Episcopacy Committee Thoughts

The Episcopacy Committee at General Conference 2024 spent 20 hours over two days along with many hours on Zoom beforehand to debate and discuss the petitions before us. After all was said and done, a spirit of unity bound us as we closed our meeting on Sunday evening holding hands in prayer and praise.

“After all was said and done, a spirit of unity bound us as we closed our meeting on Sunday evening holding hands in prayer and praise.“

The primary focus of our discussion concerned which plan for the episcopacy to put forward… The General Episcopacy Plan (GEP) or the Hybrid Plan. After our two subcommittees discussed and perfected these plans, it was decided to pursue the General Episcopacy Plan. The committee undertook [this plan] to further perfect the work of the subcommittee (which I was on). Here are the highlights to understand:

1. The General Episcopacy Plan has been heavily amended to incorporate items of value from the Hybrid Plan and the committee members.
2. I put forth an amendment in Resolution 114 which removed all previously selected nominees for the episcopacy and returned that authority to the delegates at General Conference 2024. In short, each delegation may put forward 1 nominee from their annual conference who is present and our Nigerian brother present (who was nominated by his delegation) may stand as a nominee though his delegation could not attend due to visa issues. These nominees will be voted on, and the top 9 vote getters will comprise the slate of nominees. More details will come once this is presented to the Plenary on Tuesday.
3. The Bishops will have more focus on preaching, teaching, defending the faith, and ordination, and the Conference Superintendents will exercise temporal authority in their Annual Conference.
4. We are recommending election of part-time interim Bishops in 2024. Half of them may seek one 6-year term in 2026 if they receive a 75% vote of the General Conference to be placed on the ballot.
5. Steps for electing bishops in 2026 are laid out in petition 29… Details to come.

This all still needs to be put forth to the Plenary, but it represents the highlights of what we did. There were some who were unwilling to think globally and demanded that approaching the episcopal elections as stated was changing the rules mid game.

Jay Therrell offered no minority report and worked to perfect the General Episcopacy Plan adding his wisdom to craft a harmonious plan which we could unite behind. This was an incredible movement of the Spirit.

This has been a learning and growing experience. There still remains the question of if the body will move to not elect Bishops this General Conference year. I believe that whatever happens, God will be glorified in our unity.

Ben Bowman is a Lay Delegate of the MidSouth Conference Serving on the Episcopacy & Superintendency Committee. Ben is also the Chair of the Nominations Committee for the MidSouth.

Ready to learn more?

Whether you’re confused or interested… We’ve got you covered.

• What does the word Plenary mean? That is a good question because we Methodists use this word a lot! Check out the definition HERE.
• What does the word Episcopacy mean? Another good one to ask. Believe us, when we all started seminary, we had to look these words up, too. Check out the definition HERE.
• Ben is a part of the Episcopacy & Superintendency Legislative Committee… So, what are they working on at General Conference? See a full list of each of the 7 legislative committees meeting this week and what their responsibilities are HERE.
• Want to go a little deeper on the topic and what has led us to our current point of considerations for the election of Bishops? Check out these 4 articles… Proposed Process Offered for Nominating and Electing Interim Bishops, Understanding the Process: Nominees for Two-Year Bishop Positions and Next Steps, Transitional Leadership Council Nominates Nine Persons for the Office of Two-Year Bishop if Proposed Episcopacy Legislation is Adopted, Global Methodist Church Announces Additional Names Submitted for Possible Nomination for the Office of Bishop
• Wondering what your MidSouth Delegates think about all this? Check out the Webinar Q&A we hosted HERE. They had great conversation concerning this topic!
• Want to read more about the petitions? Check out that guide HERE with links to keep reading.