Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Elects New Bishops and General Officers at 2026 General Conference

DALLAS, Texas – The Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church concluded its 40th Quadrennial and 41st Session of the General Conference on June 19, 2026, following a week of worship, business, and leadership elections held at the Hilton Anatole Center in Dallas, Texas.

Delegates elected three new bishops to serve the denomination, bringing the total number of elected bishops to 71 in the Church’s history. The newly elected bishops are:

• The Rt. Rev. Da’Henri Thurmond, Pastor of St. Paul CME Church in Savannah, Georgia, elected as the 69th Bishop.
• The Rt. Rev. Richard D. Shaw, Pastor of St. Matthew CME Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, elected as the 70th Bishop.
• The Rt. Rev. Leon C. Moore, General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions and Pastor of Anderson Chapel CME Church, elected as the 71st Bishop.

The General Conference also affirmed Bishop James B. Walker as the new Senior Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

In addition to the episcopal elections, delegates elected and confirmed several General Officers to lead key areas of denominational ministry and administration.

General Officers include:

• Dr. Victor Taylor, General Secretary of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
• Rev. Reginald Barnes, General Secretary of Personnel Services
• Dr. Shannon Faulk, General Secretary of Lay Ministries
• Rev. Kornelius Edward Neal, Editor of The Christian Index
• Mr. James Blackman, General Secretary of Ministry to Men
• Rev. Amina McIntyre, General Secretary of Christian Education and Formation
• Rev. Kenneth Hollingshed, General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions

During the General Conference, delegates approved the merger of the offices of General Secretary of Communication, Information, and Technology and General Secretary of Publications into a newly established position, which will be filled through a future hiring process.

The General Conference also elected members of the CME Church Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest judicial body.

Clergy Members Elected to the Judicial Council:

• Rev. Kevin Agee
• Rev. Dr. James Morris
• Rev. Roland Johnson
• Rev. Russell Fuller
• Dr. Koko Sunday Daniels

Lay Members Elected to the Judicial Council:

• Attorney Bernard Snell
• Attorney Tylynn F. J. Griffin
• Dr. Lynda Brown-Wright

Lay Alternates:

• Attorney Treena Williams
• Attorney Latoya Hutchinson
• Ms. Pamela Branch

Clergy Alternates:

• Rev. Travis A. Morris
• Rev. Tawana Harris
• Rev. Tracy Jackson

Episcopal assignments for the newly elected bishops and the Council of Bishops were scheduled to be announced on June 19, concluding a historic General Conference for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Star of Zion extends congratulations to the newly elected bishops, general officers, and Judicial Council members as they begin their service to the Church and its global mission.