Church Leadership

Bishops
The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, an international United Methodist leadership body, gathers in front of the entrance to a medieval castle in Braunfels, Germany. During a meeting in Braunfels, the group discussed the challenges facing its proposed Africa Comprehensive Plan, which would add five more bishops to the continent. Photo by Klaus Ulrich Ruof, Germany Central Conference.

Plan to add 5 African bishops faces challenges

An international United Methodist group has long been working to increase the number of bishops on the African continent but learned of financial and other difficulties now facing the plan.
Church Leadership
The Rev. Joel Mora Peña had a unique ministry trajectory, serving as a bishop in the Methodist Church of Mexico, then as a pastor in the Rio Grande Conference of The United Methodist Church. He died Jan. 3, at age 88. Photo courtesy of Meliza Gómez.

Mexican bishop became pastor in the US

The Rev. Joel Mora Peña served as an episcopal leader in the Methodist Church of Mexico before immigrating to the U.S. and leading United Methodist churches as a pastor in the Rio Grande Conference. He died Jan. 3 at age 88.
Faith Stories
United Methodist News honors notable church leaders and members who died over the past 12 months. Original image by S. Hermann / F. Richter, courtesy of Pixabay.

2022: Noteworthy United Methodists remembered

Over the past 12 months, United Methodists have marked the passing of a storied NFL coach, the denomination’s first Asian American bishop and a pastor named Bible.
Bishops
Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, at left, and Bonnie Marden, chair of the Northeastern Jurisdiction episcopacy committee, offer an overview of recommendations for how many bishops the jurisdiction should elect. The jurisdiction's bishops recommended no elections and the episcopacy committee recommended one. Ultimately, the delegates voted to elect two when the jurisdictional conference meets Nov. 2-5. Screengrab courtesy of the Greater New Jersey Conference via YouTube by UM News.

Jurisdictions advised to elect 14 US bishops

Faced with denominational uncertainties, jurisdictional leaders are recommending United Methodists elect fewer U.S. bishops than there will be vacancies. But after a special session of the Northeastern Jurisdiction, all five U.S. jurisdictions expect to hold episcopal elections in November.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION
Loading