FLORIDA: Jacksonville priest becomes bishop for Anglican diocese

Via VirtueOnline:

Neil Lebhar will lead 5,000 conservative Anglicans in the area.

by Jeff Brumley
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-09-01/story/jacksonville_priest_becomes_bishop_for_anglican_diocese S
September 1, 2009

A Jacksonville priest who led thousands from the Episcopal Church has been elected the first bishop of a new diocese that will oversee about 5,000 conservative Anglicans in North Florida and South Georgia.

The Rev. Neil Lebhar was elected Saturday by clergy and lay leaders in what will be called the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America.

The Anglican Church in North America itself is a new American denomination, having been formed in June largely by those who left the Episcopal Church after an openly gay priest became bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.

Lebhar said he's eager to lead but also glad the position has a seven-year term limit.

"I think the greatest impact for the kingdom takes place through the ministry of local Christian communities," Lebhar said. "So my heart has been, and always will be, for the parish."

Lebhar was elected by the new diocese's clergy and lay leaders, who chose him over the Rev. Jim Hobby of Thomasville, Ga.

Lebhar spoke Monday about what lies ahead as he prepares to don the purple shirt traditionally worn by Anglican bishops.

So how do you like wearing that purple shirt?

(Laughs) I'm wearing a red shirt, a red golf shirt, actually.

When will you be confirmed as bishop?

We don't know how or when the college of bishops is going to confirm the election. They can do it by e-mail or they can do it by the December meeting.

What will you be doing first? Forming diocesan councils, appointing other leaders?

We'll have some people doing some jobs. But with the model we're now in, the bishop operates as clergy in his home parish and the structure is much flatter and the ministry is much more parish-oriented. Only a third of my time will be spent as bishop.

What's the biggest challenge for you and the diocese as you start this journey?

I think the biggest challenge is for us to continue to grow healthy congregations while adding new ones.

So you'll be starting new congregations?

Yes. There's a church plant that's been started at Jacksonville Beach in the past couple of months and there will be more coming. We're not expecting to be receiving any more congregations from the Episcopal Church at this stage.

What area does the new diocese cover, and how many parishes?

Right now it stretches from St. Augustine to Savannah, south to north, and east to west we actually go as far as the Gulf west of Tallahassee. It also covers Thomasville, Ga. Right now there are more than 22 parishes.

Are other bishops being elected around the country?

Yes. As new dioceses are forming, new bishops are being elected.

Why does the position come with a time limit?

The reason for that is to be able to refresh leadership on a regular basis. It's also so that parishes do not have an indefinite burden of sharing their priests with the diocese.

Who are some bishops who will serve as role models in your new position?

I'm grateful for Stephen Jecko, who was my bishop here in (the Episcopal Diocese of) Florida. He was a great encouragement and I'm sorry we lost him ... to cancer in retirement (June 2007). And then, gosh, my bishop from Uganda, Joel Obetia. And then I'm grateful for Bishop John Howe from (the Episcopal Diocese of) Central Florida, who brought me to faith in Christ when I was 17.

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