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Ten for Ten: an interview with Bishop Jim

 

The Right Rev’d Jim Njegovan has been the Bishop of Brandon for ten years — he celebrates the anniversary on February 2nd. Here’s the interview!

 

Firstly, I’m curious about your call to ordination; what was there about your younger years that made you want to pursue ordination? When and how did you sense you were called to the episcopate?

 

I was involved with the Church from very early on in my life — in fact I still have a few Little Helper Birthday cards I received from my parish in Flin Flon. St. James’ (as it was then) was always a special place for me and I have fond memories of the people who were part of the parish and of those who taught and were with me in Sunday School. We would also have our own short service based on the Service for Young People from the Book of Common Prayer. At times we would also attend Morning Prayer in the Church and join the congregation in singing the Canticles, the tunes of which still resonate in my mind each time I say the Daily Office. I read a lesson when I was around twelve and following the service a number of parishioners told me how well I had done. It was also when I was first asked if I had ever thought about becoming a priest. At the time I said no, but there was a sense in which the question never left me and in my first year of University I was asked again, this time by the College Chaplain. At 18 I nervously met with Bishop Wilkinson to talk about a possible vocation. I recall him greeting me warmly and praying with me before I left him. At the time I was taking a university religion course, “Contemporary Atheism and Belief in God” which challenged me to examine what it was I believed. I also became active with the College Chapel community. In the course of it all I became more and more convinced that God was calling me to be a priest and that sense of call was ultimately affirmed by the Church. As for a call to the Episcopate it was again through others who said things like, “you’ll be a Bishop one day”. I was surprised as any one when my name was put forward for a number of Episcopal elections, the first when I was only 38. It was and is a humbling experience to be called worthy by the Church of God.

 

Every Bishop is different, what do you think you bring to this important ministry? What parts of your personality are well suited for the work of a Bishop?

 

These kinds of questions are probably better answered by others but I hope that I bring a sense of calm, steadfastness and perseverance; a belief that with God all things are possible. I think by nature I am a calm person who tries to allow both heart and mind bear on decisions that need to be made.

 

Do you think you were prepared, ten years ago, when you were elected? What have been your most significant areas of personal growth since then?

 

There is a sense in which I do not think anyone can be prepared for election as a bishop, but at the same time my life in the Church from childhood up did much to prepare me as did serving in a variety of parishes and with numerous parish and diocesan committees and commissions.

 

Were there any surprises when you first became Bishop? Are there still surprises?

 

Perhaps the greatest surprise for me was how little people really seem to know about the Bishop’s ministry and authority as Chief Priest and Pastor in the Diocese or maybe it would be better to say how little the Bishop’s ministry as described in the Ordinal is understood. I am still surprised by those who believe that the Bishop simply needs to speak and matters will be solved or settled, but I am also surprised by those who believe the opinion of the Bishop is just one among many. I am not certain how that squares with the ordination promise to “be guided by the pastoral direction and leadership of your bishop” or that “to obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work.”

 

Was there a significance to having chosen the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) as the occasion for your Consecration? Or did you get to choose? What was the process from priest to bishop like?

 

I was delighted when the opportunity arose for me to be consecrated bishop on Candlemas. Following my becoming bishop-elect in October of 2001 the Metropolitan was scheduled for some surgery prior to my being consecrated and following my election Archbishop Ashdown had also become bishop-elect in the Diocese of Keewatin with the result that two services of consecration needed to be arranged when the Provincial House of Bishops could be present. It made sense because of the nature of travel in our province for +David to be consecrated first in Kenora and then have the bishops travel on to Brandon. I had mentioned the possibility of Candlemas to the Archbishop and he was in agreement so arranged that Archbishop David would be consecrated on January 31 and for me to be consecrated on February 2, 2002, at 2:00 pm. Since my ordination to the priesthood on the Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I have always felt a special devotion to our Lady and with Candlemas being a Feast which also celebrates the Mother of our Lord I was blessed to have it for such a momentous occasion in my life.

I am not certain I can describe a process from priest to bishop as I am one who while celebrating the distinct Orders of Ministry; Bishop, Priest, Deacon, and Lay, believes that one never ceases to be what one becomes. I am always a member of the Laity, of the Diaconate, the Priesthood, and the Episcopate. The process of learning the distinct roles of each of those Orders happened through the grace of God and by study, observation, and conversation with those who have served before me.

 

What have been some highlight(s) of your Episcopate thus far? What do you miss the most about parish life? What do you enjoy the most about serving as our Bishop?

 

There have been many highlights for me, the first being the Service of Consecration. It was a glorious occasion with all the Bishops present ‘chaplained’ by a youth from each of the Deaneries of the Diocese and the Cathedral filled to overflowing. Other highlights for me have been the many celebrations of Confirmation, Ordination and significant parish anniversaries; each one a celebration of God’s gracious love for the Church. It was a joy for me to attend the Lambeth Conference with Bernadette and to gather with the Archbishops, Bishops and Spouses from around the Communion as we rejoiced in the ministry to which the whole Church has been called and the bonds of affection which bind us together in our Lord Jesus.

What I miss most about parish life is the intimate connection you are able to establish with so many people as you share with them in times of joy and sorrow. It is still there to some extent as Bishop but not to the same degree as for parish clergy.

What I enjoy most as Bishop is the opportunity it provides to visit the parishes of the diocese. While it can involve extensive travel it truly is a joy to be able to gather in worship in so many places and together celebrate God’s grace to us.

 

Is there anything you wish more Anglicans knew about the Episcopacy in general?

 

As I said earlier I would hope more people would become familiar with the ministry of the Episcopate as outlined in the Ordinal. It is I think, too easy to think of the Bishop as a sort of Church bureaucrat rather than as Chief priest and pastor.

 

What would you like people to know about your ministry in particular?

 

Chiefly that it is sustained by their prayers and that my greatest desire is to live out the vows which I made 10 years ago.

 

What are the strengths of the Diocese of Brandon, in your opinion? Similarly, what are our greatest challenges? How do you think your particular gifts for ministry help with the challenges and augment our corporate strengths?

 

The strength of the Diocese is found in the faith and determination of the membership. I am constantly uplifted and encouraged by those who so faithfully and unstintingly give of their time, talent and treasure to maintain the mission of the Church in their community. In many parts of our diocese the population has declined significantly and yet the Church, while perhaps small in number is still present and the members seek to reach out to their villages, towns, municipalities and cities and offer an invitation to come and see. As I visit those congregations I see how they care for one another and I rejoice that the care extends beyond the parish and even beyond the local community. Our greatest challenge is that which is shared by the whole Church which is to show the relevance of Christianity in today’s world. Over the years much damage has been done to the Church’s image as it has been portrayed or at times portrayed itself as somehow made up of individuals who are “holier than thou” rather than those who simply know their need of God. We are challenged to recognize that we are not the societal institution we once were, but that we still have a voice that needs to speak to the world of God’s reign of peace, justice, and love. It is as we lead lives which reflect the good news we seek to proclaim that the Lord will add to our numbers.

 

How do you plan to celebrate your anniversary?

 

On the 2nd itself I hope to have a day of quiet reflection; a time to give thanks to God for all the blessings I have known; and I time to recommit myself to God’s service. On Sunday, February 5th I will have the joy of gathering with the Cathedral parish for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

 

Congratulations Bishop Jim and may your coming years of service help us, here in the diocese, to grow as true disciples of Christ.