An Address to the Special Session of Annual Conference 2022
Sept. 18
The Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church came together for a Special Session of the 2022 Annual Conference on Sept. 17 to take action on 81 disaffiliation petitions to adopt the 2023 Conference budget. Prior to voting on the issues of the day, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., offered a stirring address in which he did not shy from the angst and obstacles of the day while eagerly reestablishing that we are people of hope and promise in Jesus Christ. You may view a replay and/or pdf of that address by clicking here or the title above.
A Call to Prayer & Action in Response to Gun Violence
Sept. 5
Bishop Saenz invites and encourages all Central Texas United Methodists (as well as Christians everywhere) to join in daily prayer, study, reflection and action as we seek the transformation of the gun violence culture that continues to devastate lives in our communities, state, world and even in our family/friend circles. Read more by clicking here or the title above.
It's Game-Time!
Aug. 18
Bishop Saenz trades his sport coat and tie for a coach’s hat and whistle and shares a rousing “pre-game pep talk” to the CTC as churches begin to emerge from their summer schedules and ramp up their disciple-making ministries and community outreach initiatives for this fall and beyond. “The off-season is over! It’s game-time!” Bishop exclaims. “Let’s get back in spiritual shape so we can win in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” To view the video, click here or the title above.
A Special "Back to School" Message for 2022-23
Aug. 10
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. offers a special Back to School message to let students, teachers and parents all know that the CTC is praying for them all as they engage in discussions and study throughout the new school year. For more and to view and/or download this video please go here or click the title above.
"What Can I do If My Church Disaffiliates but I Want to #BeUMC?"
Aug. 1
After hearing from many of the laity across the Central Texas Conference who wish to #BeUMC, but their church is being guided toward disaffiliation by church leadership, Bishop Saenz and the Central Texas Cabinet compiled a list of ideas for how to advocate for your church to remain in The UMC. Read more here or by clicking the title above.
Dr. Tim Bruster Named as CTC Director of Finance & Administration
July 28
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., has announced that Dr. Tim Bruster will join the Conference staff as the Director of Finance and Administrative Services. In his role, Tim will be a member of the Cabinet and serve as the staff liaison for the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, Conference Trustees, Conference Board of Pensions, and other duties as described in ¶619.2 of the UMC Book of Discipline. To read more from Bishop Saenz and Dr. Bruster, click here or the title above.
Facebook Live Event w/Bishop Saenz & Darlene Alfred Set for July 26
July 20
Bishop Saenz and CTC Lay Leader Darlene Alfred convened a Special Facebook Live even on July 26 to discuss their hopes for the future of the CTC and The UMC as well as provided some updates as to where we are in the disaffiliation process. A replay is available on the CTC Facebook page and/or by clicking this link or the title above.
Bishop Saenz Formally Calls for Special Session of Annual Conference
July 7
In accordance with the Conference's standing rules (Guiding Principles and Best Practices) and ¶603.5 of the Book of Discipline, Bishop Saenz has called for a special session of the Central Texas Annual Conference on Sept. 17, 2022, beginning at 9:30 a.m. CDT. The special session will be conducted in person at Arborlawn United Methodist Church. Read more here or by clicking the title above.
Responding as the Church to the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
June 25
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., has issued a statement in response to the June 24 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the 1973 Roe-v-Wade decision urging churches to engage in ministries with women and children that ensure they have the resources and support they need — not just prior to birth and during the birthing process, but after the child is born well into the age of adulthood. He also asks for prayer that the Lord give wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6) to decision makers at the state and federal levels regarding this highly partisan and defining issue. Please click here or the title above to read that statement.
Bishop Saenz Offers His Episcopal Address for 2022
June 13
On Monday, June 13, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., delivered his first Episcopal Address as the Resident Bishop of the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. In his address, Bishop Saenz shared his high hopes for the Conference - its churches, leaders, people and its mission field. He also communicated his vision for how the conference will reimangine discipleship for a changing world and his direct and honest assessment of where the CTC stands regarding churches discerning disaffiliation and what we can expect as we move forward in this process. Click here or the title above to view and/or read his address.
