David J. Lawson
Encyclopedia
David Jerald Lawson was an American
who gained notability as a Pastor
and University Campus Minister in The Methodist and United Methodist Church
s, as a District Superintendent and Annual Conference
official, and as a Bishop
of the United Methodist Church
, elected in 1984. He also played a key role establishing and developing Africa University, which is the only U.M.C. university
on the continent
.
and married Martha Ellen Pegram, also of Princeton. The Lawsons had two children: a son, John Mark, married to Louann (who have one son, Matthew); and a daughter, Karen Sue, married to Ray Eynon (who have two children, Rachel and Jacob).David also had a brother, John; married to Lilia ; with son Vlad
(A.B.
, 1955) and Garrett Biblical Institute
(B.D.
, 1959). Additional studies included graduate work in psychology
and counseling at Garrett and special studies in organizational development. Areas of independent studies included the Theology
of Ordination
, and the Ministry of Jesus
in Galilee
. He served as a trainer in leadership development, an instructor at the University of Evansville, a keynote speaker at several conferences on science and Christianity
, and leader of laity and clergy retreats. He and his wife also served as certified trainers for Marriage Enrichment. He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu
Social Science Honorary Fraternity.
Annual Conference
and was ordained a Deacon in the The Methodist Church in 1956. He became a Member in Full Connection and was ordained an Elder in 1959. Both ordinations were officiated by Bishop Richard C. Raines.
David's pastoral ministry included the Epworth Church (student pastor) in the Indiana Conference and the Wolcott Church (also student) in the Northwest Indiana Conference. Following seminary graduation, he was appointed to Carrollton and Tell City, then to the Wesley Foundation
at Indiana University
, then the Beech Grove Church in Indianapolis
. He was the Superintendent of the Evansville District and the Director of the South Indiana Conference Council on Ministries. He then was the Pastor of the Carmel Church (Indianapolis) when elected to the Episcopacy.
Prior to his election, David served as a delegate to the U.M.
North Central Jurisdictional Conference (1972–84) and General Conference (1976–84). In South Indiana, he served as Registrar and Chairperson of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and as Chairperson of the Conference Camping Commission.
Episcopal Area
(1984–92) and the Springfield
Area (1992–96). As a Bishop he served as Vice President of the U.M. General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (President of Division on Chaplains and Related Ministry), and as Vice President and President of the General Board of Discipleship (Chairperson of Long Range Planning Committee). He served as a member of the Steering Committee for Africa University (Chairperson of its Curriculum and Design Committee, and Chairperson of the Selection Committee for the first Dean of its School of Tehology).
Bishop Lawson also served as President of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches. He was the President of the U.M. North Central College of Bishops, and on various committees of the Council of Bishops (including chairing the Committee to Study the Ministry). He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council and President of its Committee on International Theological Education. Bishop Lawson also held many other responsibilities throughout the Church.
He served as a Trustee of many colleges and universities, including University of Evansville, North Central College
, Illinois Wesleyan University
, McKendree University, and MacMurray College
. He also served as a Trustee of hospitals, including Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin
, Methodist Medical Center of Peoria, Illinois
, and several retirement homes in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Following retirement in 1996, Bishop Lawson served as Bishop-in-Residence and a faculty member of the Perkins School of Theology
, Southern Methodist University
.
. In consultation with Dean (now Bishop) David K. Yemba, he wrote the Mission Statement for the University's Faculty
(School) of Theology
. "He probably lived and breathed Africa University for a while," said James Salley, the University's Associate Vice Chancellor
for Institutional Advancement, upon Bishop Lawson's death. "He will be greatly missed by all of us. He was a good friend of Africa University."
following a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old. A Memorial Service
celebrating Bishop Lawson's life was held Monday, 11 June 2007 at 1:30 p.m. E.D.T. in the sanctuary of the Saint Luke U.M.C., 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation with the family preceded the service. A private service with interment of ashes followed the Memorial Service. Bishop Lawson was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Bishop Michael J. Coyner called Lawson his "consecration bishop" as he recalled how Bishop Lawson preached at the 1996 Episcopal Consecration Service at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, at which Coyner was consecrated a Bishop. "Since that time, David has been a colleague, friend, advisor and supporter," Coyner told members of the 2007 North Indiana Annual Conference as he announced Lawson's death. "He once told me, 'I am one of your balcony people – encouraging you in your ministry as a Bishop.' I have felt and experienced his support, especially since I returned to Indiana three years ago. I will miss having him around to provide that kind of encouragement and advice." Bishop Coyner was at the time assigned the Indiana Episcopal Area.
