A Welcome Letter from President Pro-Tempore Greenway

/ President Pro-Tempore Messages / By

Greetings in the name of Jesus—the One who has called us to this time and place together!

I’m grateful to be part of the emergence of this new movement of the Holy Spirit—and I’m convinced God is doing a new thing among those of us who claim the historic, orthodox, evangelical, Wesleyan expression of our faith. I believe we’re planting seeds that, when full grown, will bear the fruit of a vital, Wesleyan witness and dynamic, Spirit-filled Methodism across the globe. I truly believe the best is yet to come!

Who We Are

The Allegheny West Provisional Conference is being formed by congregations and clergy who’ve disaffiliated from the East Ohio, West Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania Conferences. Since last September, over 80 volunteers representing each of those regions have worked to put together the systems and structures necessary for us to be approved as a Provisional Conference by the Transitional Leadership Council (TLC) of the Global Methodist Church.

We received approval from the TLC as a Provisional Conference on April 1, 2023. We’re diligently working in preparation to onboard the congregations and clergy and help secure clergy leadership for churches where applicable. We believe up to 400 churches will join our Conference once they complete their disaffiliation requirements. I would remind you, however, the goal has never been disaffiliation, affiliation, or launching a Provisional Conference.

Our Hopeful Future

We eagerly anticipate the day when our congregations can walk out of the fog of these recent years into a bright and hopeful future. We need each other as we live into what’s next, and I write to encourage you to join us as we journey through these early weeks and months of our existence. I also urge those who join us to be hopeful and expect the best of each other. We’re in the process of carefully and prayerfully blending three distinctly different conference experiences and cultures. This process will require grace and resolve for a hopeful future, but I’m confident we can do so with God’s help.

One way we can achieve this preferred future is to intentionally change the way we operate in our new denomination. Some of us have been fighting for the faith for so long that it’s our natural response. Our tendency is to look at others with suspicion and lack of trust. I invite us to say grace over the past and refocus ourselves for salvation-offering, church-planting, community-transforming, world-changing mission and ministry in the best of our Wesleyan tradition. To use an image from scripture—we need to beat our swords into plowshares—and start preparing the ground of our Conference for the planting that is to come.

This word of caution doesn’t mean we won’t have discourse and important decisions to make about what’s next for us. It does, however, require us to remember others with whom we’re sharing the future are committed to the same mission and beliefs. The Allegheny West Provisional Conference has been formed to help shape that kind of focus.

Plan Now for October’s Convening Conference

Our convening Conference will be held on October 13-14, 2023 at Reynoldsburg Community Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. I anticipate a powerful time of healing, vision casting, and celebration of our hopeful and fruitful future. Imagine gathering with like-hearted Methodists who celebrate the faith once delivered to the saints rather than picking it apart. Imagine the joy of walking in agreement with Wesleyan sisters and brothers and discovering the Spirit at work. Imagine ordaining up to 100 individuals as Deacons and Elders. Imagine how God will be glorified as we band together as congregations, pastors, and laity and see new congregations birthed which reflect biblical Christianity and who share the Gospel where it needs to be heard. Just imagine—I can’t wait!

Our Encouragement Comes from Jesus

Let me close with a word of encouragement from Jesus’ prayer for us the toward end of the Gospel of John, chapter 17:

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22, 23).

The unity Jesus prayed for us wasn’t structural or organizational—but a unity of Spirit, core beliefs, and practices that make us distinctively Christian. I share them today, in the early days of our existence, as an invitation for us to be ONE—ONE in heart—ONE in love for Jesus—ONE in commitment to the orthodox doctrines and foundational moral teachings of the Christian faith—ONE in mission—and ONE in our passion to proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the land. In the years to come, may we BECOME that kind of ONE.

Join Us

If you’re willing to be part of that type of connection of like-minded, warm-hearted, Jesus-loving, Spirit-filled, Wesleyan, evangelical, orthodox, covenant-keeping Christians who are committing to locking arms and committed to offering the whole Gospel to the whole world—I invite you to join us.

I promise you; the best is yet to come!

 

*According to Paragraph 411 of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline, Senior Status Deacons and Elders must declare their intention to attend the Special Session 90 days before the date. Senior Status Clergy who wish to stand for election and have voice and vote at the March 16, 2024 Called Session of the Allegheny West Conference must notify Joy Perry in writing at jperry@alleghenywestgmc.org by December 18, 2023. US mail notifications must be post-marked by midnight on December 15, 2023 and mailed to Joy Perry; c/o The Allegheny West Conference; 1636 Graham Road; Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.

Rev. Herman F. Dick, Jr

Chief Financial Officer

Herman brings thirty years of combined experience in financial planning, reporting and analysis. He also has served as a pastor for the past ten years and is a clergy member of the Global Methodist Church.

He most recently served as Associate Pastor for Riverside Church in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to that he was a chief financial officer for a publicly traded corporation with annual revenues of $150 million. In that role, he steered financial strategy and planning, regulatory reporting, investor relations, and more. In prior roles, he also developed strengths in financial analysis and reporting, general accounting, and budgeting.

