church governance known as Episcopal polity.
SYNOD
A synod (also known as a council) is a council of a Church, usually a Christian church, convened to decide on issue of doctrine,
administration or application. An ecumenical council is so named because it is a synod of the whole church (or, more accurately, of what
those who call it consider to be the whole church).
The word comes from the Greek Meaning “assembly” or “meeting”, and it is synonymous with the Latin word concilium –
“council”. Originally synods were meetings of bishops, and the word is still used in that sense in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Sometimes the phrase general synod or general council refers to an ecumenical council. The word synod also refers to the standing
council of high-ranking bishops governing some of the Eastern Orthodox churches.
In the Anglican Communion, Synods are elected by clergy and laity. In most Anglican churches, there sis a geographical hierarchy of
synods, with General Synod at the top; bishops, clergy and laity meet as “houses” within the synod.
Diocesan synods are convened by a bishop in his diocese, and consist of elected clergy and lay members.
Deanery synods are convened by the Rural Dean (or Area Dean) and consist of all clergy licensed to be benefice within the deanery plus
elected lay members.
PARISH
A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. It is used by some Christian churches, usually liturgical churches, and also by the civil
government in a number of countries. A parish is a territorial subdivision of a diocese, eparchy or bishopric, within the Roman Catholic
Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of Sweden, and some other churches. The word “parish” is
also used more generally to refer to the collection of people who attend a particular church. In this usage, a parish minister is one who
serves a congregation.
In the Anglican Church, each parish has one parish priest (as he is usually called in England, Ireland and Australia, among other places)
or “pastor” (as he is called in the United States, among other places), who has responsibility and canonical authority over the parish (the
Latin for this post is parochus).
A parish priest may have one or more fellow priests assisting him. In Anglican usage this priest is technically a “parochial vicar”, but is
commonly called an “associate pastor” or “assistant pastor” (or just “associate” or “assistant”), a curate, or vicar-common as they are,
these terms are inaccurate and many dioceses have recently begun using the canonical term “parochial vicar” even in general parish
communications (bulletins and the like).
Each parish normally has a central church, called the Parish church, where religious services take place. Some larger parishes or
parishes that have been combined under one pastor may have two or more such churches, or the parish may be responsible for chapels
(sometimes called “chapels of ease”) located at some distance from the parish church for the convenience of distant parishioners.
As you will be ordained, ask the spirit to open you up to the rich history and tradition of the Anglican Communion.
Rev Sambo with helps from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and The Revised Catechism- Diocese of Jos.
A PAPER PRESENTED TO THE ORDAINANS ON 16TH OF JULY, 2008
Anglicanism is the term used to encapsulate the doctrine, religious belief, faith, system, practice and principles of the Church of England
and other Anglican churches. The term at its broadest “includes those who have accepted the work of the English Reformation as
embodied in the Church of England or on the offshoot Churches which in other countries have adhere at least substantially, to its
doctrines, its organization, and its liturgy.” Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a Medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246
meaning ‘the English church’.
As an objective, Anglican is used to describe the people, institutions and churches as well as the liturgical traditions and theological
concepts developed by the state established Church of England and the Anglican Communion, a theologically broad and often divergent
affiliation of thirty-eight provinces that are in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As a noun, an Anglican is a member of a church in the Anglican Communion. Not all member churches of the Anglican Communion use
the term “Anglican” in their names. Some instead use the term “Episcopal (such as the Episcopal Church in the united States of America
and the Scottish Episcopal Church). Though the use is disputed by the Anglican Communion, the term is also claimed by followers of
dissenting Anglican Groups which have left the Communion or have been founded separately from it.
CHARCTERISTIC OF ANGLICANISM
A characteristic of Anglicanism is that it has no international juridical authority. All thirty-nine provinces of the Anglican Communion are
independent, each with their own Primate and Governing structure. These Provinces may take the form of National churches (such as in
Canada, Uganda or Japan) or a collection of Nations (such as the West Indies, Central Africa or South Asia) or geographical regions
(such as Vanuatu and Solomon Islands) etc. Within these communion Provinces may exist subdivisions called Ecclesiastical Provinces,
under the jurisdiction of a Metropolitan. All Provinces of the Anglican Communion consist of Dioceses, each under the jurisdiction of a
Bishop. In the Anglican tradition, Bishops must be consecrated according to the structures of Apostolic succession, which Anglicans
consider one of the marks of Catholicity. Apart from Bishops, there are two other orders of ordained ministry: Deacon and Priest. No
requirement is made for Clerical Celibacy and women may be ordained as Deacons in almost all Provinces, as Priests in some, and as
Bishops in a few Provinces. Anglican religious orders and communities, suppressed in England during the Reformation, have re-emerged
since the mid-nineteenth century, and now have an international presence and influence.
