Bishop Thomas Bickerton

After the Dec. 14th massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Bishop Bickerton offers some thoughts on how we can respond. 

 Bishop Bickerton shares some thoughts on the subject of "guaranteed appointments" for clergy in the wake of the UMC Judicial Council ruling retaining the church's long-standing rules about "security of appointment".  The decision came as no surprise to him, but he cautions against believing that everything can stay the same as it has always been. 

 More was said than done at General Conference. But in the end, it doesn't take legislation for the United Methodist Church to be the church of Jesus Christ.

 Presiding over the General Conference during discussion of human sexuality issues prompted Bishop Thomas Bickerton to pray for speakers and all those affected.

 The stories of the wonderful ways the United Methodist Church is in mission and ministry across the world counteract the naysayers predicting doom for the church.

 Bishop Bickerton shares his thoughts on some of the actions of the General Conference, specifically those relating to a set-aside bishop, term limits for bishops and the elimination of guaranteed appointments for elders.

 An Act of Repentance Toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples prompts some thoughts on white privilege.

 On the third day of General Conference, God led Bishop Bickerton to where the wounds are. 

 The first day of General Conference was a mixed bag for Bishop Bickerton. He describes his joys and some not-so-joyful, but necessary, business.

 In the midst of the business of General Conference, on World Malaria Day, Bishop Bickerton had the joy of telling the delegates how United Methodists have been part of the effort that has cut deaths from malaria in half over the last four years. 

 For a message to pastors and church leaders at IGNITE on Oct. 11, Bishop Bickerton reflected on some wisdom offered by the late Apple computer co-founder Steven Jobs and its application in the life of the church.

After 33 retired United Methodist bishops issued a call to end the denomination's ban on gay clergy, Bishop Bickerton expresses concern that such statements may inadvertently divide and wound the church that the bishops are called to strengthen and unify. He says he is committed to lead with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to faithfully administer the Discipline of the church. He also commits to pray for the church and invites others to do the same.  

 Bishop Bickerton and his colleagues travel to the massive Central Congo area, where they find many challenges facing God's children and leaders in the United Methodist Church. They are inspired by the spirit of the people and their determination in providing ministries of health care, congregational development and evangelism.

 Sunday in Africa and Bishop Thomas J. Bicketon is dancing, literally, for joy!

 A visit to North Katanga reveals the tremendous influence of the United Methodist Church and seeing a tiny child dying of malaria in a local hospital confirms for Bishop Bickerton why the Church have to act NOW to eliminate malaria. There's no time to be patient!

 In Kamina, Bishop Bickerton, singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and other church leaders receive a warm welcome from people who show their joy and hope. 

 A mosquito nets distribution and Imagine No Malaria kick-off in Lubumbashi draws literally thousands. It was the culmination of months of work and provides a model for effective interfaith cooperation and an effective means to combat the spread of deadly malaria.

 Bishop Bickerton, who heads the United Methodist Global Health Initiative, is in the Democratic Republic of Congo to help with a massive distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and dedication of other projects aimed at halting the spread of deadly malaria.  Here are his journal entries from the first day.  

 Bishop Bickerton sees a lesson for Christians in West Virginia University basketball Coach Bob Huggins' actions on and off the court the past few weeks.  

Success is nothing with successors.  Church leaders must take action to develop principled Christian leaders.