As chief financial officer, Herman will oversee financial strategy and planning, as well as accounting and budgeting, for the Allegheny West Annual Conference.

David Watson

David F. Watson is Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has authored or edited a number of publications, including Key United Methodist Beliefs (with William J. Abraham), Wesley, Wesleyans, and Reading Bible as Scripture (edited with Joel B. Green) and has written a variety of articles and book chapters. His most recent book is Scripture and the Life of God: Why the Bible Matters Today More than Ever (Seedbed, 2017).  At present he is working on a book on Methodism and the Bible. He serves as Lead Editor of Firebrand and is one of the hosts of the Firebrand Podcast. 

David is an elder in the Global Methodist Church and serves on its Transitional Leadership Council. He and his family attend Stillwater Church in Dayton, Ohio.

Rev. Dr. Jessica LaGrone

Rev. Dr. Jessica LaGrone is the Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. She enjoys mentoring and multiplying as she serves as pastor to a vibrant seminary community. She is an acclaimed teacher, preacher, and author whose engaging communication style endears her to groups throughout the United States. A native of Texas, Jessica is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church where she also serves as a member of the denomination’s Transitional Leadership Council. She previously pastored in churches in the Houston area including eight years at The Woodlands Methodist Church where she served as Pastor of Worship.  

She holds an MDiv from Asbury Seminary and a DMin in Transformational Preaching from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University with a concentration on Creativity in Preaching.  Jessica’s latest book, Out of Chaos: How God Makes New Things Out of the Broken Pieces of Life, explores the beauty that God can bring out of the chaotic state of our lives and our world. Jessica’s books and studies have been used in personal and group studies around the world, and include Namesake, Under Wraps, Broken and Blessed, Set Apart, and The Miracles of Jesus.
 
Jessica and her husband, Jim, have two children, Drew and Kate, and a dog named Bluebell, who is the color of Homemade Vanilla ice cream.

Kevin Watson

Kevin M. Watson is passionate about raising up the next generation of leaders for the Church of Jesus Christ. To this end, he is the Director of Academic Growth & Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary. Kevin is anchored at Asbury’s Tulsa Extension Site, where he is also Scholar in Residence at Asbury Church. In his academic and teaching ministry he has worked to unplug the ancient wells of the 18th and 19th century evangelical revivals so Christians today can drink from their living water. His research, writing, and teaching has particularly focused on the practice of small group formation through Wesleyan class and band meetings and the doctrine of entire sanctification. He has written or contributed to ten books, including The Class Meeting, Perfect Love, and Old or New School Methodism? Watson has fifteen years of experience in seminary education and pastoral ministry. Kevin is married to Melissa and they are the proud parents of three children. Connect with Kevin at: kevinmwatson.com.

Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory

Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory currently serves as the President Pro Tempore for the Global Methodist Church’s Mid Texas Annual Conference. After 30 years in the United Methodist Church, she became an Elder with the Global Methodist Church in June of 2022. During her ministry she has served as a laywoman in the Oklahoma Conference, as a pastor in the North Texas Conference and the Central Texas Conference.  Before leaving the UMC, she sat on the Central Texas Cabinet of the UMC as a District Superintendent for six years, including serving as Dean of the Cabinet for five years.

Leah has a heart and a passion for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  She has spent much of her ministry in church revitalization, revival and church growth.  She is excited about the Global Methodist Church and the orthodox witness which is being awakened within our congregations as they discern their next faithful step.

She holds a Doctorate in Ministry in Church Leadership Excellence from Wesley Theological in Washington, D.C.; a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology; and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Texas A&M Commerce.   She is married to partner in ministry, Stan.  They have two daughters and sons-in-law and a son Will who is still at home.

Rev. Dr. Steve Cordle

Rev. Dr. Steve Cordle is the founding and lead pastor of Crossroads Church, a cell-based congregation with four locations in the Pittsburgh metro area.

He is also the Executive Director of The River Network International, a non-profit dedicated to starting and strengthening churches around the world. He also coaches pastors and church planters.

He is the author of three books: The Church in Many Houses; Hear It, See It, Risk It; and A Jesus-Shaped Life.

Steve was named Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus at United Theological Seminary and is a winner of the Denman Award for evangelism. He chaired the Church Multiplication Task Force for the Wesleyan Covenant Association.

Cordle is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended high school in Brussels, Belgium. It was there that he came to faith in Christ and sensed a call to ministry.

In his spare time, Steve likes to play softball, run, play classical piano, and cheer on any Pittsburgh sports team.

Cordle is a graduate of Wittenberg University (BME), Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv), and United Theological Seminary (DMin).

Steve and his wife Linda have three grown sons, three daughters-in-love, and five grandchildren.

Bishop Mark Webb

Mark J. Webb currently serves as a bishop in The Global Methodist Church.

