Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Frank Beard elected bishop by North Central Jurisdiction

The Rev. Frank Beard, pastor of Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, has been elected as a United Methodist bishop by delegates at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference.

Beard was elected July 13 at the jurisdiction’s quadrennial meeting in Peoria, Illinois. On the sixth ballot, he received 109 votes, one more than the 108 needed for election.

Beard told delegates that in 1968, he was a “snotty-nosed” kid playing around a United Methodist church when its members invited him for cookies and Kool-Aid — and then provided a scholarship so he could attend United Methodist Church camp.

“That little Methodist Church took me under their wing,” he said. “In 1968, it wasn’t popular for white churches to invite little black boys to be part of their congregation.” Beard said that church blessed him and God called him to the glorious task of preaching the good news.

Beard was the second bishop elected by the delegates, an equal number of United Methodist clergy and laity, from the nine states that form the North Central Jurisdiction. The assignments of bishops for the next four years will be announced later in the week. His four-year term of service begins Sept. 1.

Beard has served Castleton United Methodist since 2012. He was previously superintendent of the Kokomo District 2004-2012. He has been vice chair of the General Commission on General Conference since 2004 and a member of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry since 2012. He is a five-time General Conference delegate and a six-time Jurisdictional Conference delegate. He is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  

A consecration service for the four new bishops will be held July 16. The ceremony can be watched live at the North Central Jurisdiction’s website.

Within the United States, local United Methodist churches are organized into increasingly larger groups: numerous districts, dozens of annual conferences and five jurisdictions (regions). Nine active bishops now lead the 11 annual conferences that form the North Central Jurisdiction.

A United Methodist bishop is elected for life. Typically, a bishop will serve in a specific annual conference for eight years. The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, directs each bishop to “guard the faith, order, liturgy, doctrine, and discipline of the Church” and to “lead all persons entrusted to their oversight in worship, in the celebration of the sacraments, and in their mission of witness and service in the world.” Bishops also are to be “prophetic voices and courageous leaders in the cause of justice for all people.”

The states represented in this jurisdiction are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Butler is a multimedia producer/editor for United Methodist Communications. Christa Meland of the Minnesota Conference contributed to this story. 


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Judicial Council
Council of President Tracy S. Malone (center), who also leads the Indiana Conference, addresses her fellow bishops and those watching on livestream on May 2, final day of the Council of Bishops 2025 spring meeting in Chicago. The bishops released a statement late that day trying to ease concerns about a Judicial Council ruling on same-sex weddings. Sitting beside Malone, from left, are Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., president-designate, and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, secretary. Holston leads the Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama conferences. Photo by Rick Wolcott, Council of Bishops.

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling

United Methodist bishops seek to ease concerns after the denomination’s top court ruled that trustees cannot bar a pastor from officiating at same-sex weddings within church walls.
General Church
The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table have collaborated in developing a new vision statement for the denomination: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. Earth image by NASA Space Observatory; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Bishops unveil vision for United Methodist Church

United Methodist bishops — in collaboration with the Connectional Table — have adopted a vision that says United Methodists “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.”
General Church
In her presidential address, Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone outlines the challenges facing United Methodists — including the need to rebuild after church disaffiliations and take on the rise of cruelty and erosion of human rights. Malone, who also leads the Indiana Conference, was speaking to bishops meeting in Chicago this week. Photo by Paul Gómez, United Methodist Communications.

Bishops urged to confront rising cruelty

As The United Methodist Church rebuilds, Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone challenged her fellow bishops to address inhumanity and act with the compassion of Christ.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved