Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church and pour out your Holy Spirit upon all who will participate in the process of choosing a bishop for this diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; Grant that all who are called to this sacred office may be filled with the truth of your doctrine, clothed in holiness of life, and devoted to your glory and the flourishing of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ, the shepherd and bishop of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, For the Election of a Bishop and For the Ministry (Ember Days)
This page serves as a central location for all resources supporting the Diocese of Tennessee’s process to elect a Bishop Diocesan. It will be continually updated with new information as the process progresses over this year and next. Please revisit frequently for the latest updates.
September 8, 2026
To the People of the Diocese of Tennessee:
The Standing Committee takes great pleasure in announcing the slate of nominees to be the twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Tennessee. They are:
The Rev’d Colin Ambrose
The Rev’d Cn. Brian Cannaday
The Rev’d Andy Olivo
Background information, videos, and written material from each nominee can be found on this website.
We also want to say a heartfelt thank you to the members of the Search Committee as they have worked through the extended search and especially want to thank the Rev’d Chris Bowhay and Mr. Bryan Essary, co-chairs of the Committee. At every step of the way, the Search Committee has taken great care to represent the fullness of the Diocese and to discern those candidates who were most capable and most committed to being the twelfth bishop of the Diocese. They have done this work with diligence and integrity and we, the Standing Committee, are delighted to present the slate of nominees they submitted to us.
Beginning in September 2025, under the leadership of the then co-chairs, Ms. Monica Fawknotson and the Rev’d Jacob Bottom, the Search Committee diligently organized and conducted a survey of the Diocese and listening sessions to learn the concerns of the Diocese. The input from these sources was incorporated into the diocesan profile in February. Starting in March, the Search Committee received names, read answers to their questions, listened to sermons, conducted video interviews, and attended a discernment retreat with the nominees. In June, the Standing Committee asked the members of the Search Committee to stay on for an extended search and the process of taking names and conducting interviews started over. Finally, just last week, the Search Committee met with a select group of candidates to determine the final nominees. The Standing Committee has every confidence that the Search Committee has completed their task faithfully and well and we are greatly appreciative of their hard work and dedication.
The Electing Convention for the twelfth bishop will take place on October 24, 2026. Should there be someone who recommends that another person be considered, you will find the rules for the petition process, which closes September 15, under separate cover on this website.
Again, thank you to the Search Committee for their hard work and careful attention. Please pray for the Diocese of Tennessee and our nominees as we gather to discern the next Bishop of Tennessee.
In Christ,
The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Tennessee
Thursday, October 15, 6:30-9:30pm
St. James the Less
411 W Due West Ave, Madison, TN 37115
This session is scheduled for the convenience of members of the Diocese who live north and northwest of Nashville.
Friday, October 16, 6:30-9:30pm
St. Bartholomew’s Church
4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville, TN 37220
Saturday, October 17, 2:00-5:00pm
School of Theology, The University of the South
335 Tennessee Avenue, Sewanne, TN 37383
The Standing Committee has established two important committees and has appointed people to serve on each in order to help guide the diocese through a healthy, transparent, faithful, joyful, and prayerful process. These two committees play very different, yet equally vital roles.
The Search Committee is responsible for listening to the diocese in a structured way and then communicating our gifts and needs in the form of a diocesan profile; recruiting, receiving, and discerning nominations for bishop; and presenting a slate of candidates to the Standing Committee.
The Transition Committee is responsible for welcoming and hosting candidates in the diocese, celebrating Bishop Bauerschmidt, and events surrounding the electing convention and ordination weekend.
July — August 2026
September — November 2026
April 10, 2027