| Methodists in Puerto Rico Elect New Bishop | |||||||||||||
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New York, NY, November 18, 2009--A clergyman who is also a trained musician is the bishop-elect of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico. The Rev. Dr. Rafael Moreno Rivas, pastor of the University Methodist Church in Rio Piedras since 2000, was elected at a special session of the church's General Conference, meeting on Saturday, November 14. He will assume the new position on January 1, when the term of Bishop Juan A. Vera ends. Bishops in the Puerto Rican Methodist Church serve six-year terms. Bishop Moreno was raised in Santurce. He describes himself as a little boy as "tall, skinny, and black." His father was Black and his mother a native of Java. He grew up in a Methodist home and showed early ability in music. He worked nine years as a music teacher and was ordained as a Methodist deacon in 1978 and as an elder in 1981. The autonomous Methodist Church of Puerto Rico traces its roots to missionaries from the United States around 1900. It was for many years linked to what is today The United Methodist Church, becoming fully autonomous in 1992. The church has some 12,000 members and 170 pastors. It is a member of the World Council of Churches and continues strong fraternal relations with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
The new bishop has been active at many levels of both the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico and The United Methodist Church. He was the pastor of eight congregations in the years between 1978 and today. He served as a delegate to the United Methodist General Conference prior to autonomy, and was a district superintendent from 1992-1998. Rafael Moreno Rivas attended the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras and the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, receiving a degree in vocal performance in 1974. He then learned a master's degree in music education from the University of Illinois. He received his theological training at the Christian Theological Seminary in Puerto Rica, graduating in 1980. He earned his PhD in religion, culture, and social behavior from Boston University in 1998. He says that despite all his degrees and years in higher education, he remains a "full-time student at the Yahweh School of Daily Living." His other involvements and accomplishments include:
Bishop Moreno says that his particular style of leadership as bishop will focus on pastoral care, "rooted in personal, authentic life experiences with Jesus Christ, anchored in the Bible as God's Word, interpreted in the Wesleyan tradition." He projects himself as a bishop who "serves, shares, and accomplishes in solidarity with everyone."
Date posted: Nov 18, 2009 |
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