Government in the Anglican Communion is Synodical, consisting of three houses of Laity (usually elected parish representatives), Clergy
and Bishops. National, Provincial, and Diocesan Synods maintain different scopes of authority, depending on their Canons and
Constitutions.
Anglicanism is not Congregational in its polity: it is the Diocese, not the Parish church, which is the smallest unit of authority in the church,
and Bishops must give their assent to resolutions passed by Synods.
CHURCH GOVERNMENT (or sometimes Church polity)
One of the longest standing debates within the realm of Christian thought is that of Church government and systems of polity. Roman
Catholics and Presbyterians and Baptists and virtually every other denomination included in the Christian sect has held that their system
of church polity is the "true" and "biblical" form. All quote the Bible for support,
This is that branch of ecclesiology (study of the church) that addresses the organizational structure and hierarchy of the church. There
are basically three types of church government that have developed in the various Christian denominations: the episcopal, the
presbyterian, and the congregational.
Though each church or denomination has its own characteristic structure, there are three general types of Polity. Ours is Episcopal polity.
Episcopal Polity is a form of Church governance which is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church
resting in a Bishop (Greek: epicopos). This Episcopal structure is found most often in the various churches of either Orthodox or Catholic
lineage. Some churches founded independently of these lineages also employ this form of church governance.
Churches having Episcopal polity are governed by Bishops, who have authority over dioceses. Their presidency over the diocese is
sacramental and political; as well as performing ordinations, confirmations, and consecrations; the bishop supervises the clergy of the
dioceses and represents the diocese both secularly and in the hierarchy of church governance.
Bishops in these systems may be subject to higher ranking Bishops (variously called Archbishops, Metropolitan and/or Patriarchs]
depending upon the tradition; they also meet in Councils or Synod. These Synods, subject to Presidency by higher ranking bishops, may
govern the dioceses which are represented in the council, though the Synod may also be purely advisory.
It usually considered that the bishops of an Episcopal polity derive such authority from an unbroken, personal Apostolic Succession from
the twelve apostles of Jesus. Bishops with such authority are known as the historic episcopate.
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is
governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders
known as the presbytery; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod, and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly.
Specific roles in church services are reserved for an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder, or a minister of the word and
sacrament.
Presbyterian polity was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops (Episcopal), but also differs from the
Congregationalist polity in which each congregation is independent. In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the Presbyterian polity
flows both from the top down (as higher assemblies exercise considerable authority over individual congregations) and from the bottom
up (as all officials ultimately owe their elections to individual church members). This theory of government developed in Geneva under
John Calvin and was introduced to Scotland by John Knox after his period of exile in Geneva. It is strongly associated with Swiss and
Scottish Reformation movements, and with the Reformed and Presbyterian churches.
As a form of church governance, small-p "Presbyterian" polity is not limited to those denominations that call themselves Presbyterian. In
its broadest sense, it is a term used to describe representative democracy in churches.
Congregationalist polity, often known as congregationalism, is a system of church governance in which every local church congregation is
independent, ecclesiastically sovereign, or "autonomous." Among those major Protestant Christian traditions that employ
congregationalism are those Congregational Churches known by the "Congregationalist" name that descended from the Anglo-American
Puritan movement of the 17th century, the Baptist churches, and most of the groups brought about by the Anabaptist movement in
Germany that immigrated to the U.S. in the late 18th century. More recent generations have witnessed also a growing number of non-
denominational churches, which are most often Congregationalist in their governance. In Christianity, congregationalism is distinguished
most clearly from Episcopal polity, which is governance by a hierarchy of bishops. But it is also distinct from Presbyterian polity, in which
higher assemblies of congregational representatives can exercise considerable authority over individual congregations.
