Episcopacy in the Methodist tradition
Subtitle: perspectives and proposals
By: Russell E. Richey and Thomas Edward Frank.
Contributors: Frank, Thomas Edward.
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Nashville, Tenn
Language: eng
Number of pages: 147
Subjects: Methodist Church -- United States -- Bishops -- Appointment, call, and election -- History.; Methodist Church -- United States -- Government -- History.
Description: "This book 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, this book examines the need for organizational change and theological reflection on the office of 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, concern, and possibilities for episcopal leadership."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Perspectives; title: Bishops as leaders: expectations, realities, and possibilities; title: Episcopacy in Methodism: shadows of John Wesley; title: Itinerant general superintendency: Asbury's precept and practice; title: Polity and practice of Episcopacy in the contemporaryUnited Methodist Church; title: Proposals; title: Proposal 1: should bishops be elected at general conference?; title: Proposal 2: constitutional issues of council of bishops presidency; title: Proposal 3: structures of general oversight; title: Proposal 4: superintendency and the bishops' role in presiding.