Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton

 

 

 

 

As a United Methodist Bishop assigned to the Pittsburgh Area, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton leads about 900 clergy and more than 800 congregations. in the Western Pennsylvania Conference. 

A bishop serves as a general superintendent of the entire denomination. In the United Methodist Church, bishops are ordained clergy elected and consecrated to the office. Bishops give general oversight to the worldly and spiritual interests of the Church.

The Council of Bishops is made up of all active and retired bishops of The United Methodist Church. The Council meets twice a year. According to The Book of Discipline, the Church expects the Council to speak to the Church and from the Church to the world and to give leadership in the quest for Christian unity and interreligious relationships.

Bishops are elected by one of the five jurisdictional conferences held every four years in the United States and by the central conferences outside of the U.S. Bishops in the U.S. are consecrated at the jurisdictional conference and are expected to report for work in their assigned areas on Sept. 1. Bishops are assigned by their jurisdiction to serve a geographical area for a four-year term. There are 50 episcopal areas in the United States and 19 episcopal areas outside of the U.S. In the United States, bishops generally serve an area for two four-year terms, although for missional reasons may be appointed for an additional four years to the same area. 

 Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton