United Methodist bishops
The Christmas Conference: 10 Days That Started a Church
After Church of England priests left America because of the Revolutionary War, John Wesley sent Thomas Coke to the new country to ordain Francis Asbury and help found a church that could ordain clergy. Read more
United Methodist Bishops Condemn Charlottesville Violence
Several United Methodist bishops issued letters to their clergy and congregations urging them to take strong stands against racism and white supremacy on the Sunday after violence in Charlottesville, Va. Read more
African United Methodist Bishops Issue Statement
The United Methodist bishops in Africa have issued a statement on challenges facing the global denomination including terrorism and human sexuality. Read more
Perverting Religious Freedom: Hiding Hatred Behind Religion
His own painful experience with the misuse of "religious freedom" spurs the Rev. Dr. William E. Alberts to warn vigorously against similar legislation being proposed and adopted in various states. Read more
Dear Bishops: Get Real!
Once again, United Methodist bishops engage in an adventure in missing the point regarding how to invite young people into the church and encourage them into leadership, writes Cynthia B. Astle. Read more
Editorial Analysis: Pitfalls of the UMC Personnel Process
The unprecedented vote to oust Dallas Area Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe has exposed the pitfalls of The United Methodist Church's personnel process. Read more
Jurisdictionals: Fear. Trembling and Leadership
The Rev. Tim McClendon ponders the possibilities of Jurisdictional Conference as he prepares to go through the episcopal election process. Read more
Jul 6, 2012 3:08 PM Tim McClendon Tim McClendon
July Conferences to Elect 11 U.S. Bishops
The United Methodist Church is poised to elect 11 new bishops during concurrent jurisdictional conferences planned July 18-21 in various locations. Read more
Candidates for Bishop
Here are the candidates for bishop in U.S. jurisdictions. Read more
General Conference Reflections: Fear and Distrust
Between the 2012 General Conference and his own momentous annual conference session, young adult leader Ricky Harrison of North Texas pondered the need for less fear and more trust across the UMC. Read more
Jun 6, 2012 3:07 PM Ricky Harrison Ricky Harrison
What Do United Methodists Want from Their Bishops?
Coming elections of bishops in U.S. jurisdictions offer an opportunity to survey the tattered state of trust in United Methodist leadership, and the qualities that grassroots clergy and laity would like to see in their new episcopal leaders. Read more
I Love Our Bishops
The Rev. Jay Voorhees talks about problems at the heart of the mistrust between United Methodist bishops and clergy. Read more
May 23, 2012 8:20 AM Jay Voorhees Jay Voorhees
Stop the Blame Game
The Rev. Christy Thomas contends that just because bishops have special duties, they shouldn't be absolved of their responsibility for the membership decline of The United Methodist Church in the United States. Read more
Nebraska Delegates Release Statements on Change, Diversity
Delegates to the 2012 General Conference from the Nebraska Annual Conference decline to endorse any one proposal for change, but commit themselves to seeking God's will for The United Methodist Church. Read more