August 27, 2025
History and Structure of TEC
by parishioner, Dick Fichter (The Camel) with Support by Rev. Dina
We have previously considered the traditions at Epiphany. Now we will explore a little bit about the history and structure of The Episcopal Church (TEC). Episcopal is a term that can be used for bishop or bishops.
To some, Epiphany is the church on the corner. A local church to attend due to its proximity and convenience in the same way I did in the small town I grew up in on Long Island.
It was the only nearby protestant church since the town, and my friends, were predominantly Roman Catholic. I enjoyed Sunday school as a boy and followed the normal progression to confirmation to be able to take Holy Communion and then youth activities. I married Suzanne, the rector’s daughter, and we moved to Virginia.
In serving on the vestry and observing events at Epiphany I became interested in the structure of (TEC), its requirements to understand my responsibilities and duty to the church. Something which I had never considered seriously in the past.
This inevitably led to a consideration of its history.
The following is from TEC history:
1607-1785: The Church of England in the New World is overseen by the Bishop of London. The vestry system develops. Clergy are paid from taxes. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson serve on vestries.
1785: The First General Convention of Episcopal Church is held, with clergy and lay representatives from Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. The General Convention authorizes the preparation of an American Prayer Book and names itself the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
1787 The second General Convention adopts basically the present Episcopal Church structure. A Revised Book of Common Prayer, prepared by White, is adopted; this version of the BCP is substantially based on the 1662 Prayer Book.
It is not surprising, in view of the climate in the country to learn that the structure of TEC is in some ways similar to that of the United States government since the Constitution was also adopted in1787. Both provide checks and balances.
The following is substantially from the TEC website:
The Episcopal Church is governed by a bicameral General Convention, which meets every three years, and by an Executive Council during interim years. The General Convention consists of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies
The House of Bishops is composed of every bishop with jurisdiction (diocesan bishop), every bishop coadjutor, every suffragan bishop, every retired bishop, every bishop elected to an office created by General Convention, and every bishop who has resigned because of mission strategy – each of whom has a seat and vote.
The House of Deputies is composed of up to four lay and four clerical deputies from each of the jurisdictions, domestic and overseas, elected in the manner determined by each jurisdiction. Epiphany has a lay delegate in a similar manner but to the Diocese of Virginia which elects its lay deputies to the General Convention.
The legislative process of the General Convention is an expression of The Episcopal Church’s belief that, under God, the Church is ordered and governed by its people: laity, deacons, priests, and bishops.
The General Convention is the Church’s highest temporal authority. As such, it has the power to amend the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church; to amend the Book of Common Prayer and to authorize other liturgical texts; to adopt the budget for the Church; to create covenants and official relationships with other branches of the Church; to determine requirements for its clergy and other leaders; to elect its officers, members of the Executive Council, and certain other groups; to delegate responsibilities to the Interim Bodies of The Episcopal Church; and to carry out various other responsibilities and authority.
To pass legislation requires a majority vote in each house, with the issue defined in the same language in each house.
Next time we will discuss the integration and relationship of TEC, the Diocese, and parishes in the Diocese.
