XIV Bishop Search

Diocesan Profile 2023

Continue reading below or download a PDF version of this profile.

A Prayer for the Process

God of Glory,
You bless us all the time.
You bless us in the beauty that surrounds us in Arkansas;
the rush of crystal water over mountain crags,
the running of the deer,
and the soft whoosh of your Spirit in the flight of birds.
You bless us by letting us see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ
and the diverse, richly-hued faces of all our neighbors.
Jesus came to us as a good shepherd who calls us to himself,
guards the gate,
feeds the hungry,
heals the sick,
seeks the lost,
comforts the wounded,
and celebrates the return of even one lone sheep.

Bless this Diocese once again as we seek to call our XIV Bishop.
May this person know Jesus as the Great Shepherd,
love by his example,
and lead with the same humility.

Strengthen us, Holy One, to serve you in mission and ministry.
We trust your Spirit is active in the lives of all candidates
and each of us through this discernment process.
Bless each of us to hear your call and the grace to follow where you lead.
Help us to grow in love through this process
and to honor each person we encounter as a child of God.
Your glory alone is what we seek here in the Diocese of Arkansas.

We pray in Jesus’ name and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Rev. David Angus
Chaplain, Bishop Search Committee

Welcome!

The landscape of Arkansas is truly a glorious expression of God’s creativity. With more than 2 million acres of National Forest, 600,000 acres of lakes, and nearly 88,000 miles of rivers and streams,

Arkansas certainly lives up to our designation as “The Natural State.” Arkansas’s diverse ecology—forests and flood plains, prairies and plateaus, and our ridges and river bottoms—is alive with God’s spirit.

The Episcopal Church in Arkansas may be compared to an ecosystem with contributions to the whole from many parts, some similar and others divergent, working together to form our diocese.

A wide cross section of persons from our 54 congregations participated in 31 “Holy Conversations,” or listening sessions, last fall to discern the values of our diocese, the challenges and opportunities we face, and the qualities we wish for in our next bishop. We thank you for your own discernment of joining us as our chief pastor and spiritual leader.

At its core, the Diocese of Arkansas deeply values relationship. We are rooted in the collegiality between congregations and among clergy. We value our inclusive nature, embracing persons of all colors and identities wherever they are in their walk with Christ. We respond to the needs of others within and outside our walls.

May the Holy Spirit be with you in your prayerful discernment of a call as the fourteenth Bishop of Arkansas.

from the Bishop Search Committee

Jerry Adams, chair
The Rev. Mercedes Clements
The Rev. Canon Dr. Lisa Corry
Justin Craig
The Rev. Peggy Cromwell
Tim Ford
The Rev. Cindy Fribourgh

Christy Glaze
The Rev. Kevin Gore
Jackie Lawrence
Marianne Maynard
Marvin McLennon
The Rev. Sara Milford

History of the Diocese

In the Diocese of Arkansas, our prayer is to be honest about who we have been and hopeful for who we may become. Like the rest of the church, we seek to become Beloved Community, uncovering and sharing the true stories of our past and reckoning with implications in the present. Our diocese, like our people and geography, conveys depth, perseverance, diversity, and character.

The land that became known as Arkansas was stewarded by the Osage, Caddo, and Quapaw tribes before occupation by settlers. Before the Civil War, the Cherokee were marched through Arkansas along various routes of the Trail of Tears. While northwest and central Arkansas began to grow, places like Pine Bluff and Fort Smith had established themselves on the map in their prime locations for travel and commerce. Agriculture was—and still is—prominent in the rural parts of the state. Slavery and sharecropping are part of our past; rural farmers are very much part of our present.

Arkansas was about to become a recognized diocese when the state joined the Confederacy. It was not until after the war, on April 24, 1871, that Arkansas was established as a diocese in The Episcopal Church, with Bishop Henry Niles Pierce at the helm. Bishop Pierce oversaw the building of Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock, and his wife founded the first African American congregation in Arkansas (St. Phillip’s).

Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock was completed in 1889 and can already be seen represented on the edge of the city in this 1887 map.

Under the episcopacy of Bishop William Montgomery Brown (1899–1912), there was a well-intentioned plan to serve and grow Black Episcopal churches, but the “Arkansas Plan” did not serve members equally and was frowned upon by most throughout The Episcopal Church. Few historically Black churches now remain. Black Bishop: Edward T. Demby and the Struggle for Racial Equality in the Episcopal Church chronicles the efforts of Bishop Demby as he valiantly worked for the diocese without much compensation, resources, or support as suffragan bishop for the African American members and congregations in the diocese.

Bishop Edward Demby, suffragan bishop of Arkansas and the Southwest, and first African American bishop of The Episcopal Church. (cc) National Portrait Gallery.

Fortunately, bishops following Bishop Brown worked to improve the diocese administratively (pastoral leadership is harder to document). Ministries begun and sustained through the years, like Bishop Mitchell’s establishment of the conference center at Petit Jean and Bishop Robert R. Brown’s establishment of St. Martin’s college ministry at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, reflect the strength of leadership and vision that Arkansas Episcopalians value. Likewise, stances on social justice issues have proven that our bishops in recent history find themselves on the just side of history, including but not limited to desegregation, women’s ordination (Rev. Peggy Bosmyer, 1977), and marriage equality.

The Rev. Peggy Bosmyer, ordained at Trinity Cathedral in 1977, was the first woman in the South to be ordained by The Episcopal Church. Andrew Kilgore.

To reflect the increasing diversity of our members, today we have a missioner for Latino ministry in northwest Arkansas, where the population of Spanish-speaking immigrants led to the formation of Spanish ministries in Bentonville (All Saints’) and Rogers (St. Andrew’s). In All Saints’, Russellville, the Episcopal liturgy is enriched by the participation of the Karen community from Clarksville in their native language. Maree Paw became a licensed catechist, meeting weekly for Karen prayer services.

The norm for ministries in our diocese is that members recognize a need and follow a call to do something, collaborating with others to manifest the light of Christ. Capturing some of the natural entrepreneurial spirit abundant in our state, the faithful can do and have done amazing things, as highlighted in our various diocesan and congregational ministries.

The Episcopal Youth Community of Arkansas at the Episcopal Youth Event in 2017. Arkansas has, for the last 10 years, had one of the largest groups at wider Episcopal Church events from any diocese.

Convocational map

Who We Are Today

The Diocese of Arkansas is made up of five convocations—Central, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast—and a total of 54 congregations

54 congregations

30 parishes

24 missions

2 preaching stations

83 active clergy

13,056 active members

2,460 average Sunday attendance

$4,437 average pledge


Average Sunday Attendance

Percent change by year for the Diocese of Arkansas
as compared to The Episcopal Church as a whole.

Ministries & Institutions

St Francis House
stfrancishouselr.org

Now in its fourth decade of service, St. Francis House is pursuing its mission through a variety of critical ministries carried out on behalf of deserving people in the community.

Camp Mitchell
campmitchell.org

Located atop Petit Jean Mountain in Central Arkansas, for over 50 years, Camp Mitchell has served as an Episcopal camp and retreat center for people of all ages and faiths.

Episcopal Youth Community in Arkansas
eycarkansas.org

Youth gather from all over Arkansas in diocesan youth events. Programs and offerings explore how we may be a better response to Christ in the world.

Episcopal Church Women of Arkansas
arkansasecw.org

ECW gathers three times a year featuring speakers, workshops, and lots of love and laughter. ECW supports the Church Periodical Club and our diocesan ingathering for United Thank Offering.

Iona Collaborative
episcopalarkansas.org/iona-arkansas

The Iona Initiative in Arkansas is a three-year program to train new priests and deacons, many of whom already have full-time careers, to serve free of charge in small Arkansas congregations.

