“Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.”
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III
Presiding Bishop of The Eighth Episcopal District and Senior Bishop of The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Lawrence Reddick, the 51st bishop elected in the Christian Methodist
Episcopal (CME) Church, has been presiding bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District since July 2014.
Born June 20, 1952, in Huntsville, Alabama, he is one of seven children of the late
Reverend and Mrs. L. L. Reddick, Jr.
He is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University of Delaware, Ohio (Bachelor of Arts degree)
and Duke Divinity School of Durham, North Carolina (Master of Divinity Degree). He was conferred honorary doctoral degrees from United Theological Seminary and Bible College of Monroe, Louisiana, and Texas College, Tyler, Texas
His journey into ordained ministry began in 1966 in Athens, Alabama (Frazier Chapel CME Church), when he was licensed to preach by the Reverend R. E. Brooks. He was ordained deacon in 1968 and ordained elder in 1969 by Bishop E. P. Murchison, and admitted into full connection in 1972 by Bishop C. A. Kirkendoll.
His ministerial appointments prior to being elected bishop included being pastor in Alabama, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, and Mississippi. He also assisted as youth minister in Ohio.
He was elected editor of The CHRISTIAN INDEX, the Official Publication of the CME Church, in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 1994. When elected bishop in 1998, he was simultaneously serving as editor of THE CHRISTIAN INDEX and presiding elder of the Aberdeen-Tupelo District in the North-East Mississippi Annual Conference.
Upon election as bishop in 1998, he was assigned as bishop of the Tenth District (including the work in Jamaica, Haiti, Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria). After service in the Tenth Episcopal District, Bishop Reddick was assigned in 2002 and 2006 as bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District (which includes the denomination’s work in Alabama and Florida). In 2010 he was assigned to the First Episcopal District, comprising Arkansas, Tennessee and Jamaica. In 2014, he was assigned to the Eighth Episcopal District, comprising Texas (except El Paso) and Jamaica.
He became Senior Bishop (the longest serving active bishop and CEO) in 2014. He is chair of the Texas College Trustee Board, and was chair of the Committee to Develop a New CME Hymnal and the Compilation Committee for THE BOOK of DISCIPLINE 2014. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Bread for the World.
He is married to Mrs. Wynde Jones Reddick, is the father of five children (Jon, Janice, Iris, Rose, and Samuel), and is the grandfather of eight (Sean, Nylah, Lailah, Gabriel, Benjamin, Anthony, Anyah, Judah).
Vision
The Eighth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is called to be an open and loving people, fulfilling the purposes of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Mission
As a body of Christ-centered believers inspired by the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Eighth Episcopal District is to transform the world, demonstrating love through lively Bible based teaching, worship, fellowship and relevant ministries to local and global communities.
Values
Quadrennial Theme:
2023 Theme:
“BE BOLD: Face Now, Embrace Next, See New”
This Conference Year’s Emphasis:
“BE BOLD: Reckoning with Our 21st Century Reality”
PRESIDING ELDERS OF THE 8TH
We are a place were all people may find a spiritual family
We are a church that welcomes all people to encounter the risen Jesus. Together we assist one another in developing faith that equips us for the challenges of our changing world and places our hope in the Lord.
We pray that all will come to know that Jesus is love and that this knowledge will permeate our lives.
The Eighth Episcopal District
has adopted the following areas of emphasis for Christian growth and institutional improvement through 2021
Worship and Spiritual Formation
Goal: to develop and nurture spiritual maturity, leading to Christ likeness through prayer, study of Scripture, teaching, fasting, confession, and worship.
Evangelism and Church Growth
Goal: to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ with the intent of inviting others to trust in and commit to Jesus Christ.
Health and Wellness
Goal: to focus on the holistic development of individuals, encompassing mind, body, spirit and community, by promoting wellness and fostering healthy environments and healthy experiences.
Missions and Outreach
Goal: to meet basic and spiritual needs of people through missions and outreach services on an on-going, continuing basis – locally, nationally, and internationally.
Ministerial Development
Goal: to equip people in recognizing their spiritual gifts and do what God has called them to do by edifying their spiritual gifts.
Financial Leadership
Goal: to develop a financial plan that maintains the best practices and principles for the Eighth Episcopal District.
Organizational Effectiveness
Goal: to evaluate structures for effectiveness, incorporating new strategies, processes and/or systems as needed.
“Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV)
The Upper Room Disciplines
Join Bread for the World
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