"Governors over those things which relate to heaven, or over ecclesiastical affairs, are called priests, and their office is called the priesthood." (New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, 314)

The Executive Bishop is chief governor and general pastor of the General Church.

As chief governor, he and other members of the priesthood serve the laity of the General Church by teaching the Lord's Truth and showing how that Truth leads to the good of life. He, and they, are responsible for governing the things of the Church: overseeing worship and instruction, and providing for order in its affairs. However, the Bishop and the priesthood do not govern the laity (who are responsible for the financial, fiscal and legal affairs of the Church), instead carrying out the government of the Church in partnership with the laity.

As the general pastor of the General Church, the Bishop visits societies, circles and groups on a regular basis, often meeting with their Joint Councils.

The Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline is currently the Executive Bishop of the General Church.

Tom has been a General Church pastor for 30 years. He began his work as assistant to the pastor of the Washington DC Society, for two years, as well as serving as a visiting pastor in the Southeastern District. He was called to the pastorate of the Atlanta Society, in 1975, and continued as the southeastern visiting pastor there. He moved to Bryn Athyn in 1981 to become assistant pastor, and was called to serve as pastor of the Bryn Athyn Society in 1996.

He was ordained in to the third degree of the priesthood on November 30, 2003, and took office on July 1, 2004.

The Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith is Assistant Bishop of the General Church, supporting Tom in his work of governing the Church.

Brian has served as a General Church priest for 27 years, in various capacities. He was pastor of the Sharon Church, Chicago, IL; The Immanuel Church in Glenview, IL; Bishop's Representative for the Midwest; dean of the Academy of the New Church Theological School; and principal of the Bryn Athyn Church School.

He was ordained into the third degree of the priesthood on October 17, 2004, and took office on July 1, 2005.

Brian can also be reached at the Bishop's Office.

How to contact the Bishop's Office