Who are the Church leaders

Who are the Church leaders?

Church of the East is centrally organised only with regards licensing of teachers and clergy.

A geographically distinct community may elect a Board to deal with day-to-day business and manage the assets and liabilities of the community. In this situation the leaders of the community would then be those members elected to govern the business affairs of the community. The most senior ordinand (ordained cleric) in the community will serve on the board in the portfolio as Spiritual Director. Other portfolios usually filled are Treasurer, Secretary and Chairperson.

Most communities add to their organisation the leadership element of Elders to advise the Board and assist them to lay down rules for the dispensing of services and goods to the needy, and to run day-to-day affairs.

The Church’s international body concerned with licensing of clergy, the International Council, is served by an elected group of the most senior clergy from all over the world. Most Councillors are clergy involved with their own communities and serve Council on a voluntary or per diem basis--and are thus not paid much extra for their work. Council is charged with laying down ground rules for the training, licensing and discipline of ordinands. Council is thus charged with the responsibility to advance good doctrine and pass down true theology and spiritual heritage from person to person, ensuring that Teachers, Counsellors, Priests and Deacons are well prepared to forward teaching that are in line with The Way. While Council may be enterprising and initiate a community action it is not their explicit task.

Funds to pay for Council’s work, college, training and spiritual workshops come from one source only—donations from communities and individuals in the Church.

The funds to pay for an ordinand’s salary and for a community’s property come from donations from that community.

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