There's a bright hope for the future of The United Methodist Church. That’s the message shared by the United Methodist Council of Bishops' new president, Bishop Tracy S. Malone (pictured), and immediate past president, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton.
Against a backdrop of the “Cross and Flame,” the two bishops shared their thoughts about what comes next following the close of the postponed 2020/2024 General Conference in a video titled "Bright Hope for Tomorrow.” Each expressed optimism and talked about a sense of newness.“Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 19: God says, ‘See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,’” quoted Bishop Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Episcopal Area. Malone became the Council of Bishops’ president on April 30 and will serve a two-year term as their leader. The Council of Bishops provides spiritual leadership to the church.
Malone succeeded Bishop Bickerton, resident bishop of the New York Episcopal Area, who called the final week of the legislative event the beginnings of a rebirth of the denomination, with “new mission, new focus and new purpose for our work in the 21st century.”
“This is a hopeful day for The United Methodist Church as we look forward -- not to diminish the fact that we have problems, but to accentuate the reality that in the midst of our problems, God is providing a pathway for our church to follow,” said Bickerton. “It's a pathway filled with joy and hopefulness, a pathway that's filled with great expectation of what the church can be in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Malone said The United Methodist Church’s diversity is to be celebrated.
“The United Methodist Church is a worldwide, beautifully diverse church, and we believe in unity. We celebrate our diversity and we embrace our cultural and theological differences,” noted Bishop Malone. “Our unity in Christ and connection as The United Methodist Church transcends geography, borders, barriers and differences.”
“There is a renewed hope and a renewed focus in the life of our church as we continue to expand our witness for Jesus Christ and live into our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world as we welcome the stranger, engage in ministry with the poor, care for those who are marginalized, work for peace and justice as we build beloved community,” shared Bishop Malone.
Bishop Robin Dease also recorded a video message specifically to North Georgia United Methodists. "I want to assure you that the spirit of this General Conference has been beautiful. The delegates have worked together. They have debated with grace and respect for one another. It has been truly a time of Holy Conferencing.