He was elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church and consecrated on July 20, 2012, at the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference. Mark served as the episcopal leader of the Upper New York Area of the United Methodist Church from September 1, 2012, until December 31, 2022. On January 2, 2023, he was received as an elder and bishop in The Global Methodist Church.

Mark holds a M. Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Shippensburg University. He also holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Connecticut.

He served pastorates at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg, Pa. from 1994-2007, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Wormleysburg, Pa. from 1991-1994, and Linglestown United Methodist Church from 1989-1991. He served as District Superintendent of the York District of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church from 2007-2012.

Mark currently serves as a Trustee of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

He received the Harry Denman Evangelism Award in 2002 and in 2018, was named as one of the top 100 leaders by the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award.

Mark encourages clergy and laity to work together in the development of discipleship pathways that will point people to Jesus Christ and bear fruit for the kingdom of God. He has a passion for Christ-following leadership development, new faith communities and ensuring existing congregations grow in vitality and fulfill the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly and witness boldly”.

He is a native of Williamsport, Pa., and is married to Jodi. Mark and Jodi live in Lititz, PA and have two sons, Tyler, who is married to Lyndsay and Benjamin, who is married to Mary.

Bishop Mike Lowry

Bishop Emeritus Mike Lowry

John Michael (“Mike”) Mike Lowry was raised in a nominally Methodist home in Northern Illinois.  At the beginning of his senior year in High School, the family moved to Taipei, Taiwan where Mike graduated from Taipei American School in 1968. Returning to the United States, he enrolled at Earlham College (a Quaker related school) in Richmond, Indiana.  His sojourn with a vague agnosticism was ended by a road to Damascus experience while taking a required course in Christian Beliefs.  Mike began his ministry with the Society of Friends (Quakers) sharing in pastoral leadership for Rich Square Friends Meeting in the Spring of 1972.  He graduated from Earlham in 1972 with B. A. in Political Science and Religion.  His intention to go to law school was interrupted by a reluctant enrollment in Seminary at Perkins School of Theology where in graduated with a Masters in Theology (M. Div.) in 1976.  He received his Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1985.

Shortly after graduating from Perkins, he married Jolynn Darland.  They celebrated their 46th anniversary in 2022. They have a son Nathan & daughter-in-law Abigail and grandsons Simon and Adam; daughter Sarah & son-in-law Steven and grandchildren Grace and Sam.

Mike was elected to the episcopacy of the United Methodist Church at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in July, 2008.  He served for 13 & ½ years as the Resident Bishop of the Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.  During his tenure Bishop Lowry has served the larger connection of The United Methodist Church on the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops (2012-2016), Presiding Bishop for Path One New Church Development (Discipleship Ministries 2009-2016), and President of the South-Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops (2010-2011).  He provided leadership on a variety of institutional boards including serving as a member of the United Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, the Texas Methodist Foundation Board, the Texas Wesleyan University Board of Trustees and the Texas Health Resources Board of Directors.  Past service includes the United Methodist Publishing House Board of Directors, the Perkins School of Theology, S. M. U. Executive Board, the Board of Trustees for Southwestern University, and the Methodist Children’s Home Board of Trustees among others. 

At the time of his election and consecration as bishop in July 2008, he was serving as executive director of New Church Development and Transformation in the Southwest Texas Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to that, he was senior pastor at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio which grew from 4,800 to 5,700 members during his tenure. His previous appointments include United Methodist Churches in Austin, Corpus Christi, Harlingen and Kerrville and, while a student, serving Plymouth Park in Irving, Texas.

Prior to his election, Mike Lowry has held numerous offices including Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, Chair of the Board of Global Ministries’ Committee on Church Extension, and Chair of the Council on Church Revitalization and Church Extension. While serving at the Executive Director for New Church Development and Transformation in the Southwest Texas Conference, he led a successful conference capital campaign to fund new church starts. 

Bishop Lowry was awarded the B’nai B’rith Award in Social Ethics by Perkins School of Theology (1976) and the Harry Denman Evangelism Award from the Central Texas Conference-Foundation for Evangelism (2015).  Churches under his leadership have received numerous awards and recognitions including the Habitat for Humanity Award (2004), the President’s Award from Huston-Tillotson University (2004), the Churchmanship Award from the San Antonio Community of Churches (2003) and the Moore Award Evangelism Award three times.  He was a delegate to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1996, 2004, and 2008, as well as a delegate to the South-Central Jurisdictional Conference of United Methodist Church in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. 

Upon retirement January 1, 2022, Bishop Lowry became the Bishop in Residence at United Theological Seminary where he currently serves.  He and his wife Jolynn moved to the Eastern panhandle of West Virginia to be near family.

Mike Lowry joined the Global Methodist Church at its inception as Bishop Emeritus.  He now serves on the Transitional Leadership Council of the Global Methodist Church.  He has a passion for Christ and for the transformation of the church as mission post of the advancing Kingdom of God. He often encourages people to greater faithfulness to Jesus Christ by reminding them (and himself) in the midst of trials to “breathe deep, Jesus is still Lord!  And that is a very good thing!!