Earl Bledsoe

 

 

 

 

W. Earl Bledsoe
A Biographical Sketch
Family Background:
I am the son of a United Methodist pastor. My father, Reverend Wilbart Bledsoe, received his call into ministry in 1950, the year I was born. I was raised in a Christian home with my mom and dad, two sisters and two brothers. We all received college educations; my father paid for the first semester, and expected us to either work or excel in academics for a scholarship to get the rest. He taught us that it was better to suffer and sacrifice for four years in order to achieve an education than to suffer and sacrifice the rest of our life without one.
 
I am married to Leslie Jean (Bray) of Port Arthur, Texas. We have five adult children and one 17 year
old, Letitia Gail, at home. Letitia is a senior and honor student at A&M Consolidated High School. She hopes to become a neonatologist after graduating from college and completion of medical school. Leslie is a licensed social worker. She is totally blind.
 
Educational Background:
• Bachelor of Arts Degree (1982) – West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas – majored in English with minor in Spanish.
• Master of Divinity Degree (1985) – Perkins School of Theology (SMU), Dallas, Texas – Benjamin E. Mays Scholar – Hebrew and Greek scholar.
• Doctor of Ministry Degree (1991) – Drew University, Madison, New Jersey – “Equipping Christian Educators to Respond to the Needs of At-Risk Inner city Teenagers”
 
Pastoral Record:
• 2002 – Present – District Superintendent (Bryan/West District) – 88 congregations spread across a
large geographical area, of which 60% are small membership and 29 are African American.
• 2000 – 2002: Spring Woods UMC (Houston, Texas) – Received 180 new members of whom 50 were
received on profession of faith. Membership (1950) and worship attendance (650) held despite both a
fire that totally destroyed the sanctuary and the previous pastor who surrendered credentials under
complaint. Rebuilt a $1.5 million sanctuary, which included a new a state of the art “Multimedia
Center.” Maintained operating budget at $1.2 million, and paid 100% apportionments for both years.
• 1993 – 2000: Cypress UMC (Cypress, Texas) – Church membership increased from 1400 to over
2000 during my seven year tenure. Brought healing to a troubled congregation after the surrender of
credentials of the previous pastor. Received over 800 new members, 384 of whom were received on
Profession of Faith. Developed a five year apportionment plan which resulted in 100% payout.
Partnered with an inner city African American congregation (Mallilieu UMC) for ministry and facility
expansion. Developed and implemented a multi-million dollar land purchase and capital expansion plan,
which positioned the church today for continued growth and ministry development.
• 1990 – 1993: Director of Teaching Ministries (Texas Conference) – Set up the first Office of
Teaching Ministries for the Texas Annual Conference. Brought the first Conference-wide Disciple Bible
Training to the conference. Assisted many congregations to develop “Book Table” Ministries.
• 1986 – 1990: Bear Creek UMC (Houston, Texas) – Served as Senior Associate pastor in charge of
program and program staff. Served on pastoral team that helped grow the membership from 2300 to
over 3300 during my four year tenure. Served as team leader for program and worship. Increased
2 worship attendance from just over 900 to over 1000. Bear Creek UMC did not pay 100% of its
apportionments.
• 1981 – 1985: Seminary, served part time as Assistant pastor at St. Andrews UMC in Ft. Worth, Texas
assisting Dr. Erik Purnell.
• 1974 – 1981: Part-time local pastor of Wyatt Memorial UMC, Amarillo, Texas (Northwest Texas
Conference) and Anahuac Circuit, Anahuac, Texas (Texas Conference)
 
General Church Leadership:
• 2004 to present – Jurisdictional Member of the Connectional Table, serving on planning and advisory
team, team leader for CT Joint Budgeting process with GCFA, and member of the search committee to
fill the position of Executive Secretary.
• 2004 Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee – Represented the Texas Conference delegation in seeking
and securing the assignment of Janice Riggle-Huie as Bishop of the Texas Conference.
• 2004 General Conference Delegate – Served on General Administration legislative committee that
disbanded the General Council on Ministry and helped to bring and pass legislation for the new
Connection Table of the United Methodist Church. Elected Chair of Reference Committee for a second
time.
• 2000 General Conference Delegate – Served on Judicial Administration legislative committee and help
develop the process to provide recourse to the church in matters related to pastoral misconduct. Elected
Chair of the Reference Committee which restructured the petition referral process at General
Conference.
• 1996 General Conference Delegate – Served on the Higher Education and Ministry Legislative
Committee. Elected Vice Chair of committee and helped bring legislation to the floor to pass the
Ministry Study.
• 1992 General Conference Delegate – Served on the Global Ministries Legislative Committee – Made
motion on floor of General Conference that passed the National Hispanic Plan.
 
Board Leadership Positions Held:
• Chair, Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
• President, Conference Council on Finance and Administration
• Chair, Houston Board of Missions Revitalization Committee
• Chair, Texas Methodist Foundation Board (Austin, Texas)
• Chair, Gulfside Long Range Planning Team - built the new Norris Hall (Waveland, MS.)
• Dean of the Cabinet
 
Other Areas of Service:
• Board of Trustees, Methodist Hospital System, Houston, Texas
• Board of Trustees, Lon Morris College, Jacksonville, Texas
• Board of Trustees, Methodist Retirement Services, The Woodlands, Texas
• Executive Board, Perkins School of Theology, SMU
• United Negro College Fund Campaign Committee
• Access to Equal Justice Board (Supreme Count appointee)
• YMCA