Female Bishops
UM Insight Screenshot
General Commission on Religion and Race
When asked to name trailblazers in faith leadership, most people’s lists would likely contain only the names of men. Despite their persistence and hard-won advances, women continue to face patriarchal, sexist, and misogynistic notions about who may answer God’s call to lead.
In honor of Women’s History Month and in recognition of female leaders in the Central Conferences of the United Methodist Church (UMC), the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is shining a spotlight on the work of three bishops—each of whom is helping to build a globally interconnected Beloved Community. These women remain faithful to their calling while dismantling stereotypes, empowering more women to seek leadership roles, and inspiring young women to envision themselves as future church leaders.
Bishop Rosemarie Wenner
Elected bishop of the German Central Conference in Wuppertal (2005), making her the first woman elected to the United Methodist episcopacy outside of the United States.
- Elected president of the Council of Bishops (COB) in 2012, serving a two-year term.
- Retired in 2017.
- Since September 2024, has served as the COB Co-Ecumenical Officer.
Shortly after being installed twenty years ago, Bishop Wenner was scheduled to speak at a gathering for women in Hamburg, Germany. The event theme, “Your Vision for the UMC in Germany,” inspired her to reference Luke 13:29: “Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God.”
“I explained why I would like to work for a more inclusive and diverse church, where, for example, people of other nations who came to Germany as workers, students, asylum seekers, or refugees would play an active role in the life of the UMC,” she said.
In every appointment and ministry, Bishop Wenner was the first—the first female pastor, the first female Central Conference bishop to become COB president, and more.
“I always met people for whom me doing what I had to do was a ‘no go,’” she explained.
Certain actions she took were accused of being “not biblical.” Instead of arguing with her detractors, Bishop Wenner simply explained her interpretation of certain Bible passages and how her beliefs reinforced that God “called me to do what I did.”
Many who were hesitant to accept her leadership found themselves caught up in their own biases and cultural boundaries—something Bishop Wenner said she could understand.
“In fact, I at times had difficulty following God’s call because I grew up in a culture where women were servants, not leaders,” she said.
One of the accomplishments she is most proud of is the 2017 election of her successor, Bishop Harald Rueckert, who was the first lay leader of a Ghanaian congregation to become a voting member of the Central Conference.
“We are still at a starting point regarding the representation of migrants and full inclusion of people of different nationalities, gender, skin color, and age, yet we made some progress to overcome a narrow-minded ‘we, the German Methodist family,’” she added.
Though now retired, Bishop Wenner encourages more women to “make themselves available to serve, although I recognize how difficult that is—because women still are the main caregivers in their families.”
“Although we United Methodists in Germany proudly speak of a great history, for instance, regarding the ordination of women, we are far away from equal participation in leadership roles. We must strategize and advocate for better conditions for female leaders.”
Equal representation matters, Bishop Wenner said, “because most of the (active) people in our congregations are women. Because our kids need role models of disciples—beyond male leaders. And most of all because we believe: ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.’”
Bishop Joaquina F. Nhanala
- Elected in 2008 as bishop of the Africa Central Conference Mozambique Episcopal Area, making her the first female United Methodist bishop on the African continent.
As she prepares for her planned retirement in March 2025, Bishop Nhanala reflected on a specific accomplishment that fills her with joy.
“I thank God for … a good number of women firsts,” she said.
She appointed the first female district superintendent (DS) in South Africa, the first female DS in the capital city of Mozambique (Maputo), as well as the city of Sofala, and the first connectional ministry director in Mozambique South and in South Africa. She also hired the first HR director for the Mozambique Episcopal area—a woman.
“We have been intentional about giving women opportunities to lead, and they have really grabbed them with two hands and are doing extremely well,” Bishop Nhanala said.
“As I came as a ‘first,’ I am glad that a number of firsts have (also) come up and are doing well, so that is the proof to the Church that the gifts are there.”
Bishop Nhanala urged the Church to continue trusting women in leadership roles and affording them space to lead.
She also acknowledged that leading in an environment affected by extreme poverty, unemployment, gender violence, and climate-related disasters presents challenges.
She has worked to dismantle harmful practices such as accusations of witchcraft against older women and child marriages, using scripture-based conversations to shift harmful cultural beliefs.