ANGLICAN MINISTRY
Like the orthodox and Catholic churches (but unlike most Protestant Churches), the Anglican Communion maintains the threefold ministry
of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops. Anglicans maintain that Bishops of the church are members of the historic episcopate, and derive their
authority through Apostolic Succession – an unbroken line of bishops that can be traced back to the Apostles of Jesus of Nazareth. The
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches do not recognize the validity of Anglican ordinations and treat convert Clergy as lay
people. In contrast, the Anglican Communion recognizes Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox ordinations a valid. Outside the Anglican
Communion, Anglican ordinations (at least of male Priest) are recognized by the Old Catholics, many Lutherans, other Protestant, and
various Independent catholic Churches.
THE ANGLICAN STRUCTURE
HEAD OF THE CHURCH
Contrary to popular misconception, the British Monarch is not the constitutional “Head” but in law “The supreme Governor” of the Church
of England, nor does he or she have any role in Provinces outside England and Wales. The role of the crown in the Church of England is
practically limited to the appointment of Bishops, including the Archbishops of Canterbury. This process is accomplished through
collaboration with and consent of ecclesial representatives. The monarch has no constitutional role in Anglican churches in other parts of
the world, although the Prayer books of several countries where she is head of state maintain prayers for her as sovereign.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
The Archbishop of Canterbury has a precedence of honour over the other Primates of the Anglican Communion, and for a Province to be
considered a part of the Communion means specifically to be in communion with the See of Canterbury. The Archbishop is, therefore
recognized a Primus inter Pares, or first among equals even though he does not exercise any direct authority in any province outside
England, of which he is s Chief Primate. The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, as former Archbishop of Wales, is the
first appointed from the outside the Church of England since the Reformation. As “spiritual head” of the communion, the Archbishop of
Canterbury maintains a certain moral authority, and has the right to determine which Churches will be in communion with his See. He
hosts and chairs the Lambeth Conferences of Anglican Communion Bishops, as well as the Anglican Communion Primates’ Meeting. He
acts as president of the secretariat of the Anglican Communion Office, and its deliberative body, the Anglican Consultative Council.
ARCHBISHOPS
In Christianity, an Archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In Anglican Church and others, this means that they led a Diocese of particular
importance called an Archdiocese, or in the Anglican Communion an ecclesiastical Province, but this is not always the case. An
archbishop is equivalent to a Bishop in scared matters but simply has a higher precedence or degree of prestige. Thus, when someone
who is already a bishop becomes an archbishop, that person does not receive Holy Orders again and/or any other sacrament; however,
when a person who is not a bishop at all becomes an archbishop, they will need to be ordained a bishop before being created an
archbishop and installed. The word comes from the Greek αρאּi , which means “first” or “Chief”, and ε, which means “over-
seer” or “supervisor”.
BISHOPS
Bishop comes from the Greek word episkopos (ε, from ε “over” and “seeing”) which can be translated
bishop, overseer, superintendent, supervisor, the first, leader or foreman. From the word episkopos are derived the English words
episcopacy, episcopate and Episcopal. The system of church government by Bishops is called episcopacy.
A bishop is an ordained member of the Christians Clergy. In our communion that maintains an Episcopal from of church government, a
Bishop holds a position of authority. Bishops form the leadership in the Anglican Communion.
The traditional role of a bishop is as Pastor of a Diocese (also called a Bishopric, or See), and so to serve as a “Diocesan Bishop”.
Dioceses vary considerably in their size of area and population.
He is the Chief Servant and Shepherd and a Ruler in the Church: to guard the faith, to ordain, and confirm, and to be the chief minister of
the word and sacrament in his Diocese
SUFFRAGAN BISHOP
This is an Assistant to the diocesan Bishop. In the Anglican Churches, the term applies to a bishop who is a full-time assistant to diocesan
bishop. Some Anglican suffragans are given the responsibility for a geographical area within the diocese. The practice of appointing such
bishops can be traced to the Suffragan Bishops Act 1534.
An Auxiliary Bishop, in the Anglican is an additional Bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his
functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal imperial
office requiring the diocesan bishop’s protracted presence at court.
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a Church context, is a Cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. It is used mainly in the Anglican
Communion and the Catholic Church. In the Church of England and elsewhere in the Anglican Communion, the dean is the chief resident
of a Cathedral or other collegiate church and the head of the chapter of Canons. If the cathedral or collegiate church has its own parish,
the dean is usually also Rector of the parish.
