Bishop Smith's interview with The Living Church

Bishop Proposes Becoming Cathedral Dean

Posted on: January 20, 2011

The Bishop of North Dakota has proposed putting the cathedra back in cathedral, asking his diocese to consider approving him as the next dean of Gethsemane Cathedral, Fargo.

In the Rt. Rev. Michael G. Smith’s proposal, which appeared on his weblog Jan. 14 and on the diocese’s weblog Jan. 17, the bishop would devote two-thirds of his time to being dean and rector of the cathedral and one-third to being bishop. He envisions a staff of a full-time administrator, a full-time secretary, a quarter-time minister for pastoral care at the cathedral, and a diocesan ministry team (three canon missioners and the bishop’s executive assistant).

“My hope is for the Diocese of North Dakota to become one church with 21 mission outposts and emerging fresh expressions throughout our area,” Smith told The Living Church. “The cathedral could become the center and headquarters for this mission enterprise. My sense is that the future will depend less on our financial resources and more on the creativity and commitment of our members as we become communities of disciples serving the Lord Jesus Christ in our several communities.

“I am not campaigning for or trying to force this proposal,” he added. “I am simply presenting another model for discernment by the community. It may well be a long shot, as both the chapter and diocesan council will need to agree, and change does not come easily. I believe, however, that it is my responsibility as a leader to bring these issues before the church.”
In his proposal, Smith appealed to the early history of the Episcopal Church and to the consents granted to Bishop-elect Michael P. Milliken of Western Kansas, who has announced his intention to remain half-time rector of Grace Church, Hutchinson, after his consecration Feb. 19 as the diocese’s fifth bishop.

The Diocese of Washington also provides precedent.

The Rt. Rev. John T. Walker was dean of Washington National Cathedral from 1978 to 1989, during a time of financial challenge, and he appointed Charles A. Perry as provost. The Rt. Rev. John B. Chane was interim dean for 18 months in 2003-05 as the cathedral sought the successor of Dean Nathan D. Baxter.

The Very Rev. Steven A. Sellers, who has served as dean and rector of Gethsemane Cathedral since 2007, has resigned effective March 15. The dean and his wife, Dixie, are returning to Texas, he wrote on the diocesan website Jan. 10.

“Please know that Dixie and I will hold all of you in our hearts as we move our household back to Houston, Texas, where Dixie has been teaching elementary school music the past 18 months, as our family has been forced to adjust to the new financial realities in this diocese and at the Cathedral,” Sellers wrote. “A new avenue and opportunity for priestly ministry has been opened for me in Houston, and I look forward to the new direction the Lord has brought into my life.”

Douglas LeBlanc