What Kind of Bishop Are We Seeking?

We asked people across Western New York to imagine our next bishop walking through the doors of their church. We heard lots of different answers: present and accessible, honest and transparent. Someone who loves Jesus. A person willing to try new things and bring people together.

But the most important thing? We want a bishop who will walk alongside us.

We dream of a spiritual leader who will:

ROOT US IN CHRIST

God and Love are at the heart of our diocese. For that reason, the
most essential quality we seek in our next Bishop is deep spiritual
maturity—a lived relationship with God that is visible, authentic,
and sustaining. We seek a Bishop whose life is rooted in prayer
and worship, and whose trust in God shapes not only what they
say, but how they lead.

SHOW UP
We want a Bishop who goes to the fundraiser, the Pride
celebration, the community dinner, and the youth rally. We want
a Bishop who is willing to put boots on the ground, going beyond
Sunday visitations to get to know our people and communities.

CONNECT US
We hope for a “storyteller-in-chief,” someone who can name who we are and where we
are going, and who can communicate that vision with clarity, consistency, and hope. Our
congregations care deeply about their communities. We seek a Bishop who will notice,
celebrate, and amplify the outward-facing ministry already happening across Western New
York—from food programs to refugee resettlement, from neighborhood partnerships to
acts of quiet compassion.

HELP US IMAGINE WHAT‘S NEXT
We are a diocese that knows both fragility and possibility. We need a leader who
understands the balance between challenge and care—who knows when to apply gentle
pressure and when to remain present long enough for trust to grow. This includes
navigating financial realities with honesty and creativity, supporting congregations facing
difficult decisions, and helping us reimagine how we steward our buildings, resources, and
ministries for the future.

Our search opens in early November; watch for the profile and the invitation to discern. In the meantime, keep those prayers coming! The Spirit is alive in WNY!