In The Episcopal Church, lay people, deacons, priests, and bishops all exercise leadership in our governance, whether at the parish level, in dioceses, or in our churchwide bodies. Sitting atop the church’s three-tier hierarchy is the General Convention, the church’s chief governing body and final earthly authority. General Convention comprises a bicameral legislature that typically meets every three years and is composed of elected deputies and bishops from each diocese. Between meetings of the General Convention, the Executive Council is tasked with oversight of the budget and policies adopted by the General Convention and functions as the board of directors of The Episcopal Church’s corporate structure (formally known as the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the New York not-for-profit corporation under which The Episcopal Church does business).

The Episcopal Church is led by its presiding bishop, who is the chief executive officer of the church’s corporate structure, the presiding officer of the House of Bishops, and the chair of Executive Council. The presiding bishop has responsibility for initiating and developing the policy and strategy of the church, for speaking God’s word to the church and to the world, and, as primate, for leading our ministry with the global Anglican Communion.

The president of the House of Deputies presides over a legislative body of more than 800 lay and clergy members elected by their diocesan conventions and serves as vice chair of Executive Council and a vice president of The Episcopal Church’s corporate structure. The president may be either a lay person or member of the clergy.

Together, the presiding bishop and president of the House of Deputies embody The Episcopal Church’s commitment to sharing authority and responsibility for the flourishing of God’s church among lay people, clergy, and bishops.

The 82nd General Convention of The Episcopal Church is scheduled for July 3-8, 2027, in Phoenix, Arizona.