By Mark Doyal, West Michigan Conference Director of Communications
For some it means preaching from the pulpit; for others, conducting missionary work or managing the church nursery.
For Thomas Cooper Shearer, serving Jesus Christ meant quietly sharing his remarkable gift for understanding law.
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.
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.
