Bishop David Bard and Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai announce that they will continue their current episcopal duties through the end of this quadrennium in 2028.
BISHOP DAVID ALAN BARD
Michigan Conference
BISHOP KENNETHA BIGHAM-TSAI
Iowa Conference
At the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in July 2024, we were assigned to share episcopal leadership for the Illinois Great Rivers Conference while also continuing our previous assignments in the Michigan and Iowa conferences. We want to express our deep appreciation to each of these conferences for your openness to this unique arrangement and for your support of us during this time.
As initially envisioned, our shared leadership of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference would have two distinct movements. Bishop Bard was going to be the primary bishop for the first two years, meeting regularly with the appointive cabinet and caring for many of the day-to-day responsibilities of a bishop. Bishop Bigham-Tsai would lead efforts to connect with United Methodist institutions of higher learning, Wesley Foundations, and other extension ministry sites, as well as nurture justice ministries and special initiatives, along with leading the exploration of potential cooperative possibilities between the Iowa and Illinois Great Rivers Conferences. We both share in significant decisions about such matters as conference staff, and we have shared leadership at annual conference.
Now in the second year of our shared leadership, and in consultation with the NCJ Committee on the Episcopacy, we have determined that a significant mid-quadrennium shift in leadership responsibilities would not be in the best interest of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. In a time when so much is changing, a greater continuity in responsibilities seems more helpful. Therefore, we will continue our present responsibilities through the end of the quadrennium.
We know this is a change from expectations, but after significant conversation together and with the NCJ COE, we think it is best. We trust that all three of the conferences involved will continue to offer their prayers and support to us and to one another as together we engage in the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, disciples who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
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Last Updated on March 17, 2026