Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Rev. Frank Beard, pastor of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, has been appointed district superintendent for the Kokomo District of the United Methodist Church. His last Sunday at Walnut Creek will be June 13.
Beard, who came to Warsaw Jan. 1, 1997, and his wife, Melissa, have two daughters, Eleanor, 20, and Emily, 18. His philosophy on religion is, "I long to see revival come to the body of Christ and to the United Methodist Church. I love to preach and teach." He is active in religious activities in the community, including involvement with the Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association.
A self-proclaimed "people person," Beard relates to the young as well as the young at heart. Outside the ministry, he enjoys antiques, old cars ("just looking at them - you would not want me to try repairs"), most major sports, camping and cooking (eating, too).
His real love, however, is fishing. "I'm an avid fisherman. I love fishing! Fishing is recreational therapy," he said.
Beard was born in Blytheville, Ark., the 11th child and the second of twin boys. In 1966, the family moved to Elkhart and began attending a United Methodist Church. He graduated with honors in 1975 from Elkhart Central High School. His ministerial involvement started as a teenager with Lay Witness Mission.
He received his bachelor's degree in biblical literature from Taylor University, Upland, in 1979, where he served several leadership roles, including president of his freshman and senior classes and president of the Black Cultural Society. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary from 1979 to 1982 and received his master's of divinity degree. Upon graduation, he became a North Indiana Conference probationary member and pastored at New Hope UMC, Anderson.
Beard was ordained as a full member in the North Indiana Conference in 1985, and served at Beamer UMC, Kokomo, from 1986 to July 1993, at which time he was appointed associate pastor at Faith UMC, Elkhart.
Post-graduate work includes receiving his master's degree in sacred theology from Christian Theological Seminary in 1986. He continues studies at Asbury for his doctorate of ministry degree in church growth.
Beard represents more than 110,000 North Indiana United Methodists at the denomination's top legislative meeting, which started Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Pa. He heads the 12-member (half laity, half clergy) North Indiana Conference delegation. Delegates were selected at the North Indiana Annual Conference in May 2003.
The General Conference meets once every four years and is the only body that speaks officially for the 10-million member worldwide church. Beard is one of 998 delegates. The first General Conference was held in Boston, Mass., in 1784.
Fresh on the minds of delegates is the recent acquittal of the Rev. Karen Dammann, a self-avowed lesbian clergywoman who was permitted to return to her pastoral appointment in Ellensburgh, Wash., after being acquitted in a Bothell, Wash., church trial last month. She was charged for living a lifestyle "incompatible with Christian teaching."
"The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church," the church's law book, prohibits "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" from being ordained or appointed to serve in a United Methodist congregation.
The Dammann ruling has ignited strong reactions that will be debated in the conference. Homosexuality has been a controversial issue for every General Conference since 1972. Beard said, "I do not believe the denomination will split over the issue of homosexuality alone. I am concerned, however, about the possible gap on the issue of biblical authority and the 'lordship' of Jesus Christ. My hope is that our denomination will spend more of its energy and resources on our stated mission: 'making disciples for Jesus Christ.'"
More than 1,500 petitions (or requests for change) have been submitted to the 2004 conference, covering everything from homosexuality and abortion to concerns over church structure, pension plans and procedural issues. The first week of General Conference will include 11 standing committees considering each of the petitions. The second week, committees will bring petitions to the entire legislative body for approval or disapproval.
The 2004 General Conference petitions may be viewed at www.umc.org For more information on the 2004 General Conference, visit www.gc2004.org