Another area of success for Bishop Nhanala during her tenure was directly addressing the issue of child marriages, done so through relationship-building with other UMC agencies at work in the same area. This collaboration led to young women in her episcopal area experiencing safer childbirth and deliveries, she said.
Her farewell addresses at annual conferences have been met with gratitude, with many—including some men—expressing their initial doubts about her leadership but later recognizing her effectiveness.
“For someone to say to you, out there, ‘Bishop: I am praying for you …’ that is so encouraging and meaningful, especially when it comes from other women.”
She sees her role as a source of inspiration for young women.
“Girls will come up to me and tell me: ‘I want to be like you, Bishop.’ This tells me that we are not just encouraging adults, but we are encouraging children as well.”
“I think it is time that we see the person, not just a man or a woman, but to really see the person and ask, ‘Does she have the gifts that we are looking for, for the Church to move on?’”
Her advice to other United Methodist women: “As women hear the call to serve, I hope that they will accept the calling, go for it … really trust God.”
Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella
- Elected bishop in 2022 of the Philippines Central Conference Manila Episcopal Area.
- Before being elected bishop, served as the treasurer of the Philippines Central Conference, the first clergy elected to that position.
- First woman district superintendent of the Philippines Annual Conference.
- First woman administrative pastor of Central United Methodist Church in Manila after 115 years of existence.
While visiting some of the remotest parts of the Manila Episcopal Area, to assess what church-owned properties might be developed to generate much-needed funds to support mission workers, Bishop Estrella learned that she was the first bishop ever to reach these places, one of three accomplishments she shared as being proud of achieving.
She experienced great joy assisting the development of some district and annual conference projects, such as: a well to provide proper irrigation to a vegetable farm; a water refilling station, the planting of high-breed corn, and improvements of churches and parsonages.
Also, under her leadership, the episcopal area of her Central Conference has launched a Discipleship Program as well as a Ministry Information System (i.e., a database for membership, church workers and other ministry-related records).
Despite these successes she’s been able to achieve since 2022, resistance for a woman bishop of the Philippines Central Conference remains quite strong, she admitted.
“I was elected … on the twentieth (20th) ballot. Bishop Rodel Acdal (Philippines Baguio Episcopal Area) was elected on the sixth (6th).”
Bishop Estrella confessed her surprise (in learning during the vote), “that there were even women who don’t believe in a woman as an episcopal leader. I almost gave up, but the greater majority of lay women, deaconesses, and clergywomen rallied behind me until I got elected.”
Her election took place during a tumultuous time when the UMC was grappling with church disaffiliations. She described the Manila Episcopal Area as the “epicenter” of the tumult.
While only 5 percent of her churches seceded, she was conducting forums and fostering conversations to “to clear and counter misinformation and lies” while also responding to civil court challenges filed against the conference.
“By God’s grace and wisdom, I was able to stand up to these challenges” she said. “I entrust everything to the Lord, and I always experience how God works in amazing ways.”
Most of the lay women leaders, clergywomen and deaconesses in the Philippines feel empowered to take the lead across the different levels of the church, she said.
“Unfortunately, inequities exist in terms of equal opportunities and benefits for clergywomen and deaconesses. But despite this, these women are always ready to serve and lead the church. We need to work together to make sure that women will always have a space at the table of leadership in the church.”
Erizelle Nievera-Linaban has followed Bishop Estrella’s church career as she advanced in leadership roles--from local church pastor, to district superintendent, to Philippine Central Conference Secretary, and eventually as Bishop. She attended the same local church, Tangos UMC (Navotas, Metro Manila), where the Bishop got her start volunteering to serve as church secretary. Nievera-Linaban’s uncle married Bishop Estrella’s younger sister, and through this connection, the two “treat each other as family,” she explained.
“We, my husband and I, my husband also grew up in the same local church, knew she was destined to be a bishop. We’ve always believed in her leadership capabilities,” Nievera-Linaban said.
Bishop Estrella would likely downplay her role “as a voice of change for women, but she undeniably was—and continues to be, in my view,” Nievera-Linaban said. “Reflecting on societal attitudes, I’ve come to realize, through my children’s insights, that Filipinos—including myself—often unknowingly perpetuate racism and sexism. Having her in a big leadership role in the church and doing very well at this turbulent time in the church, empowers women--not only pastors, but lay people as well.”
This article is republished with permission from the General Commission on Religion and Race website.