Bishop David Graves' Reflections on The Gathering 2026

November 04, 2026

Leadership

As we entered October, Nancy and I along with 63 others from the Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area participated in the Wesley Heritage Tour in England. We visited the places that Charles and John Wesley gave birth to the Methodist movement.

One of those special places was Christ Church, Oxford where Charles and John were ordained as Anglican priests. The Dean of Christ Church gave me permission to climb the stairs into the pulpit where the word of God has been proclaimed since 1525. As I stood in the pulpit, my spirit was overwhelmed with the journey that God has blessed my 47 years of ministry.

Three days following my return to the states, it was time to journey to Calgary, Canada for the Bishop’s Leadership Gathering that was originated in late 2024. Designed to bring United Methodist together from all over the world.

Each bishop was to nominate 3 people from each Episcopal Area to attend. There are hundreds of you that I could have nominated. Three people out of the over Two Hundred Thousand which make up the 850 churches in the Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area. Of the three persons, only one could be clergy, two laity, one of which would be 35 or under. One would be a person of color.

After prayer and discernment. God led me to select one person from each of the three annual conferences, Central Appalachia Missionary, Kentucky, and Tennessee-Western Kentucky. I invited and thankful for their saying, yes:

Central Appalachia Missionary Conference: Whitley Henson, Communications Director of the Conference

Kentucky: Sarah McGinnes, Communications Director of Lexington, KY First United Methodist Church.

Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference: Rev. Dr, Stephen Handy, Pastor of McKendree UMC, Nashville and Associate to the District Superintendent.

I appreciate their sacrifice of time, preparation to participate, being present and giving leadership in Calgary and now sharing their experiences with you.

On a personal note, I prepared myself to attend with an open mind and the leading of the Holy Spirit. I am still processing all that I experienced. It was a blessing to just be present, participate, and not have to lead anything, Moreover, be in a room where one third of those in attendance were 35 and younger, to listen to others and come to consensus agreement without voting on anything, hearing dreams and vision for the future church while realizing we need to deal with and make tough decisions moving forward.

My greatest take away was that I experienced that we could make Holy Spirit consensus decisions without tearing down each other. I have so much to learn from others which starts with listening. It is all about relationships and discipleship.

Much has been written about the Leadership Gathering. More will come.