South Arkansas Ministry Coordinator

The South Arkansas Ministry Coordinator serves small congregations in rural communities in south Arkansas.

Arkansas House of Prayer
arkansashouseofprayer.org

The Arkansas House of Prayer is an interfaith haven, set apart in nature, dedicated to prayer, meditation, and quiet, where all are welcome.

St. Martin’s Episcopal Center
stmartinsuark.org

A community that strives, with God’s help, to equip students and faculty at the University of Arkansas to form lives of meaning and purpose by identifying and sustaining each person’s Christian vocation.

Episcopal Peace Fellowship of Arkansas

The Arkansas chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship of the Anglican Communion. This group is concerned with raising awareness within the Episcopal Church about issues of peace and justice.

Episcopal Prison Ministry

A network of ministries tasked with the mission of social justice for the incarcerated while ensuring they are nurtured, valued, respected, and reminded of the presence of the risen Christ in their lives.

Racial Healing & Social Justice Ministry

A grassroots effort that meets monthly via Zoom to share resources, training opportunities, and other ways to support individuals, congregations, and the diocese in becoming beloved community.

 Camp Mitchell

Episcopalians and friends throughout the state love our dear Camp Mitchell, and we look forward to sharing experiences here with our next bishop. The camp itself is named after the VIII Bishop Richard “Bland” Mitchell, who established the conference center atop Petit Jean Mountain over 50 years ago. Though summer camp for youth and children is the heart of its ministry, Camp Mitchell is also utilized for meetings, retreats, weddings, and reunions. The bluff overlooks Ada Valley on clear days and gives fantastic sunset views. Many mornings the fog rolls in, reminding us how cloaked we are in the love and mystery of God.

Photos speak for themselves to glimpse into the joy that can be found at CM+. Learn more at campmitchell.org.

Finances

In 2022, the Diocese of Arkansas had revenues of $1.6 million and expenses of $1.5 million. As it has for the past five years, the diocese outperformed its budget.

Revenues

Our 2022 operating budget was predominantly funded by an annual congregational assessment of 10.5%. Additional revenue comes through transfers from endowment funds, individual support, and other income.

Endowment Funds

The diocese maintains a portfolio of 22 endowment accounts including restricted and unrestricted funds. These accounts include both diocesan funds and congregational endowments managed by the diocese.

Expenses

Our 2022 preliminary expenses totaled $1.5 million and included personnel and administrative expenses, as well as programmatic and outreach costs.

Personnel includes both clergy staffing for the Diocese (57%) — the episcopate, canon to the ordinary, missioner for Hispanic ministries, dean of the Iona Program in Arkansas, and the south Arkansas ministries coordinator— and lay staffing (43%), which includes the diocesan personnel overseeing finance, youth ministries, and benefits.

The program budget includes seminarian support, formation, and congregational development. Administration includes governance, maintenance, insurance and property taxes, communications and marketing, and office expenses.

Camp Mitchell

In 2022, the diocesan-owned camp reincorporated as an independent 501c(3), and the operating budget for the camp is no longer included within the diocesan budget. The diocese continues to support the camp both with operating revenue and through direct transfer from the Special Operations Endowment Fund.

The 2022 operating results can be found at episcopalarkansas.org/financials.

Arkansas at a Glance

3.0 million total population
95,000 LGBTQ+ population (13+)
36 median age
17 college towns

2.4 million acres of National Forest
600,000 acres of lakes
2,000 miles of bike trails
217 sunny days per year
75 counties
52 state parks
2 mountain ranges

PLUS
America’s first National River, a public diamond mine, world-class trout streams, waterfalls, millions of acres of farmland, caverns, and a migratory bird flyway.

DENSITY

URBAN

RURAL

AGE

60+

40–59

20–39

0–19

ETHNICITY

HISPANIC

WHITE

BLACK

Arkansas also includes a significant population of people of Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander heritage.

