What is a Canon?

“We, will not boast beyond limits but will keep within the field that God has assigned to us.” (2 Corinthians 10:13 NRSVUE).

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he assures the congregation that God assigns a field of responsibility to each church leader. This word, “field”, in Greek is the word “canon.” What is a canon? It is another way of talking about a unit of measure. When a canon is a thing, it acts as a boundary marker (like lines on a soccer field). For instance, in the church we have a canon of scripture that sets the boundaries for what is in the Bible and what is not. The church has canon law, which is the written rules to which we are held as a community. And we also have canons of liturgy, such as the words of “The Great Thanksgiving” which are not authorized to be changed without episcopal (bishop’s) approval. When the word “canon” is added to a person’s title, it indicates the large measure of responsibility within that position’s purview.

The position of canon does not require ordination. According to the national Episcopal church website, “Historically, canons were secular clergy who were connected to a cathedral or collegiate church.” Canons were first given this title because, even though they were not ordained, they shared in the common “rule” of life at the cathedral.

My title recently changed to Canon for Mission and Transformation. This indicates the expanded purview of my work, which used to fall under the title Priest Associate. As you might imagine from the change, a canon takes on a larger portion of responsibility and joins other “church elders” in managing the wider body of a church. This is why diocesan staffs often prefer the term “canon” for senior administrative or program positions: the purview is the wider diocese; and likewise, why we see the term canon for cathedral staff: the purview is not just the congregation but also the diocese and the city in which the cathedral resides.

My expanded purview is “mission and transformation” which may sound like an aspirational title, but lucky for me, the one responsible for transformation is not the clergy, but the Holy Spirit. She is the one who expresses God’s mission to the Church in ever new and fresh ways. My hope in this new role is to utilize the various canons of the church (its liturgical rubrics, prayers, music and traditions) to grow the mission of Trinity Cathedral, which is “to proclaim in word and action God’s justice, love and mercy for all creation.” I’m being asked to assure that all “the canons”, all the rules the Episcopal church has, are rightly used to further God’s just, loving, and merciful work in our diocese, city, and world.

To do just that, I’ve been given more responsibility in the area of liturgy, not just at the Cathedral (thanks Dean Owens!) but also in the diocese (thanks Bishop Anne!). I have joined Diocesan staff (on a very part-time basis) as its first Liturgist, fostering robust liturgies across the Diocese of Ohio and coordinating liturgies for diocesan events. In this way, I will also do canon-like things; making sure the boundaries of Episcopal liturgy are maintained while assuring that the Holy Spirit has the room she needs to play. Thank you, Trinity congregation, for allowing me to be your canon. I hope you’ll join me in worship for my installation service on Sunday, September 22 during our episcopal visitation by the Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly.

The Rev. Adrienne Koch

Canon for Mission & Transformation