North Central Jurisdiction elects three to be bishop.

The North Central Jurisdiction, meeting today in Peoria, IL, filled three of their four episcopal openings today.

The Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith Malone

The Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith Malone of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference was elected on the 6th ballot. Smith Malone is currently serving as the District Superintendent of the Chicago Southern District as well as the Dean of the Cabinet. A graduate of the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the United Theological Seminary, Smith Malone in various churches and appointments since her ordination in 1993.

The Rev. Dr. Frank Beard

The Rev. Dr. Frank Beard of the Indiana Annual Conference was elected on 6th ballot as well. A graduate of the Asbury Theological Seminary and the Christian Theological Seminary, Beard was ordained to full membership in 1985 and currently serves as the pastor of the Castleton United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Beard has served as a member of several United Methodist boards and agencies throughout his career.

The Rev. Dr. David Bard

The Rev. Dr. David Bard of the Minnesota Annual Conference was elected on ballot 10 late in the evening. Bard currently serves as the Lead Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Duluth, MN. A graduate of United Theological Seminary and Southern Methodist University, Bard has served in churches and as a district superintendent since being ordained as an elder in 1986.

The North Central Jurisdiction will continue voting tomorrow to fill one additional episcopal vacancy.

Click on the names of the new bishops-elect to see their full biographical statement.

Be the First to Comment!

The United Methodist Reporter wants to encourage lively conversation about The United Methodist Church and our articles in the belief that Christian conversation (what Wesley would call conferencing) is a means of grace. While we support passionate debate, we cannot allow language that demeans or demonizes others, and we reserve the right to delete any comment we believe to be harmful or inappropriate. We encourage all to remember that we are all broken and in need of Christ's grace, and that we all see through the glass darkly until that time we when reach full perfection in love. May your speech here be tempered with love, and reflection of the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. After all, "There is no law against things like this." (Galatians 5:22-23)