Episcopacy in the Methodist tradition : perspectives and proposals / Russell E. Richey and Thomas Edward Frank.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Richey, Russell E.

Contributor:

Frank, Thomas Edward.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Methodist Church--United States--Bishops--Appointment, call, and election--History.

Methodist Church.

Methodist Church--United States--Government--History.

Political science.

History.

Bishops.

United States.

Physical Description:

147 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Nashville : Abingdon Press, [2004]

Summary:

Explores Methodist episcopacy in the U.S. and reviews notions of and expectations about episcopal leadership held by United Methodists today. After a careful historical study, Richey and Frank give helpful perspectives on a current proposal to the 2004 General Conference by the Council of Bishops to elect a bishop who will serve a four-year term as the Council's president. More generally and for the longer term, the book examines the need for organizational change and theological reflection on the office of the bishop, while reviewing the implications of such reorganization of the Council of Bishops including the election process. By examining what Methodists have meant by the words "itinerant general superintendent," the authors discuss the polity of the Church and explore the constraints, concerns, and possibilities for episcopal leadership.

Contents:

Perspectives

Bishops as leaders: expectations, realities, and possibilities

Episcopacy in Methodism: shadows of John Wesley

Itinerant general superintendency: Asbury's precept and practice

Polity and practice of Episcopacy in the contemporary United Methodist Church

Proposals

Proposal 1: should bishops be elected at general conference?

Proposal 2: constitutional issues of council of bishops presidency

Proposal 3: structures of general oversight

Proposal 4: superintendency and the bishops' role in presiding.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0687038618

OCLC:

53178451