Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Bishop Moncure: New Leader of our Conference
BISHOP RHYMES H. MONCURE, JR., PRESIDED OVER HIS FIRST MEETING OF THE NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE LEADERSHIP TEAM (CLT) IN DALLAS TODAY. He took office just two weeks ago. (Photo courtesy of NTC Communications)
As the first African-American United Methodist Bishop to serve the North Texas Conference (NTC), Rev. Rhymes H. Moncure, Jr. was completely at ease with his new responsibilities today, and appeared more than equal to any challenges that might arise.
His is a low-key leadership style butressed with a commanding presence, a respect for tradition, an engaging personality and the self-assurance to mix appropriate humor with this day's primary role of presiding elder for a roomful of clergy and laity intent on introductions, reportage and occasional requests for favor and funding.
At one point, after first calling for a standard parliamentary "yea or nay" vote on a funding request already approved by an agency committee, Bishop Moncure suddenly transformed the texture of the agenda with a simple semantic segue: "Remember that we are not just voting," he said. "Rather, we are expressing attitudes toward ministry: If you favor this ministry proposal, then say 'YES,' if you don't, then say 'No'."
The approval was unanimous and the tone for the day established.
"A listening ear and a compassionate heart" are among the traits that Rev. John F. Fiedler sees in the new NTC Bishop. Fiedler, Pastor of First UMC, Dallas, adds: "Behind the Bishop's trademark bow tie lies a keen intellect."
Many of those at today's CLT meeting had already heard or read Bishop Moncure's now famous sermon delivered at the recent General UMC Conference in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In that sermon, the Bishop said he views life as a song waiting to be sung.
"Every one of us is a one-of-a-kind, precious child of God, with a unique song to sing," he emphasized.
The Bishop said that "singing the songs of our lives" means that our words, our actions and our thoughts should all be in harmony with the way God intends us to live our lives. He used the analogy of individuals "coming together as a symphony," and occasionally getting "off key" when they are out of harmony with God.
Bishop Moncure's General Conference sermon challenges us to regard the lyrics, the harmony and the spirit of our lives as if we expect a divine conductor to call the chorus together to resurrect our songs.
Before adjourning today's CLT meeting, Bishop Moncure provided the potential lyrics for a song yet to be sung: He announced his intention to quickly learn all the names and faces in the room, and to personally visit each of the 325 churches in the North Texas Conference!
If Bishop Moncure's leadership style at today's meeting suggests a song waiting to be sung, then a good choice might be the old Charles Wesley standard, A Charge To Keep I Have.
Bishop Moncure comes to NTC from Nebraska, where he served as Bishop for the past four years. Throughout his 30 years of parish ministry, Bishop Moncure's appointments have included churches ranging in size from 50 to 2,500 members. His wife of 37 years, Jewell Lena, is an educator and public school counselor. The Moncures have two adult children: daughter Roxanne, a middle school teacher living in St. Louis; and son, Jason, who lives in Atlanta, where he and his wife, Patricia, own a business and are the proud parents of the Moncures' grandson, Jason, Jr.
