Duties of the Deans

THE DUTIES OF THE DEAN
As of March 3, 2011

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The Ecclesiastical Authority shall appoint, with approval by a vote of a majority at the Deanery’s Caucus of the Members of Convention present and voting representing the constituent congregations of the Deanery, a Dean for each Deanery. Deans shall be appointed for a three(3) year term, and may not be re-appointed until one year has elapsed following the term. Vacancies in the office of Dean shall be filled between Caucus by the Ecclesiastical Authority. Deans shall perform such duties as are set forth by the Ecclesiastical Authority, and shall act in consultation with members of the clergy and governing bodies of the recognized congregations in the Deanery. Canon 2.3.1.2.1 lines 682-686


Election, accountability and summary of duties:

Responsibility of Members of the Deanery - At the time of the Annual Pre-Convention Caucus each Deanery, as needed, through the members of convention representing their constituent congregations, shall nominate at least two people for the position of Dean.


The Bishop - The nominations will be submitted to the Ecclesiastical Authority who, with the advice of the Standing Committee (Canon 2.1.3.3) shall appoint a Dean for each Deanery. For the maintenance of good relationship between the Ecclesiastical Authority and the congregations of the Deanery and for the purposes of educating congregations, the Bishop shall acknowledge the appointed Dean’s Vestry or Bishop’s Committee of the appointment and provide an outline of the duties of the Dean as appropriate.


The Dean – The Dean carries out his/her duties as outlined in Canon 2.3.1.2.1 – 2.3.1.2.4. The Dean is accountable to the Bishop. The Dean represents the Bishop to the Deanery and the Deanery to the Bishop. The Dean should provide a report to the Deanery at each meeting detailing his/her official activities since the last prior meeting, and any pastoral needs or concerns of which the community should be aware. If a Deanery is one that has not been meeting more than once a year, the Dean has the responsibility to provide the above information through some other means, to the congregations under their care.


The Duties of the Dean

A. PASTORAL CARE (The Dean is an administrative, communications, liturgical extension of the Bishop and these duties are seen as having pastoral implications)

  1. Serve as a pastor, as needed. Promptly notify the Bishop of major crises (ie. death, serious illness or accident) directly affecting Deanery clergy and lay leaders, members of their families and spouses of deceased clergy, and to encourage the people of the Deanery to advise the Dean of such pastoral emergencies, including when an emergency arises where a congregation’s clergy is unable to conduct Sunday services.
  2. In coordination with Diocesan Staff, oversee welcoming and incorporating clergy new to the Diocese into the lives of the Deanery, Clericus, and Diocese; and to provide appropriate opportunities for closure when clergy leave the Deanery.
  3. Deans should be available to the Bishop if he chooses to call upon them for support and prayer.
  4. If possible be pastorally present for congregations and in support of Diocesan staff when hard decisions must be made with regards to the life of a congregation in the Deanery. If possible, to be present for other congregational celebrations.

 

B. COMMUNICATION (The intention of the administrative duties of the Dean is to ensure communication between the Bishop, Diocesan Offices and Programs, Deaneries, Vestries, and Clergy within a Deanery)

  1. In cooperation with Clericus to develop and maintain a Deanery telephone and e-mail network to be used for passing urgent information in a timely manner. For congregations who have only part-time clergy, an interim, or are mutual ministry or total ministry congregations the telephone and e-mail network should include the Senior Warden. The list should also include the representatives to Diocesan Council.
  2. Regularly report and interpret transition and diocesan information affecting the Deanery to the the clergy and congregations of that deanery.
  3. At the request of the Bishop, and in continuing communication with the Bishop’s office, assist congregations of the Deanery which are in difficult or changing circumstances.
  4. Report to and meet with the Bishop at least quarterly through the months of Sept.- June. The purpose of these meetings should be for support, communication, guidance, direction, and fellowship shared between the Bishop and the Deans who represent the congregations under their care.

 

C. ADMINISTRATIVE

  1. Schedule and attend regular Clericus meetings
  2. Work with Clericus schedule and attend programs/meetings prepared for the Deanery.
  3. Attend Dean’s meetings as scheduled.
  4. Keep track of programs and events throughout the Diocese and in Dean’s particular Deanery, make clergy and congregations aware and encourage congregations in the Deanery to attend.
  5. Remind and encourage congregations of Deanery to have annual financial audits and attend required leadership training programs, continuing educational units for clergy and laity.
  6. Encourage Educational program and/or Outreach and resources showing opportunities that will build up the relationship among congregations.
  7. Deans serve as the nominations committee for the Diocesan Convention, working with clergy and congregations to inform them of vacancies in various offices within the Diocese, and encourage lay and clergy leadership to run for such vacancies.

 

D. LITURGICAL

  1. Once a year the Deanery (or group of Deaneries) will host a Confirmation Service. The Dean is in responsible for with working with the Bishop to choose a date for Confirmation, finding a host congregation, working with that congregation on the liturgy for the service, and keeping the bishop informed, if possible.
  2. As Renewal of Ministry Services arise it is appropriate for the Dean to be involved as a minister in the service ie: presenting a book of Canons or some token of the Deanery’s welcome, during service.
  3. Providing a small sacred moment of liturgical space for Clericus meetings