Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe

Reinstated Bishop's Next Move Unknown

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:46:15 GMT

Returned to active status by the Judicial Council, Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe's future remains uncertain at this time despite several possibilities.

What We've Learned from the Bledsoe Case

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:43:21 GMT

The ramifications of the Judicial Council ruling returning Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe to active status go far beyond a singular personnel action in one U.S. church jurisdiction.

BULLETIN: Judicial Council Reinstates Bishop Bledsoe

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 20:53:41 GMT

In unprecedented decisions, the United Methodist Judicial Council has reinstated Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe to active status after he was involuntarily retired in July by vote of the South Central Jurisdiction.

UMC High Court Rules Involuntary Retirement Constitutional

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:35:52 GMT

A bishop can be forced to retire early, rules the Judicial Council, holding implications for the appeal of former North Texas bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, which will come before the council at a special called meeting Nov. 9-10.

UMC High Court Has Full Docket

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:11:10 GMT

The United Methodist Judicial Council this week considers a full docket of issues, including guaranteed appointment for ordained elders and the involuntary retirement of Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe by the South Central Jurisdiction.

Bledsoe Appeals His Removal as Bishop

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:17:00 GMT

Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe has challenged the constitutionality of the Book of Discipline rule used to force his retirement by the South Central Jurisdiction. The Judicial Council will review his appeal.

Bledsoe to Appeal Involuntary Retirement

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:17:51 GMT

Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe announced July 25 that he would appeal to the Judicial Council, the United Methodist Church's "supreme Court," the decision of the South Central Jurisdiction to retire him involuntarily.

North Texas Leaders Launch Effort to Rebuild Trust

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:11:17 GMT

A small group of leaders in the North Texas Annual Conference is seeking to rebuild trust following the personnel process that resulted in Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe's involuntary retirement

May We Never See Another Day Like It

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:14:34 GMT

The Rev. Rebekah Miles ponders the Discipline, accountability, race and repentance in the process that has brought the involuntary retirement of Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe.

Bledsoe Faulted for Trust Issues in Personnel Decision

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 09:49:00 GMT

"Questions of integrity and trustworthiness" are the paramount reasons that the South Central Jurisdiction Episcopacy Committee has voted to retire Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe involuntarily.

Editorial Analysis: Pitfalls of the UMC Personnel Process

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:32:43 GMT

The unprecedented vote to oust Dallas Area Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe has exposed the pitfalls of The United Methodist Church's personnel process.

Involuntary Retirement Voted for Bishop Bledsoe

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 23:12:37 GMT

In a late-night decision reported by United Methodist News Service, the South Central Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy has voted 24 to 4, with 2 abstentions, to place Dallas Area Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe on involuntary retirement.

What Goes on a Bishop's Report Card

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:50:56 GMT

Heather Hahn explores how United Methodist bishops are now being formally evaluated on their performance as the church's spiritual and temporal leaders.

Advocate says Bledsoe hearing ‘heading in right direction’

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:33:59 GMT

The Rev. Zan Holmes, who served as clergy advocate for Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe during his hearing before the South Central Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee, says he thinks the hearing is "headed in the right direction."