The future of the position appeared uncertain last year, after it became clear there was insufficient funding for it to continue.
In July, the church called on parishioners to make a weekly contribution to keep a bishop in the city.
But this week Archbishop’s Commissary Bishop Jim White released a letter noting an electoral college, the process by which the church would choose a new bishop, would be held this year.
He said the model for the role, however, had emerged as one of "bishop/teacher/educator" for which there was "requisite approvals and funding".
Vicar-general Alec Clark, of Dunedin, said the shortfall for the bishop’s role was about $50,000.
To deal with that, the church had sourced funding from the St John’s College Trust Board.
The trust was established in 1859 by Bishop George Selwyn, originally to fund a theological college in Auckland. It had subsequently cleared funds to be used for wider purposes. However, the funding had to be used for theological or Christian education, which was behind the planned changes to the bishop’s role.
Rev Canon Clark said while it was good news the city would continue to have a bishop, there were decisions to be made.
"It is a way forward to help us to face the changes that we are going to have to make."
It did not mean the church could "rest on our laurels and carry on"; rather it allowed it to begin the work of planning for the future and asking "what is God saying to us?".
He said the Dunedin diocese had been discussing how to proceed.
If the money was used to supplement the bishop’s income, the next bishop would need to take on both the bishop’s role and undertake Christian education.
That was part of a bishop’s role anyway, "and that’s why we feel, whilst it’s not perfect, it is absolutely the best fit we’ve been able to come up with".
Under the electoral college, members of the synod came together to consider "the names of people whom they believe God might be calling" to be the next bishop.
The name was then proposed to the national church body, after which bishops and members of the general, or national synod, approved the candidate, or otherwise.
There would be a gap after Dr Wright retired, and before a new bishop began.
During that time a vicar-general would deal with day-to-day issues, and the Rt Rev White, of Auckland would assist, and step in if a bishop was required.
