The 44th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee convened November 14–15, 2025, at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, gathering clergy and lay leaders from across the Diocese for worship, discernment, and shared governance. Centered on the theme “One Church: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism,” the convention reflected both continuity and change as the Diocese looked honestly at its present realities while faithfully preparing for the future.
An Opening Eucharist for the Whole Diocese
The convention formally began on Friday evening with an opening Eucharist followed by a reception at Calvary Episcopal Church. Unlike the legislative sessions of convention, the Friday evening liturgy was open to all members of the Diocese, extending an invitation beyond registered delegates and convention attendees. Clergy, lay leaders, parishioners, and friends from across West Tennessee gathered to worship together, marking the beginning of convention as a shared celebration.
The reception that followed provided space for fellowship, reunion, and welcome, setting a tone of hospitality and connection that carried into the sessions that followed.
Bishop Phoebe Roaf presented the Bishop’s Cross Award to Andy Cobb, Chancellor of the Diocese of West Tennessee, in recognition of his longstanding service and faithful leadership. The Bishop’s Cross Award is among the diocese’s highest honors, given to individuals whose ministry has had a lasting and significant impact on diocesan life.
In presenting the award, Bishop Phoebe lifted up Cobb’s years of service as chancellor, noting his steady counsel, deep institutional knowledge, and commitment to the well-being of congregations and diocesan leadership alike. Cobb’s legal expertise and pastoral sensibility have guided the Diocese through seasons of growth, transition, and complexity, always with an eye toward the Church’s mission and canonical integrity.
Keynote Address: Trust, Leadership, and Adaptive Change
On Saturday, the Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger offered a two-part keynote address titled “When Trust Is Not Enough” and “The Problem for Pleasers.” Drawing from his work in adaptive leadership, Bolsinger invited delegates to consider the limits of trust alone in times of deep institutional change and the necessity of courageous leadership rooted in mission rather than comfort.
His reflections resonated strongly in a diocese navigating congregational transitions, shared ministry experiments, and shifting demographics. Bolsinger challenged leaders to resist the temptation to appease competing expectations and instead remain grounded in God’s call, even when that call requires difficult decisions or faithful letting go.
Resolutions: Governance, Mission, and Ministry
All resolutions brought before the convention were adopted, addressing governance issues, clergy support, and the Diocese’s longterm mission strategy.
WTN 2025-2: MISSION STRATEGY FOR A CHANGING DIOCESE
Proposer: The Rev. Sarah Cowan (Holy Communion); Endorsers: The Ven. Hester Mathes (Holy Trinity), The Rev. Donna Gerold (St. John’s)
This resolution supports the Standing Committee and Bishop & Council in discerning and developing a diocesan mission strategy with input from clergy and lay leaders throughout the Diocese, with a progress report to be presented at the 2026 Diocesan Convention. The resolution acknowledges changing demographics, evolving congregational realities, and the potential merging of faith communities, while reaffirming the Church’s responsibility to “the cure of souls” across geographic communities.
WTN 2025-3: DEACON PARTICIPATION IN CHURCH PENSION GROUP
Proposer: The Rev. Deacon Gerri Endicott (Holy Apostles); Endorsers: The Ven. Hester Mathes (Holy Trinity), The Rev. Deacon Debbie McCanless (St. John’s)
This resolution establishes requirements for diocesan faith communities to provide financial participation in the Church Pension Group for compensated deacons and to offer nominal remuneration for uncompensated deacons, enabling access to benefits and wellness programs. Implementation begins January 1, 2027, with encouragement for early adoption.
WTN 2025-4: CLARIFYING LANGUAGE IN CANONS 7 AND 11
Proposer: Committee on Constitution and Canons; Endorsers: The Rev. Canon Rob Courtney, The Rev. Jonathan Chesney (Holy Communion)
This resolution clarifies eligibility language for service on the Standing Committee and Commission on Ministry, aligning these canons with existing provisions governing Bishop & Council and ensuring consistency across diocesan governance.
WTN 2025-5: ENHANCING THE ROLE OF STANDING COMMITTEE IN CANON 15
Proposer: Committee on Constitution and Canons
Endorsers: The Rev. Canon Rob Courtney, The Rev. Sarah Cowan (Holy Communion)
This resolution revises Canon 15 to clarify approval processes for the conveyance or encumbrance of diocesan and congregational property, strengthening collegiality and procedural clarity among diocesan leadership bodies.
Elections and Leadership
Delegates elected nominees to diocesan and churchwide leadership roles, affirming a slate of lay and clergy leaders from across the Diocese of West Tennessee. All nominees standing for election were elected.
Those elected are as follows:
BISHOP & COUNCIL
Amanda McGriff (Clergy, 4-year term, Non-Parochial)
Bill Webb (Lay, 4-year term, Good Shepherd)
STANDING COMMITTEE
Katherine Bush (Clergy, 3-year term, Calvary)
John Planchon (Lay, 3-year term, St. George’s)
DISCIPLINARY BOARD
Sandy Webb (Clergy, 3-year term, Holy Communion)
TRUSTEE, UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH
Dalton Lyon (Calvary)
GENERAL CONVENTION DELEGATES
Robyn Banks (Lay, Calvary)
Gerri Endicott (Clergy, Holy Apostles)
Donna Gerold (Clergy, St. John’s)
Scott Haight (Lay, St. Mary’s Dyersburg)
Cynthia McCarty (Lay, Holy Apostles)
Lisa McIndoo (Clergy, Holy Apostles)
Ollie Rencher (Clergy, Grace-St. Luke’s)
Discerning a Shared Future: The “New Wineskins” Conversation
A significant focus of convention discussion was the ongoing discernment among five Memphis congregations—All Saints’, Emmanuel, Good Shepherd, Holy Trinity, and St. Joseph’s and often referred to as the “New Wineskins” group—as they explore the possibility of merging into a new, shared faith community. This discernment process, initiated by the congregations themselves and facilitated by diocesan leadership, arises from years of collaborative ministry, shared Holy Week services, and changing congregational realities.
Delegates heard about the theological, pastoral, and missional dimensions of this work, which is unfolding alongside broader conversations about diocesan mission strategy. The potential merger was framed not simply as a response to decline, but as an opportunity for renewed Episcopal presence, creative mission, and faithful stewardship in under-served areas of Memphis. The conversation served as a concrete example of the adaptive leadership themes raised throughout the convention.
The Bishop’s Reflections and Looking Ahead
In her address, Bishop Phoebe Roaf reflected on a year shaped by sabbatical, global engagement within the Anglican Communion, and deep gratitude for diocesan staff and leaders who sustained the work of the church in her absence. She highlighted the success of the Small Church Conference, the continued impact of Do Good & Share Ministry Grants, growth in youth leadership through the Diocesan Youth Council, and ongoing support for those discerning ordained ministry
Bishop Roaf also pointed toward the future, noting plans for strategic planning in 2026, continued discernment around shared ministry, and preparation for the 82nd General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
One Church, Faithfully Moving Forward
As the 44th Diocesan Convention concluded, delegates departed with a renewed sense of shared purpose. In worship, legislation, conversation, and prayer, the Diocese of West Tennessee affirmed its commitment to live as one church, grounded in baptism, attentive to change, and hopeful about the work God is doing in its midst.
