Episcopal Change of Mind

Photo by Gabriel Goncalves on Unsplash

In a recent episode of The David Donnan Podcast I shared with Rev. Allen Cason how I had changed my mind about the episcopal leadership structure in the Global Methodist Church. My general position was outlined in a Firebrand article in November of 2023 in which I favored local residential bishops in each annual conference, rather than a smaller number of general superintendents over the church.

At the invitation of long-time listener of The David Donnan Podcast, David Watson, I have decided to share my journey. I have moved from favoring a larger number of residential bishops to believing fewer general superintendents is the best path forward for our convening general conference, which will meet this September in San Jose, Costa Rica.

So what happened? Did I converse with a burning bush? Was it that I inadvertently put some people in an awkward spot with my previous article? Was it because I changed my mind about the benefits of having a bishop know most of his or her clergy by name?

There are four thoughts I want to share with you. First, I experienced nearly two years of seamless leadership with the general superintendent model. This September will be two years for my church and me in the Global Methodist Church. We have had a part-time president-pro-tem, the Rev. Jay Hanson, offer excellent leadership while serving a local church. This model has proven to be a faithful, effective, and efficient way to lead the South Georgia Annual Conference. 

Another part of this experience was seeing how Bishop Scott Jones and Bishop Mark Webb have shared responsibilities smoothly. In February, Bishop Webb filled in for Bishop Jones during our called annual conference to elect our delegation. It was a beautiful day during which we accomplished important work. Yet, it also gave our conference clergy and laity a first-hand look at how closely and in step these general superintendents worked. There was even more confidence in our episcopal leadership structure after witnessing how well the bishops can share responsibilities if a need arises.

Second, general superintendency will facilitate a coherent episcopal tone and message. While all bishops will have their own style and flavor, there is much messaging value in having fewer, yet still diverse, voices. Let’s be honest: we are bombarded by an abundance of messaging from corporate advertising, school parent notification apps, and now in the USA, for the next couple of months, political ads. It is difficult for a pastor to convey a consistent message or theme to a congregation, even more so for a bishop to a global church. One of the remedies for this is to have fewer bishops. In my last article I expressed concern about consolidation of power in so few bishops. However, the consolidation of messaging is one of the attributes helping to ease my apprehension.

I have truly marveled at the travel Bishop Jones and Bishop Webb have put in across the USA and the entire world. There is something powerful about a bishop speaking to your conference leadership while referencing what they have experienced and seen outside your context, providing insight into the larger scope of our global denominational life. 

Third, I have returned to Wesley’s first General Rule regarding church life. Wesley's first rule, found in paragraph 108 in The Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church is “do no harm.” If there is one driving question I have wondered about on this journey, it is this: “Which path forward is the least harmful?” To put it another way, “Which path forward would be the most difficult to undo if it appears to be the ill-conceived?” The obvious answer is the one that creates fewer full-time positions. If we choose to have nine general superintendents but decide to move to dozens of local residential bishops then we simply elect more. However, if we elect and place dozens of residential bishops and decide this is not working, good luck finding appointments for these clergy and having them lay down their episcopal positional power. Laying down power is extremely difficult. 

Fourth, I like the idea of bishops focusing on doctrine and spiritual formation above administration. While I believe both models will have devout men and women of faith, the weight of governing will affect the amount of time the individual can put towards doctrinal practices and spiritual formation of the church. If we want bishops to follow in the footsteps of Augustine and Athanasius, we must be unburdened by what has been a significant amount of administration. Allowing the office of bishop to be more of teacher will help empower clergy and laity in a way that will be beneficial to the church.

The best path forward is the one which does the least harm. My hope is this September we elect some amazing bishops who lead us into our bright and vibrant future.

David Wesley Donnan is an Elder in the Global Methodist Church. For articles on the future of Methodism, podcasts, and sermons visit www.daviddonnan.com.