Bishop Saenz Shares Why He Is Choosing to #BeUMC
March 29, 2022
Bishop Ruben Saenz, episcopal leader for the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church has released his statement as to why he is choosing to remain in The United Methodist Church.
The heart-breaking but inevitable announcement of the launch of the Global Methodist denomination on May 1 prompts each of us to prayerfully consider whether to stay in The United Methodist Church. I want to be absolutely clear that I will remain with The United Methodist Church. My decision comes after much prayer, serious reflection on scripture, my experience of God’s grace, the present state of human knowledge, dialogue, and discernment. I pray you also will continue your faith journey with us in the UMC. Please be assured that as your bishop, I will do all in my capacity, so help me God, to shepherd the conferences I work with and The United Methodist Church as a whole toward a fruitful future that gives witness to God’s redeeming grace and love for the world through Christ. This includes working with mission-minded United Methodists to create new faith communities. It also includes providing creative solutions to keep people connected with a United Methodist witness if they become displaced because their congregation fulfills all disaffiliation provisions and votes to leave the denomination.
Let us pray for each other and encourage each other while seeking the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace under one Lord, and one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. I believe that Christ who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.