The functions of Commissions on Ministry specified in the canon are to assist the bishop “in determining present and future needs for ministry in the diocese” and to assist “in enlisting and selecting persons for Holy Orders.” Commissions are to develop, train, and affirm lay ministries. They interview candidates prior to their ordination as deacons and may interview candidates prior to their ordination as priests, if requested by the bishop, reporting to the bishop in each case. They assist the bishop in guiding and counseling deacons and other ministers, and they assist in matters pertaining to the continuing education of the clergy.

Diocesan Council Inc., is a corporate entity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Delaware. It is organized for the purpose of taking charge of the unification, development, and prosecution of the missionary work, Church extension, religious education, and Christian social service of the diocese and such other matters as may be committed to it by its convention. The bishop is president of diocesan council. The work of diocesan council is rather extensive and depends greatly on the committed partnership between its elected members, the diocesan staff, and the bishop. Council’s key role is to submit to each annual convention a budget for all the work committed to it. Provision shall be made therein for the reasonable expenses of diocesan council. Council organizes its work with several subcommittees. The work of the finance, insurance, and personnel subcommittees is obvious in scope, and the subcommittee for program review undertakes an annual and extensive evaluation of specific diocesan-supported programs. An example of a program is Camp Arrowhead. Council is made up of 18 elected clergy and lay members representing all the geographic regions of the diocese. (Ref: Art. IX, and Canon 21 (Duties of Diocesan Council), Const. & Cns., ECD.)

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Responsibility: all matters relating to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church in Delaware.

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church canons regarding the clergy disciplinary process is known as Title IV. These make clergy discipline first and foremost a process of discernment, mediation, and pastoral response. Each diocese is required by canon to create a court of not less than seven persons known as the disciplinary board. The membership of the board must include lay persons and clergy. In the Episcopal Church in Delaware, the board presently consists of nine persons elected at the convention for terms of four years. Annually the board elects a president from its members. Also, annually a church attorney and a clerk for the board are appointed by the bishop. The Title IV process allows for resolution through whatever means will move those affected toward justice, restitution, amendment of life, repentance, healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This can include a variety of interventions for all involved and, if necessary, the suspension or removal of the cleric from ordained ministry. A step-by-step guide to assist with Title IV processes is available in the Structure and Procedures section of the Title IV website, www.TitleIV.org. Also see Title IV, Canons of the Episcopal Church; Canon 19, Canons of the Diocese of Delaware; and the clergy misconduct webpage.

The ecclesiastical authority of the diocese in the absence of a bishop, the Standing Committee is elected by diocesan convention. Half of its members are clerical, half lay. It serves as the bishop’s council of advice. The Standing Committee is requested to give consent for all bishops elected in the Episcopal Church. It recommends persons for ordination. It gives the bishop advice and consent on the purchase, sale, or encumbrance of any property held by a congregation or the diocese. It gives the bishop advice and consent as to any judicial sentence given to a clergy person or concurs in allowing a clergy person to cease functioning as a member of the clergy. It investigates and reports to the bishop on the charge that a deacon or priest has abandoned the Episcopal Church. It also receives the bishop’s resignation. (Refs: Art. VII, Const. & Cns, ECD. Art. IV and Title 1 Cn. 12, Const. & Cns, TEC)

Trustees is a corporate entity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the state of Delaware responsible for advancing the religious and educational work of the Episcopal Church by serving as the custodian and trustee of the property and funds of, and as the fiscal agent of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Episcopal Church in Delaware, and by providing financial, custodial, trust and investment services, and advice for the diocese and all of its institutions, by aiding, supporting, and maintaining the bishop and necessitous ministers and missionaries of the diocese, and by fulfilling such duties as are authorized and required by the convention of the diocese. The role of the trustees includes: endowment oversight, stewardship for trustee property, holding funds in trust for others, supporting A&D when needed, and setting broad constraints on funds when sent to council. All funds held by the Trustees are invested in Master Fund A and managed by the investment committee with set guidelines. The interest, revenue, from MFA is used to support council and others, cover trustee property and operations, and maintain reserves. Trustees have “unrestricted”, “designated” and “restricted” funds. (Ref: Art. VIII, Const. & Cns, ECD.)