SCJ Agenda
Click the image or the link below the image to download the pdf version of the Agenda for the 2022 South Central Jurisdictional Conference
Meet our Delegates
Click the link or image above to meet the Clergy and Laity from across the Central Texas Conference that will represent us at SCJ2022
Event Website
We invite you to follow the link in text or image above to read more information about the conference.
SCJ Agenda
Click the image or the link below the image to download the pdf version of the Agenda for the 2022 South Central Jurisdictional Conference
Meet our Delegates
Click the link or image above to meet the Clergy and Laity from across the Central Texas Conference that will represent us at SCJ2022
Event Website
We invite you to follow the link in text or image above to read more information about the conference.
News and Updates
SCJ Episcopacy Committee Reaffirms Recommendation of Election of Three Bishops at 2022 Jurisdictional Conference
10/17/2022
The South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ) Committee on Episcopacy, in consultation with the College of Bishops, affirmed their recommendation that the Jurisdictional Conference elect three new bishops when it meets November 2-5 in Houston, Texas.
With three elections, the SCJ would have a total of eight bishops available to be assigned to the ten episcopal areas. The Committee on Episcopacy along with the College of Bishops will meet again in Houston before the 2022 Jurisdictional Conference convenes to make a recommendation for episcopal assignment and/or coverage for the ten episcopal areas with terms beginning January 1, 2023.
Five SCJ bishops are retired or have requested retirement. Bishops W. Earl Bledsoe (Northwest Texas-New Mexico) and J. Michael Lowry (Central Texas) retired earlier this year. Bishops Michael McKee (North Texas), Scott J. Jones (Texas) and Gary Mueller (Arkansas) will retire effective January 1, 2023.
The business of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference is scheduled for November 2-4 in Houston. New bishops will be consecrated during a worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 5 at Houston First United Methodist Church-Westchase Campus, 3663 Westcenter Dr., Houston, Texas 77042.
SCJ Episcopacy Committee Reaffirms Recommendation of Election of Three Bishops at 2022 Jurisdictional Conference
The South Central Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy has decided, in consultation with the College of Bishops, to recommend that the Jurisdictional Conference elect three new bishops in November 2022.
With three elections, the SCJ would have a total of nine bishops available to be assigned to the 10 current episcopal areas. The tenth episcopal area will be left open with episcopal coverage to be determined by the Council of Bishops upon recommendation from the SCJ College of Bishops immediately following the adjournment of Jurisdictional Conference.
That area is anticipated to be the Northwest Texas/New Mexico area, which is currently covered by active SCJ bishops. The recommendation to provide coverage rather than assignment for the tenth episcopal area was due to missional reasons related to continuity of leadership.
Four SCJ bishops are retired or have requested retirement. Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe (Northwest Texas-New Mexico) and Bishop Mike Lowry (Central Texas) retired earlier this year. Bishop Michael McKee (North Texas) and Bishop Scott J. Jones (Texas) will retire effective January 1, 2023.
Bishops are elders in full connection set apart for a ministry of servant leadership, general oversight and supervision. The SCJ has a process for the election of bishops. Questions related to the process can be directed to SCJ Executive Director Eddie Ervin or eerwin@scjumc.org.
Following the election of new bishops, the SCJ Committee on Episcopacy will recommend, and the Jurisdictional Conference will assign, all nine active bishops to episcopal areas, with terms beginning January 1, 2023. Coverage for the tenth area will be assigned by the SCJ College of Bishops immediately following the adjournment of Jurisdictional Conference.
The South Central Jurisdictional Conference is scheduled for November 2-4 in Houston.
UMC Bishops Officially Set Nov. 2-5 for 2022 Jurisdictional Conferences
MAY 27, 2022
In response to Judicial Council decision 1445, the Council of Bishops (COB) has formally set the dates for regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened November 2-5, 2022.
During a special COB meeting held today, the bishops approved a motion that the jurisdictional conferences will meet for purpose of the election and assignment of new bishops for the limited purpose of effectuating the continuance of the episcopacy in The United Methodist Church.
Each jurisdiction will determine how many bishops will be elected in their areas.
The President of the Council, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton said, “I was very pleased that the council engaged in a very thorough and thoughtful discussion. We weighed and balanced all of the pros and cons involved in making this decision. While there is no scenario that is without obstacles, we celebrate the ability we have been given to conduct Jurisdictional Conferences and elect bishops to serve the church in its next expression.”
In another development, the bishops voted to ask the Judicial Council for clarification on the following issues:
- Does Decision 1445 mean that only those bishops elected to fill vacancies existing as of the jurisdictional conferences in November 2022 may be assigned to fill those vacancies or may active bishops already serving in the jurisdiction be reassigned to fill the vacancies and newly elected bishops be assigned to fill vacancies created when active bishops are reassigned?
- If a bishop who must retire “on August 31 next following the regular session of the jurisdictional conference” elects to remain in the bishop’s assignment from the adjournment of the jurisdictional conference in November 2022 until August 31 of 2023, how can a newly elected bishop be assigned on an interim basis to the episcopal area served by the retiring bishop before August 31, 2023?
The Council of Bishops encourages the entire church to continue in deep, unceasing prayer for the Church and the world in this difficult time in the life of the church.