Standing Commissions
Interim bodies, meeting in between sessions of General Convention, include the Executive Council and various standing commissions which study and draft policy proposals for consideration and report back to General Convention. Each standing commission consists of three bishops, three priests or deacons, and six laypersons. Priests, deacons, and lay persons are not required to be deputies. Bishops are appointed by the Presiding Bishop while the other clergy and laypersons are appointed by the president of the House of Deputies. Members are appointed to rotating terms so that the term for half of the members expires at the conclusion of each regular meeting of the General Convention. The standing commissions are:
- Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
- Small Congregations
- Constitution and Canons
- Domestic Mission and Evangelism
- Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
- Liturgy and Music
- Ministry Development
- National Concerns
- Stewardship and Development
- Structure of the Church
- World Mission
- Communication
- Health
- Lifelong Christian Education and Formation
The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies are ex officio members of all commissions and can appoint personal representatives to attend commission meetings without the right to vote. They jointly appoint Executive Council members as liaison persons to provide communication between the council and each commission. These liaison persons are not commission members and cannot vote; though, they do have voice. The Presiding Bishop also appoints a staff member to assist each commission in its work.
Either house may refer matters to a commission, but one house cannot instruct a commission to take any action without the consent of the other house.
Read more about this topic: General Convention Of The Episcopal Church In The United States Of America
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