Jurisdiction Day Three Addition

At around 10:20 pm on the 23rd ballot, we elected our final Bishop, James Dorff. It was a long and emotional day for both Jim and Cheryl and in the end I think it was a relief to both to have a decision made. Both were very gracious. The Kansas Area delegations showed amazing support all day for Cheryl. Before each ballot she was surrounded by prayer and often song. Is there anything more meaningful than to have friends and colleagues surround you with prayers of support and care.

I don't believe there was anyone supporting Cheryl who had a problem with Jim Dorff. He is qualified for the position. I think the disappointment was that once again all of the Bishops elected were men from Texas. I don't not have the data in front of me, but I believe that for the last three quadrenniums we have elected only males from Texas to the episcopacy. Are college of Bishops in the jurisdiction are beginning to look very similar. With the retirement of Joel Martinez we no longer have a Hispanic Bishop in an area where Hispanics are the fastest growing population. We also have only two female Bishops and have not elected a woman in the past twelve years.  We can do better.

It is now after 11:00 in the evening and we are trying to wrap up final business.

Comments

[Lippoldt]

Barry,

I just saw the episcopal assignments, all newbies are staying in Texas. Do you think this was part of motivation to only elect Texans? Providing homegrown leadership for the lone star state instead of taking a chance on an out-of-towner?

It is striking to see that we have not elected a woman in the SCJ in now three quadrennia. You are right, we can do better.

[Barry]

It was absolutely a factor, but not the only one. I am relying on people with more experience than I, but I understand that there has been a serious female candidate the last three conferences. Each time they were in line to be the last Bishop elected, but a white male Texan came up from the pack to recieve the last spot. It is becoming a disturbing pattern. Still your observation is very good for this particular year. The Texas Conferences were much more comfortable raising one of their own when it was their area that was open.