Recap of the Business Meeting of the
176th Annual Council, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Fort Worth Convention Center
Fort Worth, Texas
February 7-8, 2025
Call to Order
The Business Meeting of the Council called to order at 8:30 a.m. by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle.
Opening Prayer and Reading of Scripture
Offered by the appointed chaplain for the 176th Council, the Rev. Uriel Osnaya, Vicar, Santa Maria Virgen, Houston.
Balloting Test and Survey
The Rev. Korey Wright facilitated the balloting test and survey.
Organize for Business
Secretary of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, the Rev. Canon Marcea Paul, declared a quorum.
The Rev. Canon Marcea Paul provided the report concerning credentials.
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle declared Council was Organized for Business at 8:46 a.m., appointed Ms. Lee Woodward as parliamentarian, and recognized Mr. David Harvin as the Diocesan Chancellor.
The Rev. William Fowler provided the Report of Committee for Dispatch of Business, and Order of Business was approved by Bishop Doyle at 8:54 a.m.
The Rev. Canon Marcea Paul reported there was no Unfinished Business from the 175th Council, followed by the Certification of Minutes from the 175th Council.
Introduction of Guests/Introduction of Bishop for North Region, Diocese of Texas
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle introduced and recognized both
·Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon (Bishop in Residence for Evangelism, St. John the Divine, Houston) is the former Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, first Bishop of Sokoto, fourth Bishop of Kaduna dioceses, and the first Archbishop of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, and
·The Rt. Rev. Brian Seage is the part-time assisting bishop for the North Region in the Diocese of Texas. Bishop Seage was joined by all bishops before Council attendees and received a warm welcome and a gift from Bishop Doyle.
Report on new Parishes, Missions, and Fellowships
The Rev. Canon Joann Saylors gave report on new Parishes, Missions, and Fellowships, and lay delegates were approved to be seated with voice, but not vote, at the 176th Council. She reported changes in status for three congregations - from parish to mission. Three parishes were dissolved, and conversely, Resurrection South Austin Episcopal Church was admitted into union with the 176th Council and lay delegates were seated with voice and vote. This was followed by the bishop’s address.
The Bishop’s Address:
Prelude to the Bishop’s Address
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle announced that the church is alive and well in Fort Worth! He expressed excitement about our growing family and reported a good season in the life of the Church. He thanked the congregations of the Fort Worth area, and Katie Sherrod came forth to present a gift from the North Region to the bishop diocesan.
The Bishop’s Address
Bishop Doyle began by sharing that there are more people engaged in evangelism and service ministries than at any other time during his time as bishop diocesan, or that of previous bishops. He declared that the Diocese of Texas is awake and moving. He reported on the great work of St. Mary’s, Hillsboro, for the amazing example of God’s ministry at work as they have outgrown their current worship space. He commended Trinity, Jasper, commending their tremendous outreach in their community. They are a mighty church of 12 members doing amazing work. St. James, Taylor, was also highlighted for their phenomenal service within their community. The 36-member church is strong and a force among the people it serves.
The Bishop shared the following 2024 facts and figures in the following areas:
2024 Stewardship
Nearly $25.7M from foundations and diocesan endowments went to parishes.
$1.5M went to the Anglican Communion from the Diocese of Texas
$1.9M went to The Episcopal Church from the Diocese of Texas
$1.3M through endowments were directed by Bishop Doyle to impact Episcopal seminaries, Navajo Land, building projects, leadership training for bishops, and wider church mission.
Through EHF, $35M went to health organizations across Texas, with a Texas-size impact of more than 3.5 million Texans. (Since its inception, EHF has given away just under $1B.
2024 Leadership and Formation
Training at Iona School for Ministry realized 8 bivocational priests, 7 deacons, and 21 on seminary track across all classes.
64 people participated in Discovery Retreat in 2024 in three retreats.
13 people discerning for orders
95 people helped in active discernment groups.