In some parts of the Communion (particularly in Scottish Episcopal Church and, formerly in some Cathedrals in England), the senior
resident Cleric in a Cathedral is a Provost. The style The Very Reverend distinguished a Cleric as a dean (or a Cathedral provost)
Rural Dean
In many parts of the Anglican Communion, parishes are grouped together to form deaneries, each being a constituent administrative
district of the diocese. Usually, a deanery is led by one of the incumbents of the deanery’s parishes, who is called a rural dean, but in
more urban areas this has often been replaced by the title Area dean or Regional dean. Such a dean chairs the meeting of the deanery’s
clergy (which, like a Cathedral, is called a Chapter), and may also chairs a deanery synod. Rural Deans (and those known by alternative
titles) rank as primi inter pares of their chapters, and do not have the seniority of Cathedral or Diocesan deans.
The head of an Anglican theological college or seminary may also be called a dean (in common with its use in education)
VICAR GENERAL
A vicar general (often abbreviated VG) is the Principal Deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As
vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop’s ordinary executive power over the entire diocese.
PROVOST (Religion)
Provost is a high ranking church official. In Anglican, the title of provost in Cathedrals was almost completely replaced by that of dean,
although sometimes when a bishop nominated himself as dean of his own Cathedral, a Provost was appointed as his deputy.
In cathedrals which were also parish churches, however, especially the newly-created cathedrals of the 19th and 20th centuries, the
Senior Priest (who was also the parish priest) continued to be known as the Provost. The usage is preserved in the title of the heads of
some colleges in England formerly administered by the Church.
The Provost is usually the most senior Priest in-charge of the Cathedral. He oversees the affairs of the Cathedral and sometimes he is
the Dean of the Cathedral. He works on any other assignment that may be given him by the bishop. They are addressed Very Reverend.
ARCHDEACON
A position of archdeacon is a senior position in Anglicanism, and in some other Christian Denominations, above that of most Clergy and
below a bishop. An Archdeacon is responsible for administration of an Archdeaconry, which is the principal subdivision of the diocese.
They are usually addressed Venerable.
CANON
Canon “has many uses.
PRIEST
A Priest or Priestess is person having the authority or power to perform and administer religious rites; and in particular, rites of sacrifice
to, and propitiation of the deity or deities. Their office or position is the Priesthood, a term which may also apply to such persons
collectively.
Priests and Priestesses have been known since the earliest of times and in the simplest societies. They exist in some branches of
Christianity, Shintoism, Hinduism, and many other religious as well and are generally regarded as having contact with the deities of the
religion to which he or she ascribes, often interpreting the meaning of events, performing the rituals of the religion, and to whom other
believers often will turn for advice on spiritual matters.
In many (but not all) religions, being a priest or priestess is full-time assignment, ruling out any other career. In other cases it is an
auxiliary role. The work of a Priest is mainly to Preach the word of God, to Teach and to Baptize; to celebrate the Holy Communion; to
pronounce absolution and blessing in God’s name and to care for the people entrusted by Bishop to his charge.
The Anglican Church, unlike the Roman Catholic or Orthodox traditions, had allowed the ordination of women as priests in some
provinces since the late twentieth century. This practice remains controversial, however, and a number of provinces retain all-male
priesthood.
VICAR
In the Church of England, Vicar is the ordinary title given to certain parish priests. Historically, Anglican Parish clergymen were divided
into rectors, vicars, and perpetual curates. These were distinguished according to the way in which they were remunerated. The church
was supported by tithes – taxes (traditionally, as the etymology of tithe suggests, of ten percent) levied on the agricultural output of the
parish. These were divided into greater tithes levied on wheat, any and wood, and lesser tithes levied on the remainder. A rector received
both greater and lesser tithes, a vicar the lesser tithe only. This was due to fact that a Monastery was the Rector – and they supplied a
Priest to act on their behalf (vicariously –hence ‘vicar’}).
A perpetual curate received no tithe income and was supported by the diocese. A perpetual curate was usually in charge of newly
created Parish carved out of a larger Rectoral or Vicarious Parish. In some cases a portion of the tithe income was given to support the
Priest. The adjective perpetual emphasizes that such a clergyman enjoyed the same security of tenure as his more affluent peers. As all
rectors, vicars and perpetual curates were personal representatives of the authority of the church in their parishes they were generally
styled parsons. However, this title was used most often by perpetual curates is often referred to as vicar, even when he or she does not
legally hold such a post. In the past, a similar situation led to all clergy being popularly referred to as parsons.