Pentecost Stretch - A Message for Pentecost 2022
June 5
In his 2022 Message for Pentecost, Bishop Saenz focuses on the diversity found on the first Pentecost and the vital work our churches, conference and connection have to diversify our congregations to fulfill Christ's apostolic vision. Read the 2022 message for Pentecost here or by clicking the title above.
Nov. 2-5 Officially Set as Dates for 2022 Jurisdictional Conferences
May 27
In response to Judicial Council decision 1445, the Council of Bishops (COB) has formally set the dates for regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened November 2-5, 2022. Read more here or click the title link above.
Online Prayer Vigil for Uvalde, Texas with Bishop Saenz
May 25
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. invites all of the Central Texas Conference, and people of faith everywhere, to an online prayer vigil in response to the May 24 deadly shootings at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas. The online vigil will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26 and will be hosted on Bishop Saenz's Facebook page (facebook.com/BishopSaenz). Read more here or by clicking the title above.
Central Texas Cabinet Appointments Announced
May 25
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has announced three new appointments to the CTC Cabinet - Rev. Danny Tenney (North and West District Superintendent); Rev. Lara Franklin ( Executive Director of the Roberts Center for Clergy Leadership); and Dr. Will Cotton (Executive Director of the Smith Center for Evangelism, Mission & Church Growth/District Superintendent of the New Church Start District). For more details and insights from Bishop Saenz, go to ctcumc.org/central-texas-cabinet-appointments-announced-may2022 or click the title above.
Transistions in the Roberts Center for Leadership & Administration Announced
May 24
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. announced that Jeff Roper, executive director of the Roberts Center for Leadership and Administration/Conference Benefits Officer, has decided to retire at the end of June 2021. Scott Brewer, Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services for the Great Plains Conference will provide strategic oversight for the CTC Finance & Administration team. Click here or the title above for more.
The CTC is United in Mission & Excited About the Future
May 23
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. met with close to 600 members of the Central Texas Conference in person (700-plus with the online audience on Sunday) for a series of three Assembly meetings at churches across the conference on May 21-22. Each of the sessions featured a 40-45 minute presentation from Bishop Saenz on his vision for Moving Forward in The UMC followed by a Q&A session. A replay of the Sunday night live webcast video and PowerPoint slides from all three meetings is available here or by clicking the title above.
District Meetings Announced on Moving Forward as The UMC
May 5
Bishop Saenz has announced a series of three live Assembly meetings designed to explore and discuss how the CTC is and will be moving forward in our disciple making mission as an active and vital part of the United Methodist connection. See the dates, times and locations of those meetings and more by clicking here or the title above.
Rev. Dr. Mike Lowry Resigns Position as UMC Bishop
April 29
Bishop Saenz has sent a letter to all Clergy and Laity of the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church in regards to Bishop Mike Lowry resigning his position as a UMC Bishop. Click here or the title above to read the letter from Bishop Saenz.
Direction for CTC Committee/Board/Council/Team Chairpersons
April 11
Bishop Saenz directs chairs of Central Texas Conference committees, boards, councils and teams as to how to best manage committee/board/council/team members who may have prayerfully discerned to disaffiliate from the UMC. Read more here or by clicking the title above.
Updates & Information on Disaffiliation Process
April 7
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has released a video updating the Central Texas Conference's official procedures of disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church. In the video, Bishop Saenz shares updates on a church’s ability to take as much time as needed to prayerfully consider all disaffiliation before making any decisions, recent Trustees’ decision that makes ¶2553 the primary path of disaffiliation; speculated “comity agreements”; and dates for the Zoom meeting on the official disaffiliation process. Click here or the title above to view the video and for more details.
Bishop Saenz Shares Why He is Choosing to #BeUMC
March 29
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has released a video statement declaring his intentions to remain with The United Methodist Church and sharing his why he is choosing to #BeUMC. To view the video and/or read the transcipt, follow this link or click the title above.
