I learn that the Diocese of Rochester is seeking a new bishop. I will not bother applying as I doubt I could fit the requirements. The first half of the explicatory video is fair, though dull, enough. And then they get on to trying to explain the role of bishops to people who don't understand churchy language (weird, technical language, it seems, such as 'listening', or 'worship'). No, the huddled masses need to know that 'a bishop is a bit like the lead singer of a rock band. A front man, or woman, who shapes the band's identity and brand'.
Priorities, even strategic vision, I could understand. But identity? Brand? What brand could a diocese of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ conceivably have that it does not have by way of being a diocese of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ? A diocese is a jurisdiction of church communities in communion with a bishop who is, in theory, themselves in communion with the Church Catholic or as much of it as possible. It doesn't have a brand which is separate from the Church because it doesn't exist separate from the Church.
If this reflects how the current bench of bishops understand their role, heaven help us all. I'm not sure they understand how rock bands tend to work either: the phrase 'splitting because of artistic differences' comes to mind.
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