By Mark Doyal, West Michigan Conference Director of Communications
Ministry appears in many forms.
For some it means preaching from the pulpit; for others, conducting missionary work or managing the church nursery.
Tom served as the West Michigan Conference Chancellor for nearly 17 years before passing away unexpectedly March 12. He was 72.
“His knowledge and love of the church, combined with his legal knowledge has been a blessing to our conference,” Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton said. “Tom was our ‘go-to guy’ and he provided a crucial and unique form of ministry through his professional services.”
The conference chancellor is a quiet, behind the scenes form of ministry.
Nominated by the bishop and elected at annual conference, the chancellor serves as the legal advisor to the bishop and the annual conference. As legal matters develop within the conference, local churches call their district superintendents and ultimately the bishop’s office for advice and guidance.
The bishop then often seeks counsel from the chancellor.
Tom was credited with expanding the role of the chancellor from the original position established in the mid-1970s.
“Because of Tom’s familiarity and understanding of the Discipline of the United Methodist Church, and his professional legal knowledge, he could always be counted to provide good, sound advice,” said Terry Euper, Clergy Assistant to the Bishop, “When I was first appointed I did not know Tom Shearer, but he very quickly became my new best friend. I called him constantly for legal advice and counsel.”
David Lundquist, a former conference chancellor and colleague of Tom’s, recalled him to be a worthy opponent, but always a friend.
“I always cherished the times Tom and I found ourselves involved in a legal or disciplinary issue affecting the Annual Conference. Most of the time we agreed with each other - but sometimes we didn't,” recalled Lundquist. “That's the life of lawyers who can be on differing sides of an issue and at the same time remain good friends. That was surely my experience with Tom.”
Shearer’s gifts to The United Methodist Church extended well beyond his commitment to the conference.
He was a Bay View Association board member and president, Clark Retirement Community Board and Foundation member, member of the Board of Trustees of Albion College and member of First United Methodist Church of Grand Rapids, where he held multiple leadership positions.
“He was always warm and friendly, always available, and always helpful giving advice and counsel in lay terminology that even I could understand,” Euper said. “He has provided a wonderful service to the West Michigan Annual Conference and will be missed greatly.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment