Area Mission

The 1973 General Convention changed the Canon “Of Missionary Jurisdictions,” and created a new jurisdiction called an area mission. The House of Bishops may establish a mission in any area not included within the boundaries of a diocese of the Episcopal Church, or of a church in communion with the Episcopal Church. An area mission may be undertaken under the sole authority of the Episcopal Church or jointly with another Christian body or bodies. For every area mission, a bishop of the Episcopal Church, or of a church in communion with the Episcopal Church, shall be assigned by the House of Bishops. A bishop assigned to an area mission is a missionary bishop. An area mission may become a missionary diocese. In a general sense, the term can refer to a specific geographical area that is designated by a diocese for evangelization, congregational development, and ministry development.