WCA Informational Meetings for GMC Not Sanctioned
March 25
Bishop Saenz has issued a statement to clear up any misconceptions regarding his sanctioning or endorsement of a series of informational meetings about the Global Methodist Church. Neither Bishop Saenz, the Cabinet nor any CTC-related organization has sanctioned nor endorses these meetings. Please read Bishop Saenz statement by clicking here or the title above.
Information on the Central Texas Conference Process for Disaffiliation
March 24
Bishop Saenz and the Cabinet, well aware that parties inside and outside of the CTC are sharing information with churches, clergy and laity regarding procedures for disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church, provide an update on the official Central Texas Conference process for disaffiliation. Click here or the title above for more.
Prayers for, Financial Support of Wildfire Relief & Recovery
March 23
Bishop Saenz offers an update on the relief and recovery efforts underway in response to the recent wildfires in the western part of the conference. As in all active disaster situations, the best way anyone can help at this time is to pray. Financial support is also needed at this time. There will be opportunities to assist in the clean up and recovery in the coming weeks, but in the short term, any donations other than monetary would be more of a hindrance than help. A short video message from Bishop Saenz is available here or via the title link above.
Bishop Saenz Responds to the Postponement of General Conference to 2024
March 3
The Commission on General Conference has officially announced the further postponement of the worldwide gathering of delegates to conduct the business of The United Methodist Church, until the regularly scheduled General Conference in May 2024. Click here or the title above to listen to/read Bishop Saenz's response to the announcement.
Bishop Saenz Announces "Cross Walk" - A 2022 Lenten Devotional Series
Feb 25
Beginning Ash Wednesday (March 2) and continuing through Good Friday (April 15), Bishop Saenz is offering a new video series for Lent he’s calling “Cross Walk.” This Lenten journey is a contemplative pilgrimage through the drama and chief scenes of Christ’s sufferings, death, and burial based on fourteen biblical Stations of the Cross found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Visit ctcumc.org/crosswalk to access the series or click the title above.
Prayers Requested for Ukraine
Feb. 24
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr is calling on the people of the Central Texas Conference and Christians everywhere to pray for the people and leadership of Ukraine following an unprovoked military invasion from Russia, including Bishop Eduard Khegay, bishop of both Russia and Ukraine that he might shepherd congregations on both sides of the conflict with grace. Click here or the title above for more.
Clergy & Congregational Quick Insight Surveys Open Through Feb. 25
Feb. 2
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. is inviting the people of the Central Texas Conference to complete a very short survey so that he might gain some valuable insights as to how clergy and laity feel about their churches, ministries and conference – what we do well and where we believe we have opportunities to do more. Access the surveys and learn more at ctcumc.org/CTC-quick-insight-surveys-2022 or by clicking the title above.
Responding to the Hostage Standoff at Jewish Synagogue in Colleyville.
Jan. 20
Following the an extended hostage situation at a Jewish synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., issued a letter to the clergy, laity and churches of the Conference calling for prayer and loving/grace-filled actions in ending violence and hatred in our communities, nation and world. Read the letter here or by clicking the title above.
MLK Day 2022 - A Message of Acceptance, Equality, Unity & Justice
Jan. 17
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. offers a video message in celebration of the life, work and impact of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of Martin Luther King Day 2022 . As he reflects on the significance of MLK Day, a day first commemorated in 1986, Bishop Saenz reminds just how relevant Dr. King's message of acceptance, equality, unity, and justice is for today. The video is available here or by clicking the title above.
A Message of Greeting and Introduction to the CTC
Jan. 14
In his first video message to the Central Texas Conference as its episcopal leader, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. greets the people of the CTC and shares a little about his background and family, his energy and excitement for the opportunity to serve as bishop in the CTC and touches on some early opportunities to get meet and work with him in the coming weeks. Follow this link or click the title above to view the video in English and/or Spanish.
BSA Bankruptcy Settlement Agreement
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Jan. 13
The United Methodist Church has reached a Settlement Agreement in the Boy Scouts of America Bankruptcy case (pending court approval). Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central Texas Conference, comments on the settlement agreement in a letter to all CTC clergy and churches. Click here or the title above to read Bishop Saenz's letter.