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Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Home For clergy and members Clergy Handbook Generic Job Description Area Dean

Generic Job Description Area Dean

To be read in conjunction with the generic job descriptions for the Archdeacon and Incumbent.

Post: Area Dean

Purpose: To support the Bishop and Archdeacon as a visible sign serving the Church’s unity and continuity in apostolic life mission and ministry.

Responsible: In collaboration and full co-operation with the Bishop, Archdeacon, Clergy and Laity for leading, co-ordinating and administering the Deanery.

Principal Tasks and Duties

Deanery
  1. To liaise within the Diocese on matters of diocesan policy and mission strategy.
  2. To enable effective two-way communication between deanery and diocese.
  3. To summon and preside at meetings of the Deanery Conference.
  4. To arrange and chair Deanery Chapter meetings.
  5. To organise and/or take a key role in Deanery events.
  6. To encourage initiatives as part of the venturing in mission culture.
  7. To work with the Bishop and Archdeacon in furthering the mission of the Deanery.
Parishes
  1. To manage the affairs of vacant parishes including:
    1. Chairing a parish vestry meeting in a vacant parish, where necessary.
    2. Acting as custodian of the parsonage with the churchwardens during a vacancy.
    3. Hearing appeals about the right to attend, speak and vote at a vestry meeting.
    4. Enabling churchwardens to exercise their functions during vacancies including consulting on arrangements for services.
    5. Appointing a church warden during a vacancy should the need arise.
  2. Participating in the selection of new staff and in consultation with the Archdeacon to arrange services of welcome and Induction
  3. To assist the Bishop or Archdeacon as necessary in the visitations
  4. To assist the Archdeacon as necessary in facilitating and monitoring parish reorganisation
Clergy
  1. To encourage the clergy of the Deanery in their ministry through a culture of lifelong learning and professional development.
  2. To provide pastoral support for clergy and to ensure that problems arising are properly managed in consultation with the Archdeacon.
  3. To ensure that clergy of the Deanery are aware of and comply with the rules and standards expected, particularly in relation to clergy incapacity.