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David Jerald Lawson (26 March 1930 - 31 May 2007) was an American who gained notability as a Pastor and University Campus Minister in The Methodist and United Methodist Churchs, as a District Superintendent and Annual Conference official, and as a Bishop of the United Methodist Church, elected in 1984. Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A pastor is an official person within a Protestant group of people and related to the positions of Priest or Bishop within the Anglican, Roman Catholic The Methodist Church was the name adopted by the Methodist denomination formed in the United States by the reunion in 1939 of the northern The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. He also played a key role establishing and developing Africa University, which is the only U.M.C. university on the continent. Africa University is a "private Pan-African and United Methodist -Related institution The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects A continent is one of several large Landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by Convention rather than any strict criteria with seven regions

Contents

Birth and Family

David was born in Princeton, Indiana and married Martha Ellen Pegram, also of Princeton. Princeton is a city in Patoka Township, Gibson County, in the U The Lawsons had two children: a son, John Mark, married to Louann (who have one son, Matthew); and a daughter, Karen Sue, married to Ray Eynon (who have two children, Rachel and Jacob).

Education

Lawson earned degrees from the University of Evansville (A.B., 1955) and Garrett Biblical Institute (B.D., 1959). The University of Evansville ( UE) is a small private University with approximately 3050 students located in Evansville Indiana. Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (G-ETS is a graduate school of theology of the United Methodist Church located in Evanston Illinois. In Western universities a Bachelor of Divinity (BD or BDiv is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of Additional studies included graduate work in psychology and counseling at Garrett and special studies in organizational development. Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Areas of independent studies included the Theology of Ordination, and the Ministry of Jesus in Galilee. Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective In general religious use ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is set apart as Clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) "Galil" redirects here For the weapon see IMI Galil. Galilee (הגליל ha-Galil, lit the province, He served as a trainer in leadership development, an instructor at the University of Evansville, a keynote speaker at several conferences on science and Christianity, and leader of laity and clergy retreats. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings He and his wife also served as certified trainers for Marriage Enrichment. He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honorary Fraternity. 'Pi Gamma Mu' or ΠΓΜ (from Πολιτικές Γνώσεως Μάθεται) is the oldest and preeminent Honor society in the Social sciences

Ordained Ministry

David was admitted to Probationary Membership in the Indiana Annual Conference and was ordained a Deacon in the The Methodist Church in 1956. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church In general religious use ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is set apart as Clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies The Methodist Church was the name adopted by the Methodist denomination formed in the United States by the reunion in 1939 of the northern He became a Member in Full Connection and was ordained an Elder in 1959. Both ordinations were officiated by Bishop Richard C. Raines.

David's pastoral ministry included the Epworth Church (student pastor) in the Indiana Conference and the Wolcott Church (also student) in the Northwest Indiana Conference. Following seminary graduation, he was appointed to Carrollton and Tell City, then to theWesley Foundation at Indiana University, then the Beech Grove Church in Indianapolis. A Wesley Foundation is a United Methodist campus ministry sponsored in full or in part (depending on the congregation by the United Methodist Church on a non-church owned and Indiana University, founded in 1820, is a nine-campus University system in the state of Indiana. He was the Superintendent of the Evansville District and the Director of the South Indiana Conference Council on Ministries. He then was the Pastor of the Carmel Church (Indianapolis) when elected to the Episcopacy.

Prior to his election, David served as a delegate to the U.M. North Central Jurisdictional Conference (1972-84) and General Conference (1976-84). The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist denomination and the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. In South Indiana, he served as Registrar and Chairperson of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and as Chairperson of the Conference Camping Commission.

Episcopal Ministry

Elected to the Episcopacy by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of the U. Episcopal polity is a form of church governance which is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a Bishop (Greek M. C. in 1984, Bishop Lawson was assigned the Wisconsin Episcopal Area (1984-92) and the Springfield Area (1992-96). Wisconsin ( or wɪˈskɑnsɨn (French Ouisconsin) is one of the fifty United States of America, located in the north central part of the United States An Episcopal Area in the United Methodist Church (UMC is a basic unit of this denomination Springfield is the capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 116482 (U As a Bishop he served as Vice President of the U. M. General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (President of Division on Chaplains and Related Ministry), and as Vice President and President of the General Board of Discipleship (Chairperson of Long Range Planning Committee). A chaplain is typically a Priest, Pastor, ordained Deacon, Rabbi, Imam or other member of the Clergy serving a group of He served as a member of the Steering Committee for Africa University (Chairperson of its Curriculum and Design Committee, and Chairperson of the Selection Committee for the first Dean of its School of Tehology). Africa University is a "private Pan-African and United Methodist -Related institution

Bishop Lawson also served as President of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches. He was the President of the U. M. North Central College of Bishops, and on various committees of the Council of Bishops (including chairing the Committee to Study the Ministry). He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council and President of its Committee on International Theological Education. Bishop Lawson also held many other responsibilities throughout the Church.

