July 10, 2024, Rogers, AR: During the first business session of the 2024 South Central Jurisdictional Conference, the Committee on Episcopacy presented its plan for assigning bishops to the annual conferences of the South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ) for the upcoming quadrennium. The SCJ comprises annual conferences in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Last month in Charlotte, NC, the General Conference did the difficult work of approving a reduction in the number of U.S. active bishops from 39 to 32. This resulted in a reduction in the South Central Jurisdiction from the current eight bishops to six, effective September 1, 2024.
Bishop Jimmy Nunn, who currently serves the Oklahoma, Oklahoma Indian Missionary, and Northwest Texas Conferences, announced his retirement earlier this year. Bishop Robert Schnase, who oversees the Rio Texas and New Mexico Conferences, announced his retirement just a few weeks ago.
Rev. Amy Lippoldt, clergy delegate from the Great Plains Conference and chair of the SCJ Committee on Episcopacy, shared the committee’s recommendation on episcopal assignments for the coming quadrennium:
- Bishop Bob Farr: Missouri Conference
- Bishop Cynthia Harvey: Texas and Rio Texas Conferences
- Bishop Laura Merrill: Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences
- Bishop Ruben Saenz: North Texas, Central Texas, and Northwest Texas Conferences
- Bishop David Wilson: Great Plains Conference
- Bishop Delores Williamston: Louisiana Conference
- The committee will continue the search for an Episcopal Leader for the New Mexico Conference.
Karon Mann (lead lay delegate), who serves on the SCJ Committee on Episcopacy, shared, “We have full confidence in Bishop Merrill’s ability to serve these three conferences, and with the support of conference staff, cabinet, laity, and clergy in each conference, she will have the tools she needs to handle this large task.”
Rev. Mark Norman (lead clergy delegate), who also serves on the same committee, added, “This kind of coverage is happening throughout the denomination. We feel our committee did its best work for this moment in time and realize our work is not finished.”
The Jurisdictional Conference approved the committee’s report. Jurisdictional delegates also approved a plan to unify the North Texas, Central Texas, and Northwest Texas Conferences as the Horizon Texas Annual Conference.
The remaining conferences sharing bishops have voiced no plans to officially combine thus far. Each annual conference will maintain its own identity while sharing episcopal leaders.
Bishop Merrill shared, “I am excited and energized about beginning a new relationship with United Methodists in the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences. I have been so impressed and humbled by the spirit I have found in Arkansas, a spirit that is open-hearted and ready to share the gospel widely and warmly. I look forward to forging new connections in that same work across the western border. I will need to take the time there to listen and build relationships there, but I believe God will be right in the middle of that, and I trust that blessings will abound for us all.”
Rev. Jim Polk, Arkansas Conference Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Connectional Ministries, stated, “Bishop Merrill’s ministry has been a blessing to all of us in the Arkansas Conference these past 18 months, and we join in welcoming her back. Her passion for Christ, her love for people, and her ability to be both real and prophetic have given great hope and joy to our conference. I know her leadership in the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences will bless all three conferences. Through Bishop Merrill’s expanded episcopal leadership, we in Arkansas now have an opportunity to develop new partnerships, friendships, and collaborative ministries with our Oklahoma neighbors, and they do with us. Truly, God is doing something new and good in our midst!”
In closing, Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase, Executive Director of Connectional Ministries of the Oklahoma Conference, said, “I was a part of the Jurisdictional Conference that elected Bishop Merrill on that first historic ballot, and now, history will be made again in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference when we receive our first female Bishop. I am elated that she will become the Bishop in our area, bringing the same wisdom, excitement, and steady leadership that I have witnessed during her tenure in Arkansas,” shared Rev. Dr. Derrek Belase, Executive Director of OKUMC Connectional Ministries. “The changes in the UMC and the close proximity to Arkansas make this partnership one which can allow these three strong conferences to work together in new ways regarding the vital ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ who transform their communities and the world.”