13 applicants for seminary track
12 deacon applicants
2 bivocational priest applicants
2024 Transitions in Ministry:
102 clergy transitions
35 clergy accepted new positions in the diocese.
12 new rectors
14 new associate rectors
15 curates
11 new members of clergy from outside of our diocese
42% of clergy are women
16% are clergy of color.
Of new clergy, there are 22 men and 13 women.
2024 Campus Ministry:
100 institutions of higher learning in the Diocese of Texas with 25 of those being reached by our diocese and two being in the North Region.
There were 9 at the beginning of the bishop’s episcopacy.
There are 4 full-time campus missioners; 5 part-time campus missioners; and 9 campuses served by neighboring congregations.
Church Plant Growth:
In 2008, there were 2 church plants.
In 2024, there were 24 church plants.
By 2030, the diocese is projected to have 19 churches continuing
Missional Communities:
14 connect people through creative practices.
10 are for the elderly and/or isolated.
11 focus on mental health and spiritual wellbeing.
7 are for the LGBTQ+ community.
6 serve our unhoused neighbors.
(There are many more, some which focus on foster youth, racial justice, food insecurity, maternal health, and supporting immigrant communities.)
At the time of this council, the diocese reports:
72,000 Members
54,000 Communicants
18,000 in Average Sunday Attendance (ASA)
Together, over the 16 years of Bishop Doyle’s episcopacy, we have experienced:
12,000 deaths
Loss of 4000 members
A 9,000 decrease in ASA
From 2008-2023
Nearly 20,000 baptisms
Nearly 15,500 confirmations
Nearly 5,000 receptions
·Added 15 existing congregations with one more being added at this 176th Council, making a total of 16.
In 2023, we saw a third year of growth with numbers steadying in 2024, and growing a tiny bit, which is still good news.
The bishop expressed that despite significant losses due to deaths, cultural shifts, and COVID, the diocese has maintained resilience. He shared his gratefulness for consistent new member growth through baptisms, confirmations, and receptions- demonstrating a steady influx of new commitment and engagements.
Within the numbers shared, however, are stories of faith, sacrifice, loss, death, and renewal. Bishop Doyle shared trends of congregations in urban centers, suburban communities, and rural areas. He encouraged evangelism – reminding attendees that it is already happening.
He mentioned the financial struggles, leadership transitions, and lingering effects of isolation, yet expressed the resilience that he sees across the diocese. He expressed his gratitude and asked that all gathered do the same. He offered faith in the future and his comprehensive discernment process and focused work with others throughout the diocese to this end that has culminated in varied reports.
Work towards the future
The bishop shared his work with McKinsey and the Institute for the Future (IFTF), and discussed (and subsequently shared) the reports generated out of that process.
The McKinsey Report: Present Forward – Insights and Implications.
He discussed what is necessary for the diocese to be best suited in years to come. The diocesan strategy to address key findings consists of three pillars supported by our Foundations and guided by his vision. These pillars are community, churches, and schools. He discussed how growth will be driven to revive, expand, and plant.
He also discussed The Book of Provocation: A Call to Action, a document containing reflections, challenging us to think critically about our role in the world.
Bishop Doyle mentioned several opportunities for organizational change and discussed more about the road map being based on reports generated from the work thus far. He also announced the formation of three task forces for the future as listed below.
1. AI and Ethical Use in Ministry
2. Sustainable Church – Buildings and Grounds Stewardship (Creation Care II)
3. School Engagement
He emphasized that this is all part of our work together. He described the attentiveness it requires.
To that end he captured the vast spectrum of his pastoral care with the people of the diocese ranging from times of joy, fear, grief, regret, worry, anger, and despair- as he shared experiences of his care through good times and bad. He also shared the broad spectrum of those to whom he has ministered – from the families of Presidents, to the unhoused. Regardless of political preference and through it all, he proclaimed his love for all. He has treated all with dignity because of his deep love- and that is because God loves us and died for us.