He served as a Trustee of many colleges and universities, including University of Evansville, North Central College, Illinois Wesleyan University, McKendree University, and MacMurray College. North Central College is a private 4-year comprehensive liberal arts college located in Naperville Illinois. Illinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate University located in Bloomington, Illinois. McKendree University, formerly known as McKendree College, is a private Liberal arts college located in Lebanon Illinois. MacMurray College is a career-oriented Liberal arts college located in Jacksonville Illinois. He also served as a Trustee of hospitals, including Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, Methodist Medical Center of Peoria, Illinois, and several retirement homes in Wisconsin and Illinois. Madison is the capital of the US state of Wisconsin and the County seat of Dane County. Peoria Illinois (named after the Peoria tribe is the largest city on the Illinois River and the County seat of Peoria County, Illinois

Following retirement in 1996, Bishop Lawson served as Bishop-in-Residence and a faculty member of the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. One of SMU's three original schools the theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J Southern Methodist University ("SMU" is a private, Coeducational University in University Park, Texas (an enclave

Founding of Africa University

Bishop Lawson served on the Site Selection Committee for A. U. , helping to select the site at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election In consultation with Dean (now Bishop) David K. Yemba, he wrote the Mission Statement for the University's Faculty (School) of Theology. Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective "He probably lived and breathed Africa University for a while," said James Salley, the University's Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, upon Bishop Lawson's death. Chancellor or chancellour (archaic ( Latin: cancellarius) is an official Title used in countries whose civilization has arisen "He will be greatly missed by all of us. He was a good friend of Africa University. "

Death and Funeral

Bishop David Jerald Lawson died 31 May 2007 at his home in Franklin, Indiana following a lengthy illness. Franklin is a city in Johnson County, Indiana, United States. He was 77 years old. A Memorial Service celebrating Bishop Lawson's life was held Monday, 11 June 2007 at 1:30 p. m. E.D.T. in the sanctuary of the Saint Luke U. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America Luke the Evangelist ( Hebrew: לוּקָֻא Greek: Loukás) was an early Christian leader who is said by tradition to be the author of M. C. , 100 W. 86th St. , Indianapolis, IN. Visitation with the family preceded the service. A private service with interment of ashes followed the Memorial Service. Bishop Lawson was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Remembrances

Retired U. M. Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn called David Lawson "an extremely inisightful leader," dedicated to the mission of the Church. "He had always carried out his responsibilities with a warm heart, a loving interest in people and was dedicated to helping the world move toward the goal of being a part of the kingdom of God. "

Bishop Michael J. Coyner called Lawson his "consecration bishop" as he recalled how Bishop Lawson preached at the 1996 Episcopal Consecration Service at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, at which Coyner was consecrated a Bishop. "Since that time, David has been a colleague, friend, advisor and supporter," Coyner told members of the 2007 North Indiana Annual Conference as he announced Lawson's death. "He once told me, 'I am one of your balcony people - encouraging you in your ministry as a Bishop. ' I have felt and experienced his support, especially since I returned to Indiana three years ago. I will miss having him around to provide that kind of encouragement and advice. " Bishop Coyner was at the time assigned the Indiana Episcopal Area.

The Rev. Lloyd M. Wright, a seminary classmate and lifelong ministerial colleague, said Lawson "shared a rich life of talent and love, a legacy long to be remembered. " Mr. Wright said further, "David was a man of deep drives of passion for ministry. He could hold you spellbound as he described his spiritual development at the time of his ordination as Deacon and at his ordination of Elder. David spent much of his leadership time with boards of ordained ministry. He shared a real passion for making every step into the ordained ministry a step of faith and growth. "

References

See also

External links

Bishops of The United Methodist Church and its predecessor denominations in order of their election to the Episcopacy, both living and dead
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