Arts & Culture

Art in Bentonville

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art sits amid a 120-acre park with miles of sculpture and walking trails linking the museum to downtown Bentonville. The Momentary, a new space nearby, is focused on contemporary art, performances, and festivals.

Bathhouse Row

National Park in Hot Springs

Hot Springs National Park has been protected by the National Park Service since 1832, making it one of the oldest national parks. America’s most popular health resort in the early 20th century, the area includes not only Bathhouse Row but also trails and forest.

Gateway to the West in Fort Smith

Fort Smith bills itself as “where the New South meets the Old West.” The town has garnered attention for its large-scale public murals and will soon to be home to the National U.S. Marshals Museum. Literature buffs will know the town as the backdrop for True Grit.

Blues Music in Helena

The King Biscuit Blues Festival is held for three days annually in October in historic downtown Helena, on the banks of the Mississippi River. King Biscuit Time, broadcast from on KFFA from Helena, is the longest running daily blues radio show in the U.S.

Presidential Library in Little Rock

The Clinton Presidential Library and Museum features exhibits, including replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room, plus photographs, videos, and interactive stations. The library also houses archival collections and research facilities.

 

Strategy Going Forward

Like the wider Episcopal Church, Arkansas faces challenges regarding post-pandemic attendance and an aging population. Our challenges and opportunities may find clarity by asking the post-pandemic questions: What did we do before?, What did we do during?, and What is needed moving forward? Strategy for growing attendance and attracting young families, youth, and young adults will be necessary as we move forward. Strategy sums up what is needed, and from our Holy Conversations, we conclude that, going forward, a multifaceted strategy must encompass:

  • Individual and corporate spiritual development

  • Church growth

  • Racial diversity

  • Evangelism and mission

  • Renewal of diaconal ministry

  • Refreshment of post-pandemic clergy

  • Navigating political landscape

  • Renewal of young adult and college ministries

  • Increasing diocesan youth involvement

Hopes for the Next Bishop of Arkansas

During the Holy Conversations sessions, one person’s astute and playful response was, “Basically, we’d like Jesus.” As we await the coming of Christ in glory, we seek a visionary who will lead the Episcopal Church in Arkansas as we further live into our call to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ. Thematically, the many ideas of needs for our next bishop fall under the umbrella of “innovator/visionary.” This label picks up on the strategy needed to promote opportunities and meet challenges. Other desired characteristics include:

  • Pastoral and empathetic

  • Teacher

  • Passionate

  • Flexible

  • Sense of humor

  • Financially savvy

  • Attentive to personal and professional development

  • Understand camp ministry and value

  • Deep understanding of family ministries

Application Instructions
for Bishop of Arkansas Discernment

If you or someone you know may be led to enter discernment with us as we search for our next bishop, the following items must be submitted to the search committee:

  • Cover letter stating your desire to join us in discernment

  • Current resumé

  • Current OTM portfolio

  • Letter of recommendation from a lay person in The Episcopal Church

  • Letter of recommendation from a presbyter in The Episcopal Church

  • Letter of recommendation from a bishop in The Episcopal Church

  • Candidates who are in recovery should provide a statement affirming a minimum of ten years of continuous sobriety and be actively working a program of recovery

All the items should be submitted as attachments in an email to the chair of the Search Committee, Jerry Adams, at bishopsearch@episcopalarkansas.org.

Completed applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central on Feb. 17, 2023.

No nominee shall be excluded “because of race, color, ethnic origin, immigration status, national origin, sex, marital or family status (including pregnancy and childcare plans), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons.” (Title III, Canon 1, Section 2).

Applicants must be at least thirty (30) years of age and have been ordained a minimum of seven (7) years.

Applicants must be up to date on Safe Church training.

Please direct questions to the chair of the Bishop Search Committee at bishopsearch@episcopalarkansas.org.