United Methodist bishops urged to do soul check


United Methodist leaders discuss a report from the Call to Action steering committee during a meeting of the denomination's Council of Bishops.
A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Nov. 2, 2009 | LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS)

Soul matters.

As the United Methodist Council of Bishops gathered for their fall meeting, church officials were reminded to pay attention to the "soulful" qualities of Christian leadership.

"Never forget we traffic in hope," Bishop Gregory Palmer said in his presidential address. "Our mission doesn't depend completely on us. God is relentless in God's purpose."


Bishop Gregory Palmer
A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose.

The church is facing serious challenges and is "awash in truth and reality checks." But that's not the whole message, he said.

"We have told it like it is so well we have become a fearful people. We have sent messages that there isn't enough of this or that. But that is only a part of our job. The other part is to say we have everything we need if only we have the eyes to see it."

During the Nov. 1-5 meeting, the bishops will be in conversation around "preparing principled Christian leaders," one of the four areas of focus adopted by the 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body.

Palmer reminded the bishops that a leader does not need to be at the podium.

"In our quest to grow the church, may we not lose our courage and our voice to stand even if it is unpopular. The greatest courage will be to have honest conversations in this council. We seem to walk right up to and then lose our heart."

Call to Action report

In other action, the Call to Action steering committee created by the council in May to look at the future of the church is recommending a churchwide assessment that would include examining general agencies, annual conferences and the Council of Bishops itself.

"The United Methodist Church is a complex organization," said Bishop Larry Goodpaster, project director. "It is hard to get a handle on what happens or how you get anything moving. It's hard to be a movement when we have become an institution."

We invite you to join the dialogue. Share your comments.

Post a comment

The committee recommended hiring an independent contractor for the next phase of the process. The outside group would be under the direction of a new 12-member steering committee to be led by Palmer.

The contractor would gather feedback from a large range of United Methodists, perhaps in an online survey, Goodpaster said.

The Council of Bishops is scheduled to act on the committee's recommendation Nov. 4.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].

Related Articles

Bishop Palmer offers vision for areas of focus

Bishops launch Rethink Church with worker outreach

Bishops roll back wages in sign of sacrifice

Redeploy church resources, financial officers say

Lawmakers praise church as civil voice on poverty

Resources

The Connectional Table

Council of Bishops

Comments will be moderated. Please see our Comment Policy for more information.
Comment Policy

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
General Church
The Kenya Prison Service band leads procession at the start of the Africa Methodist Council’s heads of Methodist conferences summit on May 14 in Nairobi, Kenya. Wesleyan episcopal leaders had the opportunity to discuss regionalization of The United Methodist Church and its impact on all Methodist denominations as well as migration and other issues affecting the church. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Methodism emerges stronger in Africa

A United Methodist bishop and other church leaders met to chart a way forward for Methodism in Africa. Regionalization was a big topic of conversation.
Faith Stories
The Rev. Dr. Richard Huskey died one day after being ordained an elder in full connection in The United Methodist Church. He is pictured at left upon his seminary graduation in 1974. At center, Huskey attends a 1977 rally to support an ordinance that banned discrimination in employment and housing in St. Paul, Minn. He had selected the photo to represent his time in ministry. At right is Huskey in 2014. Photos are courtesy of Huskey; the 2014 photo is via the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network.

LGBTQ activist ordained on deathbed

In an emotional finish worthy of Hollywood, the Rev. Dr. Rick Huskey was ordained on his deathbed after waiting since the 1970s for The United Methodist Church to allow the ordination of openly gay people.
Immigration
A National Guardsman stands watch at a June 10 prayer vigil organized by the United Methodist-founded Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice in downtown Los Angeles. The participants placed in front of him a poster in Spanish calling for peace, love and equality and asking for support. United Methodists across the Los Angeles area are working to stand up for immigrant rights while trying to de-escalate a tense situation as the Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops and Marines to quell protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Photo courtesy of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice.

Working for immigrant rights and peace in LA

United Methodists in the Los Angeles area are advocating for immigrants while trying to de-escalate a tense situation after President Trump’s deployment of troops to quell anti-ICE protests.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved