Suffragan Bishop Election · 2026

Electing C4SO’s Next Suffragan Bishop

C4SO is growing, and so is our leadership team. As part of that growth, we are beginning the process of electing a new Suffragan Bishop, a role the whole diocese will help affirm.

This landing page will track that process as it unfolds so that every church, rector, clergy and lay person in C4SO can follow along, ask questions and pray with us.

Why a Suffragan Bishop?

Growing our leadership to match our growth

As C4SO has grown, Bishop Jeff has been expanding our leadership team to make sure every church has strong, responsive support. In August, the Very Rev. Drew Henley began serving as Canon to the Ordinary, acting as Bishop Jeff’s deputy on day-to-day pastoral and leadership questions.

The Suffragan Bishop is the next important piece of that growing team. Reimagined for where C4SO is today, this role will focus on two priorities: planting new churches and forming clergy for the work ahead. The person who fills it will be a seasoned, proven leader invested in growing C4SO’s calling and capacity to join God in the renewal of all things.

A Role the Whole Diocese Affirms

Why this election belongs to all of us

There’s an important difference between this role and the Canon to the Ordinary. The Canon to the Ordinary was appointed directly by Bishop Jeff.

The Suffragan Bishop is different because he will carry episcopal authority and travel regularly to be present with C4SO churches in person, which means he belongs to C4SO in a unique way. Because of that, the whole diocese has a voice in affirming him through a formal election.

The Process

Steps in the Election Process

We’ll walk you through each step as it comes, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions along the way. The election will take place at the 2026 Diocesan Convention, and each C4SO church will appoint lay delegates to vote yes or no on the new Suffragan Bishop.

1

Permission secured Complete

C4SO has already received the necessary approval from the ACNA to elect a Suffragan Bishop.

2

Screening committee appointed Complete

The diocesan office will appoint a screening committee to oversee the search.

3

Candidate identified

The committee will recommend and vet one candidate in collaboration with Bishop Jeff.

4

Getting to know the candidate

The diocese will have several opportunities to meet the candidate, ask questions and share any concerns.

5

Diocesan vote Nov 7, 2026

Clergy and lay delegates will vote on the candidate at the Diocesan Convention.

6

College of Bishops approval

The College of Bishops will give final approval at their January meeting.

7

Consecration

The new Suffragan Bishop will be consecrated in early 2027.

The election takes place at the 2026 Diocesan Convention on November 7. Each C4SO church will appoint lay delegates to cast a vote.

Screening Committee

Who’s guiding the search

Clergy

Derek Axelson HeadshotDerek Axelson

Good Shepherd Nashville

Kara Barrett HeadshotKara Barrett

All Souls Seattle

Travis Lowe HeadshotTravis Lowe

Trinity Tampa

Lay

Katherine Duderstadt HeadshotKatherine Duderstadt

Christ Church Mission · Dir. of Ministry

Headshot PlaceholderAngela Rotello

Restoration · Dir. of NextGen

Jacinta Read HeadshotJacinta Read

Vintage Pasadena · Connections Pastor

How You Can Be Part of the Process

Every voice in C4SO matters

Clergy, lay leaders and congregation members — here’s what you can do now.

1

Pray

Ask God for a wise, trusted leader who will invest in the health and growth of our congregations and be present with our churches in person.

2

Stay informed

Check back here to find out what’s happening at each step of the process.

3

Engage when the time comes

Look for opportunities to meet the candidate and ask questions before the vote at the Diocesan Convention in November 2026.

FAQ

Suffragan Bishop Election: FAQ

The health and growth of the diocese has made it necessary to expand our leadership team. Bishop Jeff first appointed the Very Rev. Drew Henley as our Canon to the Ordinary (effective August 1) to give clergy a responsive, pastorally grounded point of contact. The Suffragan Bishop is the next piece of that team, focused on planting new churches and forming clergy for the work ahead.

He will be a seasoned, proven leader who invests in clergy growth, calling, and capacity. His primary focus is planting churches and clergy formation. He will travel regularly to be present with C4SO churches in person and will get to know our congregations and their people directly.

Bishop Jeff appointed the Canon to the Ordinary directly, but the Suffragan Bishop is different: He requires the affirmation of the broader diocese through an election vote. He will carry episcopal authority and belongs to C4SO in a unique, communal way.

For the Suffragan Bishop election, nominations will be made by our screening committee in collaboration with Bishop Jeff. Because of the close working relationship between Diocesan and Suffragan Bishops, it is imperative that nominations be made from an intimate knowledge of the job requirements and Bishop Jeff’s priorities.

C4SO’s canons require the Executive Leadership Team to nominate a minimum of two candidates for a Diocesan Bishop election (Title II, Canon 6, §1). However, neither C4SO’s canons nor ACNA’s canons require a specific number of candidates for a Suffragan Bishop election. That decision is left to the diocese, and most dioceses typically present one candidate for Suffragan Bishop. C4SO will follow these norms, with the screening committee undertaking a rigorous vetting process, and then presenting one candidate believed to be best for the role.

  1. C4SO has already obtained the necessary permission from the ACNA to elect a Suffragan Bishop.
  2. Bishop Jeff has appointed a screening committee of clergy and lay people from C4SO parishes.
  3. The screening committee will recommend and vet a suitable candidate in collaboration with Bishop Jeff.
  4. The diocese will have several opportunities to get to know the candidate and ask questions or share concerns.
  5. Clergy and lay delegates will vote at the Diocesan Convention.
  6. The College of Bishops will give final approval at their January meeting.
  7. The new Suffragan Bishop will be consecrated in early 2027.

Bishop Emeritus Steve Breedlove of the Diocese of Christ Our Hope is serving as our impartial Episcopal Advisor, making sure we fulfill all necessary provincial requirements. Chief Operating Officer Eric Vinson will walk alongside the screening committee to provide a double layer of accountability.

Clergy and lay delegates will vote on the candidate at the Diocesan Convention. All resident clergy are automatically delegates, and rectors of C4SO churches will select two or more lay delegates from their parish according to size.

The vote will take place at the Diocesan Convention on November 7, 2026.

Early 2027, following final approval from the College of Bishops at their January meeting.

Yes. The diocese will have several opportunities to get to know the candidate and ask questions or raise concerns before the vote at the Diocesan Convention.

As the process unfolds, we will walk you through each step on this landing page, email (Subscribe to our newsletter) and social media (@dioceseofc4so). Follow the process on this landing page for updates.

Begin praying for a wise and trusted Suffragan Bishop — one who will travel regularly to be present with C4SO churches in person and focus on the health and growth of congregations across the diocese.

Questions?

Questions about this process? We’re here to help.