Feeling reflective and grateful, he shared his feelings around having received something amazing from the people of the diocese, and for that, he is grateful to God, and looks forward to continuing this work for many more years. He offered blessings to our diocese, our diocese, our state, and our country.
Report of the Committee for Nominations, Jason Ingalls
After a short break, the meeting continued with the Rev. Jason Ingalls reporting on behalf of the Committee for Nominations.
Balloting Procedures
The Rev. Korey Wright provided the balloting procedures.
First Ballot
Launching of the First Ballot occurred, and immediately thereafter, the Council Chaplain (the Rev. Uriel Osnaya, Vicar, Santa Maria Virgen, Houston) prayed . Voting closed at 10:45 a.m.
Report of the Committee for Constitution and Canons
Maria Boyce provided the Report of the Committee for Constitution and Canons.
Report of the Committee for Resolutions
The Rev. Patrick Hall provided the Report of the Committee for Resolutions as called by the Committee for the Dispatch of Business.
Preliminary Ballot Results announced provided by the Rev. Korey Wright
Prayer by Council Chaplain prior to the launch of Ballot Two
Ballot Two launched for positions requiring runoff:
Executive Board Clergy
Standing Committee Clergy
Noonday Prayer and Necrology delivered by Council Chaplain.
Announcement of 1-hour recess and other information/Lunch break
Council reconvened by Bishop Doyle
Celebration of New Communities/Ringing of the Great Commission Bell
This year’s ringing of the bell celebrates Resurrection, South Austin: a church that has joined the diocese by affiliation. At this 176th Council Business Meeting, the church is now Resurrection South Austin Episcopal Church.
Introduction of New Clergy to the Diocese
Video presentation featuring new clergy in the Diocese of Texas was shared.
Update from Camp Allen
Allen Kight, president of Camp Allen thanked the clergy and people of diocese and shared other announcements about opportunities at Camp Allen. He also provided an overview of their current fundraising campaign and an overview of new initiatives and construction projects in the piney woods.
Report on Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF)
Dr. Ann Barnes presented, giving an update on the EHF. She explained its history, purpose, and explained how they facilitate their service across the state and the diocese. She recapped Igniting Change, EHF’s strategic framework. She explained how EHF work is centered around health and health care services, community-based work (Healthy Communities), and health policy (Health Policies).
Report from Supervisors and Tellers
The Rev. Korey Wright reported the results of Ballot Two. The bishop recognized and thanked all who were nominated and those who were elected.
Report of the Treasurer of the Diocese of Texas
Linda Riley Mitchell, CPA, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, provided the 2025 Council Treasurer’s Report. She shared several comprehensive financial reports of diocese. She summarized that the diocese realized revenues that were higher than expected last year and were available to offset slightly higher costs. The diocese is financially-sound and debt-free. Report Highlight: Among numerous highlights, she shared that $33.6M was given to churches and institutions by the foundations last year.
Recommendation by the Treasurer of the Diocese for Council Offering taken at the 176th Council
The treasurer recommended that funds from Council Offering be donated to Episcopal Relief and Development for wildfire development. After a vote, the recommendation was approved.
2025 Diocesan Budget, Bette Lehmberg, Chair of Finance Committee
Chair Lehmberg gave thanks to the Business Services staff and the members of the Finance Committee. She presented a detailed budget to Council for approval which included assessments, Report Highlight:Assessments decreased 19.8% for 2024.
The bishop noted that the assessment has remained low, and without change.
Elections on Bishop’s Nominations/Announcement of Appointments by Bishop Doyle
This process has been completed.
Report of the Committee for Council Management and Invitation to 177th Council
The Rev. Canon Christine Faulstich informed attendees that next year’s Council will be held February 27-28, 2026 in The Woodlands.
Adjournment, Doxology and Benediction
Bishop Doyle adjourned the 176th Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas at 2:30 p.m. Following the doxology, Bishop Seage offered the benediction.