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Each of the 13 dioceses is administered by a bishop who is appointed by the King-in-Council (the cabinet acting in the King's name) on the recommendation of church officials. He sits in judgement over the clergy in matters of faith or doctrine and is authorized to issue directives regarding church activities. The bishop calls, usually every 6 years, and presides over meetings of the Council of Pastors, which is composed of all the pastors in his diocese and has the function of advising the bishop and the Cathedral Chapter. The bishop also chairs the Cathedral Chapter, which comprises the dean of the diocese cathedral, two theological professors in those dioceses containing universities, a pastor, a layman selected by the parishes, and a layman who is an authority on public education appointed by the King-in-Council. The principal function of the Cathedral Chapter is to advise the bishops on matters concerning the administration of the dioceses. Each diocesan deanery, a relatively minor church unity, is headed by a dean, who is appointed by the bishop and advises him on matters within his area.
The pastorate, an administrative unit consisting of one or more parishes, is headed by a pastor who, in addition to being he spiritual leader of the parishes in his area, is the principal administrative church official at the local level. He is an important figure in municipal, social, and civic life and often acts as leader in school activities. The pastor is selected through a complicated electoral system involving the parish assemblies, the Cathedral Chapter, and the King-in-Council.
The parish is the basic territorial unit of the church. Each parish has an assembly, comprising all citizens over 21 years of age who are members of the Church of Sweden. If the parish numbers 1,500 or fewer inhabitants, it is governed by an assembly; parishes with more than 1,500 are governed by a parish council, selected by the assembly and numbering 15 to 40 members, according to the number of inhabitants. Among the principal functions of the assembly or parish council are the handling of funds and the administration of church property. The parish assembly or council selects an executive committee of five to 11 members, charged with insuring that church laws are carried out, watching over the faith and church services, and settling disputes in the congregation. Figure 22 shows a church of the type frequently found in the smaller towns.
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FIGURE 22. Church of Leksands-Noret, dating from the Middle Ages (U/OU) (photo)
The Church of Sweden has created a number of lay organizations, special religious institutes, schools, and religious associations. Special emphasis is placed on voluntary church work and on educational, youth, and women's movements. The most important lay organization is the Board of Lay Workers of the Church of Sweden, which is chaired by the Archbishop and comprises six other members—three clergymen and three laymen—selected by the Church Assembly. It functions as both an administrative body and a training agency for voluntary lay work in the church, issuing literature and arranging courses of study in church work, directing scouting activities for children, and preserving church art. Two other important agencies are the Mission Board of the Church of Sweden, which directs all foreign mission work, and the Board for Seamen's Welfare of the Church of Sweden, which ministers to the religious needs of seamen and also supports religious activities among Swedish-speaking congregations abroad.
b. Doctrine and politics
The doctrine of the Church of Sweden is fixed by the Constitution of 1809, which states that the faith of the King is based on the Bible as interpreted by the
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