CURATE
From the Latin curates (compare Curator), a curate is a person who is invested with the care, or cure (cura), of souls of a parish. In this
sense, it technically means a parish priest. However, in the Anglican Church it has come to mean an Assistant priest or deacon, and in
the Catholic Church it is often the term used for the parochial vicar or priest assigned to assist the pastor of a parish.
Originally, a bishop would entrust a priest with the ‘cure of souls’ (pastoral ministry) of a parish. When, in medieval Europe, this included
the legal freehold of church land in the parish, the parish priest was the perpetual curate (curates perpetuus). Occasionally, a bishop
might appoint a temporary or assistant curate (curates temporalis). This was particularly the case when the perpetual curate was absent
or needed assistance.
DEACON
Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and
denominational traditions. In many traditions, the diaconate is a clerical office; in others, it is for laity.
The word deacon (and deaconess) is derived from the Greek word diakonos (α), which is often translated Servant or more
specifically Waiter. Some believe that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men (among them Stephen)to assist with
the pastoral and administrative needs of the early church. (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 6). The exact relationship between Deacons and
Deaconesses is ecclesiologically unclear; in some traditions a deaconess is simply a female deacon; in others, deaconesses constitute a
separate order. A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon, and of his household, can be found in 1Timothy 3:8-13.
The work of a deacon is to help the Priest both in the conduct of worship and in the care of souls.
OTHERS THINGS OF NOTE:
DIOCESE
In Anglican churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit administrated by a bishop, hence also referred to as a bishopric or
Episcopal Area (as in United Methodism)or Episcopal see, though more often the term Episcopal see means the office held by the bishop.
The diocese is the key unit of authority in the form of church governance known as Episcopal polity.
SYNOD
A synod (also known as a council) is a council of a Church, usually a Christian church, convened to decide on issue of doctrine,
administration or application. An ecumenical council is so named because it is a synod of the whole church (or, more accurately, of what
those who call it consider to be the whole church).
The word comes from the Greek Meaning “assembly” or “meeting”, and it is synonymous with the Latin word concilium –
“council”. Originally synods were meetings of bishops, and the word is still used in that sense in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Sometimes the phrase general synod or general council refers to an ecumenical council. The word synod also refers to the standing
council of high-ranking bishops governing some of the Eastern Orthodox churches.
In the Anglican Communion, Synods are elected by clergy and laity. In most Anglican churches, there sis a geographical hierarchy of
synods, with General Synod at the top; bishops, clergy and laity meet as “houses” within the synod.
Diocesan synods are convened by a bishop in his diocese, and consist of elected clergy and lay members.
Deanery synods are convened by the Rural Dean (or Area Dean) and consist of all clergy licensed to be benefice within the deanery plus
elected lay members.
PARISH
A parish is a type of administrative subdivision. It is used by some Christian churches, usually liturgical churches, and also by the civil
government in a number of countries. A parish is a territorial subdivision of a diocese, eparchy or bishopric, within the Roman Catholic
Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Church of Sweden, and some other churches. The word “parish” is
also used more generally to refer to the collection of people who attend a particular church. In this usage, a parish minister is one who
serves a congregation.
In the Anglican Church, each parish has one parish priest (as he is usually called in England, Ireland and Australia, among other places)
or “pastor” (as he is called in the United States, among other places), who has responsibility and canonical authority over the parish (the
Latin for this post is parochus).
A parish priest may have one or more fellow priests assisting him. In Anglican usage this priest is technically a “parochial vicar”, but is
commonly called an “associate pastor” or “assistant pastor” (or just “associate” or “assistant”), a curate, or vicar-common as they are,
these terms are inaccurate and many dioceses have recently begun using the canonical term “parochial vicar” even in general parish
communications (bulletins and the like).
Each parish normally has a central church, called the Parish church, where religious services take place. Some larger parishes or
parishes that have been combined under one pastor may have two or more such churches, or the parish may be responsible for chapels
(sometimes called “chapels of ease”) located at some distance from the parish church for the convenience of distant parishioners.
As you will be ordained, ask the spirit to open you up to the rich history and tradition of the Anglican Communion.
Rev Sambo with helps from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and The Revised Catechism- Diocese of Jos.