Update on Pastor Paul's Episcopal Nomination

The Global Methodist Church has released the final candidate rankings submitted by the eight Area Episcopal Committees as part of their discernment processes.

Pastor Paul Lawler has been named the top-ranked (#1) candidate by an Area Episcopal Committee. 

Under the Global Methodist Church's episcopal process, candidates ranked #1 are considered the most likely to be elected by the General Conference, so Pastor Paul's selection as a #1 candidate represents a significant step in the process. However, there are significant discussions remaining that may influence the final selection. The final election will occur in Johannesburg in late August/early September.

As the next step, Pastor Paul will participate in an interview with the Global Episcopal Committee. That interview will be made publicly available prior to the General Conference, where delegates will vote to elect bishops.

Pastor Paul will continue serving as Senior Pastor of Christ Methodist Church throughout this process. No changes to the leadership of Christ Methodist Church are taking place at this time. In anticipation of every possible outcome, a team of lay leaders has continued its work to prepare for a future senior pastor search. This provisional search team has committed to ongoing prayer and has reviewed more than 250 sermons while evaluating an initial field of more than 80 pastoral candidates. Through that process, the team has narrowed the field to a significantly smaller preferred candidates list and is prepared to engage with the bishop to secure our next appointment if Pastor Paul is confirmed as a bishop in September.

We will continue to share updates as additional information becomes available. Thank you for your continued prayers for Pastor Paul and Missy, our lay leadership, Christ Methodist Church, and the Global Methodist Church.