Executive Archdeacon, Episcopal Commissary, and Regional Dean for the Kitikmeot

The Vision

The Diocese of The Arctic has been called to an extraordinary task: to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and to enable Christians for ministry across the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Nunavik region of Quebec.

We are Biblically-faithful, outgoing, Gospel-sharing, optimistic, faithful Christians, drawing on the riches of the Anglican tradition, building on over a century of experience of finding creative solutions to do incredible things for God’s glory with whatever resources He has provided. We understand the Anglican idea of “the parish” in the fullest sense that it was spoken about by faithful writers through the ages: clergy and leaders appointed to have the cure of souls for everyone around a place that is claimed as a mission field.  In short, Christ gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and we’re those who are just crazy enough to say “Yes, Lord – challenge accepted”.

The Bishop and Suffragan Bishops of The Arctic are looking to expand. There is a greater need for faithful preaching, teaching, healing, and pastoral care in the Name of Jesus than ever before, so the Church needs to boldly step up and get serious, not shrink back, sell off property,  spout politically-correct niceties, and dwindle slowly into nothingness.  We need to repent of where we’ve lost sight of the mission, but then have that incredible faith that, if we are faithful, God will provide all that we need, not just to get by, but to have success in Christ’s mission to the Glory of God the Father.

The Bishop and Suffragan Bishops hold firm to a word of prophecy that has been repeated by many different people over several decades: that God is preserving Christians in the North, for when the day comes that they are called and sent to be missionaries to the South, “reminding them what they have forgotten”. To that end, we train, mentor, and encourage vocations, eagerly looking to grow the team, trusting that the day is coming when the Church in the North will be so full that we will overflow and bring the best gift – the Good News – back to those who originally brought it to us.

All of this means that we function like no other diocese in the Western world: we have the forms and positions you’d expect for an Anglican diocese, the operations and mentality of a frontier missionary organization, and the business structure of a multi-campus megachurch as we offer centralized assistance to local congregations in 49 communities through a single incorporated entity.  In Northern terms, the Diocese is a co-op: the parishes are the members, and the office exists to pool talent, gifts, and resources for the benefit of all.

The Opportunity

The Bishop of The Arctic will appoint a priest to serve as Executive Archdeacon of The Arctic and to serve as Episcopal Commissary in the Bishop’s absence.  The Executive Archdeacon holds all the rights, duties, and responsibilities assigned in the Act to Incorporate the Bishop of The Arctic, the Constitution, and the Canons that are assigned to the Archdeacon or the Executive Officer.  Because we believe the cure of souls to be inseparable from our shared vocation, the Executive Archdeacon will be concurrently appointed as Regional Dean for the Kitikmeot region.

We understand the term “archdeacon” in its etymological sense: the Executive Archdeacon is to be the “chief servant” in the mission and ministry of the Diocese. The Executive Archdeacon’s role and responsibilities are equivalent to those of an Executive Director of a similarly-sized secular charity. While the Bishop maintains canonical and legal authority for the diocesan corporation, responsibility for the temporal and operational aspects related to mission, ministry, administration, and development are delegated to the Archdeacon.  The Executive Archdeacon is an officer of the diocesan synod and serves ex-officio as Diocesan Registrar and Secretary of the Executive Committee.

The Archdeacon serves as the chief of staff for the Diocesan Office, and convenes regular meetings of the clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese, in order to ensure effective communication.  The Archdeacon supervises the day-to-day ‘business’ operations of the diocese with relation to human resources, licensing, recruitment, insurance, lands, government compliance, and annual reporting.  An integral part of the day-to-day life of the Archdeacon is keeping the Daily Office and joining the Bishops in the task of upholding the whole diocese in prayer. Office staff pray the morning office together at Holy Trinity Church on weekdays, except for holidays.

The Archdeacon, along with the Bishops, is to become a trusted name for donors, and most especially serves as the primary contact for granting organizations and ministry partners around the world.  On occasion, the Archdeacon will represent the Diocese to promote Arctic ministry and recruit potential ministers.

Alongside the Bishop and Finance Officer, the Archdeacon assists in drafting the budget and maintaining proper financial controls. Alongside the Bishop and gifted contractors and volunteers, the Archdeacon ensures the goals set by the bishops and Executive Committee are carried out to the best of our ability, including ongoing work in communications and donor-relations, and translation of educational and liturgical resources into local languages or dialects.

As directed by the Book of Common Prayer (1962), the Archdeacon will serve as an Examining Chaplain, working alongside the Suffragan Bishops and others with an active and prayerful role in advising the Diocesan Bishop concerning candidates for ordination. The Archdeacon will also be the first point of contact for those applying for Arctic ministry opportunities.

