[Ken Gray] As a priest I have always enjoyed close relationships with Anglican bishops with whom I have served in various dioceses since 1982. Our shared leadership was not without fault or challenge on both ends. At times bishops have been wonderfully supportive and inspiring to me. I hope the reverse is also true. I have been called on the carpet at least once, and have stormed the episcopal office with demands on occasion.
I have never felt called to episcopal ministry myself, nor has anyone ever suggested such a role for me. In our tradition, bishops are the defenders or regulators of our history and practice. They live and work at the centre of church life; I tend to live at the edges of church culture, a place where it is easy to complain and grumble without consequence and sometimes wisdom.
Archbishop Chris Harper is our National Indigenous Bishop, the second in such a role. He is trusted with guiding our emerging Indigenous church through the many next steps in its physical and spiritual journey. Our next General Synod in June 2025 will elect a new Primate (senior bishop) for the Anglican Church of Canada. What a fabulous message and encouragement if the synod were to elect Archbishop Chris as our next primate. As the Healing and Reconciliation journey continues for all Canadian Anglicans, such an election could be a watershed moment for our church.
Here is his recent column for the Anglican Journal. He reflects here on the responsibility and role of spiritual leaders for Canadian Anglicans.
[Archbishop Chris Harper reposted from the Anglican Journal]
Feather: Creator God, we thank you for the day you have granted and set before us. As we step forward in life and faith, walk with us to guide us on the good road. Protect us from missteps and the traps along the way, keep our eyes and hearts from the many distractions that ever beset us, and bless us with the peace that comes only from you. Today we pray for those who are called to be leaders of your people. Grant them wisdom, patience and peace that they may serve in the depth and capacity of their calling. Grant the blessings of courage and humility to all in our community, that we can walk in unity and serve in greater capacities to build up and enable others. Finally, bless us with your love and promise, that we can listen more to be peacemakers; open our hearts that we can see the others before us in their beauty and calling; and guide us all to be ministers of love who can see you within the circle of all we do and say. Amen.
Sage: March in the Plains Cree moon calendar is Mikisew Pisim or “Eagle Moon.” The eagle is a powerful symbol of leadership, strength and blessing. So, it is right that this month we lift up our prayers for the leaders in our ministry.
In my travels, I always say to the communities, “Pray for your bishop; love, support and bless them in their ministry. In this you are doing God’s calling.” This spring there will be four diocesan episcopal elections—in Saskatoon, Moosonee, the Arctic and Rupert’s Land—as well as the election of a new suffragan bishop in the diocese of Montreal. This means that there will be, God willing in all things, five new members added to the church’s House of Bishops. Being a leader is no easy feat at the best of times, and we the people need to remember that in such a critical and vocal age. Bishops and other leaders of the church are called by the Almighty and community to be prayerful rallying voices and stalwart guides for the faithful—not to be set on a pedestal, but to walk with the people in healing and blessing.
Remember that we are all called to leadership, to give our level best and be all that to which we were called and for which we were created—to serve, forgive, love, lift up and enable the other before us. This month of the Eagle Moon, let us pray for others more than ourselves; let us pray for the House of Bishops and all who are called to leadership; let us pray for those who will be called to the role of primate in our upcoming General Synod, and let us pray that we as a church and community of believers can be better today than we were yesterday.
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 
I never thought of +Chris simply because I feel that it would be a waste to saddle him with what Primates do now when what he is doing seems so much more creative and interesting. Otherwise it is a brilliant idea! However, I am not sure that we can expect our Primate to do the things now expected and look after the indigeneous church as well.
I think that one of the roles of a Bishop is to gather people , as Ignatius of Antioch admonishes, and to encourage and tell stories and to ensure that the faith is being kept. I always enjoyed telling stories of other places in the diocese, the Canadian Church and the Communion. I was privileged to visit widely because we could do that in this days and to host visitors. To encourage one another. + Chris seems good at that.
LikeLike
The primacy would certainly need to be re-shaped. But isn’t that coming anyway? As you are well aware, talk alone about growing the space, character, and practice of the emerging Indigenous church seems, to me, have stalled. Nuff talk. Action please.
LikeLike