Church and Society | March 9, 2026
Washington D.C. – The Board of Directors for the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of the United Methodist Church today announced that General Secretary Bishop Julius C. Trimble is transitioning to Interim General Secretary. Bishop Trimble’s intent to retire as General Secretary is linked to the mandatory age limit requirement for ordained ministers and agency general secretaries of The United Methodist Church (UMC).
Bishop Julius C. Trimble
Courtesy Photo
After serving for almost two years as The GBCS General Secretary, Bishop Trimble will transition to “Interim” General Secretary effective June 18, 2026, and will serve through the quadrennium with no change in his role or responsibilities. Under the GBCS bylaws and the UMC Book of Discipline, the Board will proceed with a formal search for a successor over the months ahead.
“As chief executive of The General Board of Church and Society, Bishop Trimble has provided outstanding leadership overseeing the GBCS vision, mobilizing a gifted staff and inspiring the Board,” said Reverend Allison Mark, Church and Society Board President. “In a relatively short time, he has led, expanded and improved the impact of UMC and our Social Principles all over the world. We are blessed to have him carry on as the Interim General Secretary continuing to center our priorities for matters of justice and peace.”
Bishop Julius C. Trimble was elected and consecrated a bishop by the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church in 2008. Following his episcopacy election, he served eight years as the resident bishop of the Iowa Conference. In 2016, he served eight more years as the resident bishop of the Indiana Episcopal Area/Indiana Annual Conference.
Before being elected to the Episcopacy, Bishop Trimble, was ordained a deacon and elder in the Northern Illinois Conference. He served two churches in his home conference before receiving an appointment and transferring his membership to the East Ohio Conference. During his ministry in East Ohio, Trimble served churches in the Cleveland area and as the Superintendent of the Cleveland District.
“Being a United Methodist all my life, I truly am in the right place at the right time, encouraged to strive for a faithful public witness of justice and peace for our beloved UMC community, committed to strengthen ecumenical and interfaith relationships, and dedicated to nurture our denomination as it moves toward greater justice and fuller inclusion in the church and the world,” said Bishop Julius C. Trimble, General Secretary, The Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church.
About the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS)
The General Board of Church and Society is the social justice and public witness agency of The United Methodist Church. GBCS equips people of faith to live out the Church’s Social Principles and engage in faithful advocacy for peace and social justice.