ACNA’s method of choosing Archbishops is deliberately hidden from public scrutiny, but bits and bobs of the truth still leak out because clergy love to talk about things just as much as anyone else does. Over time, we have learned how Bishop Ray Sutton was elected in 2014 before the College of Bishops had to redo it and settled on Foley Beach; see this post. Similarly, the 2024 Conclave has had a bit of light thrown on it.

Bishop Chris Warner summarized the rules for the 2024 election in an email:

June 20 // Bishops arrive for Conclave in Latrobe, PA. Bishops will begin with dinner on Thursday evening, June 20, and will continue meeting in Conclave on the 21 and 22 (days and evenings) taking breaks for meals and sleep until there is an election. Sunday, June 23, is reserved, if needed.

• As per the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA, the Archbishop will be elected by the College of Bishops from the active members of the College with jurisdiction to serve a five-year term.
• An Archbishop who has served one term of office may be elected for a second term but not a third.
• The election of the Archbishop shall take place in a consecrated Church. 
• The Holy Communion shall be celebrated as a part of the election process. 
• No persons shall be admitted to the electing meeting except members of The College and appropriate security and confidentiality shall be observed throughout the process.
• Discussion and prayer precede the voting process. 
• Those who vote are the diocesan bishops (including the Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces).
• The initial ballot of the Bishops shall serve as a nominating ballot. Only Bishops with Jurisdiction are eligible for nomination. 
• Once there is a list of nominees, discussion, prayer, and voting continue until the next Archbishop is elected. 
• ⅔ vote is required for the election of the new Archbishop.
• Upon the election of the Archbishop, the Bishops in attendance shall sign a written certification which shall be a permanent record of the College. 

So what do we know about what happened in the crypt? Various reports mentioned that there were several rounds of voting with at least three candidates, almost certainly meaning Wood and Dobbs were two of the three. The Stand Firm podcast said that geographical dioceses were a major issue in the Conclave.

On October 2, 2025 an anonymous post on Virtue Online claimed:

In the most recent conclave to determine the next Archbishop of the ACNA, Bishop Jones prevented a bishop known to have embezzled over forty thousand dollars from likely being elected Archbishop of the ACNA, a situation that he and five other bishop had discovered years ago and dealt with quietly under the direction of Archbishop Beach to avoid damaging church scandal while simultaneously ensuring proper restitution was made.

From Bishop Jones now infamous “all hands” video, we know that this refers to Bishop Julian Dobbs. Given that Bishop Dobbs was widely touted by online conservatives in ACNA, who were publicly upset by the election of Archbishop Wood, this adds up. For example, Fr. Calvin Robinson said: “I understand they came very close to selecting a very sound bishop.” This indicates that Dobbs might have been elected had Bishop Jones not thrown a spanner in the works.

In a court filing in late 2025, Bishop Derek Jones and JAFC claimed:

In June 2024, when Wood was a candidate for election as Archbishop of ACNA, he made promises to Bishop Jones, Bishop Michael Williams, and Bishop Mark Nordstrom (collectively, the “Bishops”) that he would help resolve matters that adversely affected the business relationship between JAFC and ACNA and which prevented JAFC from being part of ACNA. These reassurances secured the Bishops’ support for Wood’s election as Archbishop.

Further, during the June 2024 conclave of bishops to elect a new Archbishop of ACNA, Bishop Jones prevented Dobbs from being considered by making it clear that he would expose the financial indiscretions Dobbs committed against the JAFC in 2019. Dobbs withdrew from consideration.

In October 2024, Wood reneged on his commitment to helping to resolve JAFC’s issues in its relationship with ACNA. Instead, he threatened to remove Bishop Jones from his position as Bishop of JAFC by any available means.

This account of Woods canvassing for the role does not make clear if it occurred before the conclave or during the process. The claims by Bishop Jones are also vigorously disputed by others, including Anglican Diocese of the Living Word priest Matt Kennedy, who said, “It is not my place to provide the reasons Bishop Dobbs made the decision he made. I can say and do know it was nothing nefarious and certainly not because of that lie that the entire college at the time knew and knows to be a lie.” (link)

On Facebook, Bishop Quigg Lawrence said that it was “…a rigorous, thoughtful, holy, and prayer soaked election.” And he said of the choice of Archbishop Wood, “It was not made quickly or carelessly but with extraordinary prayer and thoughtfulness.”

Responses

In response to the election of Bishop Wood, Julian Dobbs wrote: “I have had the immense privilege to serve beside Archbishop-elect Wood for many years and know him to be a faithful man of God, a passionate defender and proclaimer of the Gospel of our Lord, and an effective and caring pastor and leader. It is my firm conviction that the Lord will continue to cause the ACNA to grow and flourish underneath Archbishop Wood’s leadership as our next Primate.”

Bishop Stewart Ruch wrote: “(Wood)…is an incredible leader, huge heart for mission and the lost, and church planting, keen theological mind. I’m excited about this election, excited to serve with Archbishop Elect and serve under his Provincial leadership.”

Bishop Clark Lowenfeld who was possibly a candidate wrote: “For weeks now, I have sensed our Lord’s Holy Spirit saying…
If I call you to be Archbishop, there is no greater joy than answering and living in a call from me.
If you are not called, there is no greater joy than to experience and have my mercy on you.
Without a doubt, personally, I feel His mercy and am thankful.”

Phil Ashey noted with enthusiasm Wood’s charismatic leanings: “For those of you who are involved in charismatic renewal and Holy Spirit ministry, Steve, Bishop Steve, is a protege of Chuck Irish, and so he has a deep, deep conviction of the need for our church to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (youtube) (Report from ACNA Provincial Council 2024)

Bishop Alex Famer stated: ““I can testify to the Holy Spirit’s work in the election of Steve Wood,” said Bishop Alex Farmer. “It was unexpected but clear. Steve is a gifted leader who will move us forward in mission. He is also the unifying bishop we need for the continued work God is calling the Anglican Church in North America to be about in this next season.” (Gulf Atlantic Diocese Communique June 2024).