As Regional Dean for the Kitikmeot region, the Archdeacon will have a particular pastoral relationship to the communities of Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Taloyoak in Nunavut.  The Archdeacon will benefit in learning to appreciate the on-the-ground realities and blessings of Arctic ministry by building relationships with these lay leaders and vestries, and in making a visit 3 or 4 times per year to bring Word and Sacrament along with encouragement and training to the faithful in these communities along the Arctic coast.

This is a big job, but it is important to remember that Arctic ministry is team-based.  The North teaches us quickly that anyone who sets out on a task in isolation won’t last very long.  The Bishop, Suffragan Bishops, Archdeacon, Dean, Regional Deans, Office Staff, Director of the Arthur Turner Training School, along with the Clergy and Lay Leaders work together in a way you won’t find in other ministry contexts.

Qualifications:

• A generous and pastoral Anglican priest who is unashamed of scripture, committed to the theology of the Book of Common Prayer, and would unabashedly share the vision shared by the bishops.
• A willingness and excitement to learn the nuances of Northern cultures, and the great distinctiveness between each region’s traditions and practices.
• Humility to own “chief-servant” as a self-descriptor when patiently training or offering suggestions to dedicated local volunteers who are doing their best.
• Experience in leading people successfully, especially in terms of seeing projects through to completion where creative problem solving was necessary.
• An accredited masters degree is an asset, and may provide opportunities to teach occasional courses with the Arthur Turner Training School if desired.

Working Conditions:

This is a full-time on-site position at the Diocesan Office on 51st Street in Yellowknife, NT.  The Executive Archdeacon is expected to maintain regular office hours, to include attending daily Morning Prayer services with other staff.  Extended period of time sitting, using a computer, and speaking by phone or Zoom are to be expected, as well as lifting filing boxes and navigating the stairs to the lower-level file storage area.  Occasional evenings will be required (hosting training sessions, joining Zoom calls with parish vestries, joining committee meetings).

Some travel is required each year, including 2-4 trips into the Kitikmeot Region, an average of 2 trips as an exhibitor at relevant conferences to recruit clergy or promote ministry, as well as at least one trip annually for an in-person meeting of the Executive Committee or other diocesan meetings.

The Diocese maintains a “block schedule” for clergy.  A “block” is a morning, afternoon, or evening.  This position requires an average of 11 blocks per week, normally assigned as Monday-Friday morning, Monday-Friday afternoon, plus Sunday morning. Clergy are responsible to arrange their schedule each week to see that they take blocks of home or self-care time to make up for any blocks worked outside of their normal schedule.

Supervision and Accountability:

Reports to: The Diocesan Bishop and Executive Committee
Accountable to: The Diocesan Bishop and the Diocesan Synod
Supervises: All office staff, contractors, and service providers.

Term of Service and Special Considerations:

This is an indeterminate full-time position. In accordance with longstanding Anglican custom and the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese, the Executive Archdeacon serves “at the pleasure of the Bishop”.  All the usual protections for clergy that are afforded by General Synod Canon 17 apply.  Longstanding custom dictates that the Executive Archdeacon shall offer his or her letter of resignation to a newly-elected Diocesan Bishop, who may then re-appoint the Executive Archdeacon, or offer a parish placement.

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation for Arctic clergy is governed by the provisions set by the Council of The North.
By decision of our diocesan Executive Committee, the Executive Archdeacon of The Arctic is compensated equivalent to a Suffragan Bishop.  All amounts below are subject to annual review by the Executive Committee.

The CON base stipend is $3,479.78/month, and the Archdeacon will receive the maximum-allowable CON Length of Service allowance of $647.71/month along with a $500/month responsibility allowance and a location allowance of $308.33/month, for a total of $4,935.82 monthly.

It should be noted that Yellowknife is located in a “Zone A Prescribed Zone” for federal taxation purposes. After the first 6 months of residency, the Archdeacon (and their spouse, if applicable) would qualify for the federal Northern Residents Deduction and the Northern Residents Travel Deduction.  This is a valuable benefit that covers up to $10,000 per year of income tax per household.

This position includes enrolment in the General Synod Pension Plan of the Anglican Church of Canada.  Employer portion pays 12.5%, employee contributes 5%, with salary for pension purposes being calculated at 150% of stipend. Benefits include Health, Vision, and Dental benefits, Long-Term Disability plan, Group Life Insurance Benefits, Employee and Family Assistance Plan, and optional participation in the Continuing Education Plan.

Housing is provided in a 3-bedroom single-detached family home in a residential neighbourhood.  Property tax and electricity, heating oil, pellets, water, and waste removal utilities are provided.

6 weeks of paid vacation are provided per year, along with a Vacation Travel Allowance of $1,257.62 for the cleric, their spouse, and up to 3 children.  1 week of paid study leave is provided, along with participation in the Continuing Education Plan of the Anglican Church of Canada.