Site
Contents
 |
Imagine Indiana Transition Team Information
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Area United Methodist
Foundation
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
|
Hoosier United Methodists together |
September 2004 |
Welcome from the editor:
So who's a bishop? What can we expect?
The United Methodist Book of Discipline defines Bishops as "elders in full connection (ordained ministers) who are elected from the elders and set apart for a ministry of general oversight and supervision. As followers of Jesus Christ called to servant leadership, bishops are authorized to guard the faith, order, liturgy, doctrine and discipline of the Church; to seek and be a sign of the unity of the faith; to exercise the discipline of the whole Church; to supervise and support the Church's life, work, and mission throughout the world; 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 carry a primary responsibility to support and encourage the ministry of all Christians. They share with other bishops in the supervision of the whole Church, encouraging and supporting all baptized people in the exercising of their gifts and ministries, praying for them, and proclaiming and interpreting to them the gospel of Christ. Bishops are to be prophetic voices and courageous leaders in the cause of justice for all people. Bishops are also authorized to appoint ordained clergy to their responsibilities, consecrate, ordain, and commission persons in ministry to the Church and world" (paragraph 404.1).
John Wesley, the founder of the United Methodist expression of Christianity, preferred the words "general superintendent" rather than bishop. Therefore, United Methodist bishops are not ordained to a higher order of ministry, but consecrated or set apart for an office of ministry.
In Greek the word for bishop is episcopos, the origin of the words "episcopal" and "episcopacy" in English. That's why we use the terms Episcopal Area and talk about our episcopal leader.
One thing I notice in the United Methodist definition for bishop - the verbs. I highlighted them in boldface in the definition. Read the verbs again. The verbs begin to describe not only who a bishop is but what a bishop does. In popular culture, a bishop would be called a pace setter who lives out the life of a United Methodist Christian as a model for others. Notice we don't call bishop's Chief Executive Officers.
Another definition I have heard used is that a bishop is a pastor to the pastors. I also see bishops as pastors to the laity as well.
Some expect a bishop to be a champion of the people, dressed in a red and blue cape with a big "B" printed his or her chest - truly a fantasy.
After 20 years of working with four bishops and reporting about bishops and editing their columns, I have noticed that each bishop is different; each follows a schedule determined by others as well as himself; and each is a human being set apart for tasks too numerous to mention. When a bishop is right he or she is very right. And when a bishop makes a mistake, that mistake seems to be amplified more than it would be with other leaders.
I believe we all expect bishops to be more than they can possibly be and forget that they are sinners saved by God's grace just as we all are. They bleed; they are emotionally moved; they have loved ones who care for them; they are made public.
Now we welcome another bishop to our realm in the name of Michael Coyner, a native Hoosier from Anderson, a home boy. One who has grown in our midst. Our familiarity with him may limit him, but I hope not. For the Church of Jesus Christ has appointed him to lead us, to set the pace for ministry and mission in Indiana and to be with us as our spiritual guide. His strength will be dependent on our strength. His faithfulness will be dependent upon our faithfulness. His success or failure as a bishop will be dependent upon our success or failure as his followers and ultimately followers of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Coyner can be no more, nor less than who he is - a servant leader set apart for a special task. We welcome him. We support him. We pray for him and his family. And, we will learn to love and appreciate him as he leads us in the name of our risen Lord. Welcome, Bishop Coyner.
Daniel R. Gangler
Last updated on 08/24/2004