At our first in-person (and hybrid) AMiE Synod in Sheffield on 18 June 2022 the Synod endorsed two nominees who had been nominated by the Standing Committee to the Bishops Election Committee (BEC). After a thorough process of references, conversations and interviews the three clergy and three lay representatives on the BEC confirmed the two candidates without reservation back to the Standing Committee and thence to the Synod.
Rev Canon Tim Davies, Minister of Christ Church Central, Sheffield, and Rev Lee McMunn, Senior Minister of Trinity Church Scarborough and Bishop’s Assistant, have today been confirmed by the AMiE Synod as AMiE Assistant Bishops- elect, to assist the current Convocation Bishop to develop a strongly relational episcopacy in the context of the growth that God is giving to AMiE. These two will be licensed in this role for the duration of the current Convocation Bishop’s tenure alongside retaining their local church leadership roles which will continue to be their primary focus.
During the Covid pandemic, which began at about the same time as AMiE became a convocation, we developed a practice of regular ministerial zoom calls. The amount of contact that the bishop has had with clergy and other leaders has been untypical of experiences elsewhere and at other times, and has been much appreciated. We are keen to retain this strongly relational model of episcopacy in a context where it has clearly not been a common experience. This desire, along with the contextual complexity, God-given growth, and geographical spread within AMiE have added further impetus to this initiative. We are keen to prepare for the future with more congregations planted and other existing congregations joining. We wish to pursue the principle of plurality of leadership at all levels.
Tim and Lee have been carrying out significant responsibilities within AMiE for some years now and were instrumental in moving us from being a mission society to a convocation with Constitution, Canons, Synod and Standing Committee. In addition to this Lee has been Bishop’s Assistant and Church-Planting Director whilst Tim has been Membership Director. They work well together and with me, things which are essential for this next phase of development. They bring different gifts, personalities and experiences to each other and to me, but we all share the passion to see Christ proclaimed faithfully to the nation (and the nations).
We continue with the principle of all clergy contributing a day a week to the wider fellowship. For bishops that involves teaching the truth and refuting error, as for all presbyters, but also includes the additional function of ordaining, commissioning and laying hands on others.
I warmly commend Tim and Lee to you and ask for your prayers that we would continue watch our life and doctrine closely. We are planning for a consecration service in the Autumn, Lord-willing.
ACE, our sister convocation, also has plans for developing a strongly relational episcopacy in the context of growth.
