Bishop David Bard, Michigan Area United Methodist Church, makes an important announcement regarding the Superintendent of the Central Bay District.
LANSING MI | November 27, 2019 — Today, Michigan Conference Bishop David Alan Bard announced that he is placing the Rev. David Kim, District Superintendent of the Central Bay District, on suspension beginning December 1, 2019. Rev. Kim has been on paid leave from his position since November 1.
A complaint was filed against Rev. Kim November 15, 2019. According to The Book of Discipline, the laws and doctrine of The United Methodist Church, a complaint is a written and signed statement claiming misconduct or unsatisfactory performance of ministerial duties. Upon receiving a formal complaint, the Bishop has 90 days to carry out a supervisory response, the goal of which is an agreed-upon just resolution of the complaint. ¶362.1d of The Book of Discipline allows for a suspension of the person against whom the complaint is made when deemed appropriate to protect the well-being of any of the parties involved and/or the church itself. The suspension is not a pre-judgment of the complaint; rather, it is a means to care for the well-being of persons and the church. The suspension includes the continuation of pay and benefits. If a just resolution of the complaint is not achieved, the Bishop must either refer the complaint to the counsel for the church or dismiss it.
Bishop Bard intends to appoint an interim district superintendent for the Central Bay District. Further, a new permanent district superintendent will be appointed beginning July 1, 2020. Announcements about both will be made in the coming weeks. Pending the appointment of an interim superintendent, questions for the Central Bay district superintendent should be directed to the Bishop’s office through the Executive Assistant of the Central Bay District.
Central Bay represents approximately 80 local churches in the northeast corner of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Kim has served as a district superintendent since 2016, beginning with the former Saginaw Bay District. Prior to that, he was appointed as an associate pastor at Troy Korean United Methodist Church in Troy, Michigan.
Last Updated on November 27, 2019