Posted 10:38 pm Saturday, October 06, 2012
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Texas diocese consecrates new bishop
By REBECCA HOEFFNER
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
The Bishop Suffragan for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas will be consecrated today in a ceremony at Caldwell Auditorium.
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
The Bishop Suffragan for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas will be consecrated today in a ceremony at Caldwell Auditorium.
The Rev. Jeff Fisher, former rector of St. Alban’s in Waco, will be based in Tyler and will serve congregations in the Diocese of Texas’ eastern region.
A Bishop Suffragan is an assisting bishop and serves under the direction of the diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas. In addition to his Episcopal visitations and confirmations, Fisher will have oversight of the clergy pastoral care and renewal and prison ministries, according to the written release.
“This is the first time there’s been a bishop consecration in Tyler,” David Lukenbach, rector of Christ Church in Tyler, said. “It’s usually done at the cathedral in Houston … I was humbled to be asked.”
Before Fisher was ordained in 2004, he served as chief financial officer for Hand Benefits & Trust, Inc., in Houston. It’s experience that has helped him in ministry, he said.
“It helps me connect with people in their daily lives,” he said.
While Fisher was rector of St. Alban’s, the church experienced an unprecedented 85 percent growth, according to a written release.
Fisher believes the Episcopal Church today faces many of the same problems that all churches face, he said: declining membership and aging buildings. But he was quick to add that he was excited about a trend he’s noticed: people living out their faith in places other than a church building.
“I see new life in churches that’s really an ancient way of doing things,” he said.
It’s a perspective that led him to start untraditional endeavors, such as a successful Bible Study class at a local pub in Waco.
Before Fisher was ordained in 2004, he served as chief financial officer for Hand Benefits & Trust, Inc., in Houston. It’s experience that has helped him in ministry, he said.
“It helps me connect with people in their daily lives,” he said.
While Fisher was rector of St. Alban’s, the church experienced an unprecedented 85 percent growth, according to a written release.
Fisher believes the Episcopal Church today faces many of the same problems that all churches face, he said: declining membership and aging buildings. But he was quick to add that he was excited about a trend he’s noticed: people living out their faith in places other than a church building.
“I see new life in churches that’s really an ancient way of doing things,” he said.
It’s a perspective that led him to start untraditional endeavors, such as a successful Bible Study class at a local pub in Waco.
“I think people are surprised to find church in the world,” he said. “It’s about getting outside of your comfort zone. Peter and Paul didn’t preach inside big churches with stained glass windows … The Gospel is for wherever people are hurting.”
Episcopal bishops are elected by a combination of clergy and lay people from throughout the diocese. Fisher was “nervous” throughout the election process, he said.
“Bishops’ elections never turn out how you expect, which shows you that the Holy Spirit is at work,” he said.
Fisher sees his role as Bishop Sufferagan as one of a unifier and encourager for the diocese, he said.
“Most of the time, bishops are thought of as a hammer, but we’re really here to encourage unity,” he said.
The liturgy will take place at 11 a.m. at Caldwell Auditorium. The public is invited. Fisher also will preach at Christ Church at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Episcopal bishops are elected by a combination of clergy and lay people from throughout the diocese. Fisher was “nervous” throughout the election process, he said.
“Bishops’ elections never turn out how you expect, which shows you that the Holy Spirit is at work,” he said.
Fisher sees his role as Bishop Sufferagan as one of a unifier and encourager for the diocese, he said.
“Most of the time, bishops are thought of as a hammer, but we’re really here to encourage unity,” he said.
The liturgy will take place at 11 a.m. at Caldwell Auditorium. The public is invited. Fisher also will preach at Christ Church at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday.
