Building on his work as Canon for Church Multiplication, C4SO has affirmed Kris McDaniel’s candidacy for election as its next Suffragan Bishop. Kris has been in a substantial season of discernment, including assessments, background checks, interviews, and consultation with his wife, Karyn, our SLT, wardens, and other trusted leaders in C4SO.

Important steps remain before any appointment is confirmed, but the process has now reached a point where the diocese has permitted the news to be shared publicly.

In the pastoral and strategic leadership of a diocese, a “Suffragan” Bishop serves under the Diocesan Bishop (also known as the “Ordinary”). The word comes from the Latin word suffraganeus, which means assistant, helper, or voter. If confirmed, Kris would partner with Bishop Jeff Bailey in serving C4SO churches and leaders through coaching, encouragement, confirmations, ordinations, and other forms of pastoral oversight.

No. Bishop Jeff invited Kris to consider whether he might be open to serving in this capacity. Kris received that invitation with gratitude and then entered a careful season of prayer and discernment.

Kris and Karyn prayed together; he also sought wisdom from Trinity’s Senior Leadership Team, wardens, finance leadership, and trusted colleagues within C4SO. Throughout the process, Kris has tried to remain open-handed about what God may have for him and for Trinity.

No. C4SO has affirmed Kris’s candidacy, but the process is not yet complete.

The next steps include an affirmation vote at C4SO’s online convention on November 7 and a final gathering with the College of Bishops in mid-January. If the remaining steps lead to confirmation, Kris would be consecrated as a Suffragan Bishop in late January at Trinity.

No. Kris is not stepping away from Trinity and will remain Trinity’s Lead Pastor. He loves serving this church and sees this possible part-time role as an extension of, not a departure from, his ministry at Trinity.

If the process moves forward, Kris will see some of his existing diocesan responsibilities shift to accommodate this new role. We will continue to communicate clearly as the practical details of those responsibilities and Trinity’s everyday leadership are further discerned.

There are no immediate changes to announce. For instance, Kris’s preaching frequency at Trinity is not expected to change.

If confirmed, some of Kris’s time will be given to additional diocesan responsibilities, including coaching pastors and leaders, partnering with Bishop Jeff in strategic leadership, and visiting C4SO churches for events such as confirmations and ordinations. We are still discerning the longer-term shape of those responsibilities and will share more as details become clear.

Kris will continue serving as Trinity’s Lead Pastor, alongside our wardens, Senior Leadership Team, staff, and other ministry leaders. Trinity’s leadership and mission remain steady.

Kris’s existing work with C4SO has grown naturally out of his calling as a pastor and Trinity’s calling to be a resource church. As Trinity has increasingly served and encouraged others beyond our own congregation, this work has become part of our shared calling.

If confirmed, Kris would bring the perspective of a working parish pastor into his diocesan role: helping other pastors and leaders navigate the practical realities of leading churches, caring for staff, working with vestries, and building healthy ministry cultures.

This process has involved several important stages of discernment and review. The diocese asked Kris to keep the process confidential until certain thresholds had been reached, which allowed for careful discernment before sharing news more broadly.

Kris has not been discerning this alone. While the process could not be shared publicly until now, he has been in regular conversation with key Trinity leaders throughout.

Discernment sometimes leads to a clear answer that a particular path is not the one to pursue. If that happens, we will communicate that outcome.

Kris will continue serving as Trinity’s Lead Pastor, and we will remain grateful for his willingness to receive this invitation with humility and openness.

• November 7: C4SO’s online convention will hold an affirmation vote.

• January 11-15, 2027: The ACNA College of Bishops will hold an affirmation vote.

• Late January 2027: If the remaining steps lead to confirmation, Kris would be consecrated as a Suffragan Bishop at Trinity.

If the consecration takes place, it will be a significant celebration for Trinity and C4SO, and the whole congregation will be invited.

We will be holding two info sessions after the 11am services on Sunday, November 15 and Sunday, December 13.

Please pray for Kris and Karyn, Bishop Jeff, the leaders and churches of C4SO, the ACNA College of Bishops, and Trinity’s leadership. Ask God for wisdom, peace, clarity, and continued faithfulness as we discern what He is doing in and through this process.