The Council of Bishops is made up of all active and retired bishops of The United Methodist Church. According to the Book of Discipline, “The Church expects the Council of Bishops 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.” [Paragraph 427.2]

In The United Methodist Church, a bishop serves as a general superintendent of the entire church.  Thus, they give general oversight to the worldly and spiritual interests of the Church. Bishops are not “ordained” as bishops, but are clergy elected and consecrated to the office of bishop.  As a part of their calling they oversee the ecumenical and interreligious engagements of the Church, including a staff of four persons and their ministries of dialogue, relationship-building, theology and training.  Their training ministry is called “United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training” (UMEIT), and the courses offered here are a part of that ministry.

For more information please see www.unitedmethodistbishops.org.