Jurisdictional Conferences 2004 Updates

UMNS Episcopal Candidates' Bios (now has been updated to include links for all nominees)

North Central Jurisdiction
July 14-17, 2004, Davenport, Iowa

·     Donald Avery, pastor of St. Johns United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge, La.  Endorsed by the Louisiana delegation to the jurisdictional conference.

·       Charles N. Crutchfield, pastor of Central United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, N.M. Endorsed by the New Mexico delegation to the jurisdictional conference.

• Dr. Charles Crutchfield, Senior Pastor
• Central United Methodist Church Web Site

·        Young-Ho Chun, professor of systematic theology at Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, Mo. Endorsed by the Kansas East and Kansas West delegations to jurisdictional conference.

• Kansas East and West endorse world-class theologian for episcopacy
• Chun would do in four years what many don’t in 12, colleagues say

·        Roberto Gomez, pastor of El Mesias United Methodist Church, Mission, Texas.    Endorsed by the Rio Grande delegation to jurisdictional conference and Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans (MARCHA).

·        Robert Hayes, treasurer of the Texas Annual Conference. Endorsed by the Texas Conference delegation to jurisdictional conference.

·       Scott J. Jones, associate professor for evangelism and director, Center for the Advanced Study and Practice of Evangelism, Perkins School of Theology. Endorsed by the North Texas Conference delegation to jurisdictional conference.

• United Methodist Doctrine: The Extreme Center

·        Michele Sue Shumake-Keller, Heartland South District superintendent, Missouri Annual Conference. Endorsed by the Missouri delegation to jurisdictional conference, the St. Louis Chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal and the Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church.

·        Marie Palmer Williams, Monroe District superintendent of the Louisiana Annual Conference. Endorsed by the Women’s Leadership Team in the South Central Jurisdiction.

·        J. Michael Lowry, pastor of University United Methodist Church, San Antonio. Endorsed by the Southwest Texas Conference delegation to the jurisdictional conference.

• EPISCOPAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS South Central Jurisdiction

           "...We have for too long confused tolerance and diversity with confusion and indifference.  I believe we must recover what I choose to call "core orthodoxy."  Holy Scripture must serve as our primary source and norm in lively conversation with the other three elements of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.  We must reject both rigid fundamentalism and liberalism that negates appropriate doctrinal boundaries.  On one occasion, I listened to someone who should have known better describe Methodism as offering the ability to "believe whatever you want."  Such is not the case.  Our way out of this morass is not enforcement, witch-hunting or heresy trials.  In the Believers theology material, Dr. Justo Gonzales speaks of understanding what is inside the foul lines and what is outside the foul lines.  This is an apt description of the issues before us.  As episcopal leader, I would seek to use the teaching office to raise the level of theological discourse.  Together we must openly engage in a wide variety of conversations that respect differences and do not seek to demonize those with whom we may disagree.  I have had good working relationships with Associate Pastors from across the theological spectrum.  There is a great deal of room between the foul lines but there are foul lines.  A creative mixture of views and healthy discussion are not to be feared.  God is with us.

            On the more specific presenting issue of homosexuality, I believe the current Discipline is correct.  We must always be engaged in loving and caring ministry.  We must not be afraid to delineate appropriate boundaries.  Bishops are covenantally bound to uphold the Discipline of the United Methodist Church...."

• Mike Lowry Biography

• Delegation backs 2 pastors for bishop

·        Robert C. Schnase, pastor of First United Methodist Church, McAllen, Texas. Endorsed by the Southwest Texas Conference delegation to the jurisdictional conference.

• Delegation backs 2 pastors for bishop
• What is Good and  What is Bad About General Conference

·        Gail Ford Smith, pastor of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, Katy, Texas.  Endorsed by the Women’s Leadership Team in the South Central Jurisdiction.

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UMC Resources on Jurisdictional Conferences

• North Central - Davenport, Iowa
• Northeastern - Syracuse, New York
• South Central - Corpus Christi, Texas
• Southeastern - Lake Junaluska, North Carolina
• Western - San Jose, California

Jurisdictional conferences to elect 20 bishops

05/26/04... United Methodists from across the country attending their quadrennial jurisdictional conferences in July will elect 20 new bishops to episcopal leadership posts, signaling one of the largest turnovers in spiritual and administrative oversight within recent memory. Continued »