The Rev. Lloyd M. Wright, a seminary classmate and lifelong ministerial colleague, said Lawson "shared a rich life of talent and love, a legacy long to be remembered." Mr. Wright said further, "David was a man of deep drives of passion for ministry. He could hold you spellbound as he described his spiritual development at the time of his ordination as Deacon and at his ordination of Elder. David spent much of his leadership time with boards of ordained ministry. He shared a real passion for making every step into the ordained ministry a step of faith and growth."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who gained notability as a Pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and University Campus Minister in The Methodist and United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
s, as a District Superintendent and Annual Conference
Annual Conference
An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church." Annual conferences are composed primarily of the clergy members and a lay member or members from each charge . Each conference is a geographical division...
official, and as a Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, elected in 1984. He also played a key role establishing and developing Africa University, which is the only U.M.C. university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
on the continent
Continent
A continent is one of several very large landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, with seven regions commonly regarded as continents—they are : Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.Plate tectonics is...
.
Birth and family
David was born in Princeton, IndianaPrinceton, Indiana
The median income for a household in the city was $26,689, and the median income for a family was $37,308. Males had a median income of $28,076 versus $19,825 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,049...
and married Martha Ellen Pegram, also of Princeton. The Lawsons had two children: a son, John Mark, married to Louann (who have one son, Matthew); and a daughter, Karen Sue, married to Ray Eynon (who have two children, Rachel and Jacob).David also had a brother, John; married to Lilia ; with son Vlad
Education
Lawson earned degrees from the University of EvansvilleUniversity of Evansville
The University of Evansville is a small, private university with approximately 3,050 students located in Evansville, Indiana. Founded in 1854 as Moores Hill College, it is located near the interchange of the Lloyd Expressway and U.S. Route 41. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
(A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, 1955) and Garrett Biblical Institute
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology of the United Methodist Church located in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1853, Garrett-Evangelical is on the campus of Northwestern University and continues many associations with the university...
(B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
, 1959). Additional studies included graduate work in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and counseling at Garrett and special studies in organizational development. Areas of independent studies included the Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
of Ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
, and the Ministry of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
in Galilee
Galilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
. He served as a trainer in leadership development, an instructor at the University of Evansville, a keynote speaker at several conferences on science and Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, and leader of laity and clergy retreats. He and his wife also served as certified trainers for Marriage Enrichment. He was a member of Pi Gamma Mu
Pi Gamma Mu
Pi Gamma Mu or ΠΓΜ is the oldest and preeminent honor society in the social sciences. It is also the only interdisciplinary social science honor society. It serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their...
Social Science Honorary Fraternity.
Ordained ministry
David was admitted to Probationary Membership in the IndianaIndiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
Annual Conference
Annual Conference
An Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church is a regional body that governs much of the life of the "Connectional Church." Annual conferences are composed primarily of the clergy members and a lay member or members from each charge . Each conference is a geographical division...
and was ordained a Deacon in the The Methodist Church in 1956. He became a Member in Full Connection and was ordained an Elder in 1959. Both ordinations were officiated by Bishop Richard C. Raines.
David's pastoral ministry included the Epworth Church (student pastor) in the Indiana Conference and the Wolcott Church (also student) in the Northwest Indiana Conference. Following seminary graduation, he was appointed to Carrollton and Tell City, then to the Wesley Foundation
Wesley Foundation
A Wesley Foundation is a United Methodist campus ministry sponsored in full or in part by the United Methodist Church on a non-church owned and operated campus...
at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, then the Beech Grove Church in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He was the Superintendent of the Evansville District and the Director of the South Indiana Conference Council on Ministries. He then was the Pastor of the Carmel Church (Indianapolis) when elected to the Episcopacy.
Prior to his election, David served as a delegate to the U.M.
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
North Central Jurisdictional Conference (1972–84) and General Conference (1976–84). In South Indiana, he served as Registrar and Chairperson of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and as Chairperson of the Conference Camping Commission.
Episcopal ministry
Elected to the Episcopacy by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference of the U.M.C. in 1984, Bishop Lawson was assigned the WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
Episcopal Area
Episcopal Area
An Episcopal Area in the United Methodist Church is a basic unit of this denomination. It is a region presided over by a resident bishop that is similar to a diocese in other Christian denominations. Each annual conference in the UMC is within a single episcopal area; some episcopal areas...
(1984–92) and the Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
Area (1992–96). As a Bishop he served as Vice President of the U.M. General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (President of Division on Chaplains and Related Ministry), and as Vice President and President of the General Board of Discipleship (Chairperson of Long Range Planning Committee). He served as a member of the Steering Committee for Africa University (Chairperson of its Curriculum and Design Committee, and Chairperson of the Selection Committee for the first Dean of its School of Tehology).
Bishop Lawson also served as President of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches. He was the President of the U.M. North Central College of Bishops, and on various committees of the Council of Bishops (including chairing the Committee to Study the Ministry). He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council and President of its Committee on International Theological Education. Bishop Lawson also held many other responsibilities throughout the Church.
He served as a Trustee of many colleges and universities, including University of Evansville, North Central College
North Central College
North Central College is a leading liberal arts college providing students at different stages of life and from different ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds with comprehensive educational programs.-Academics:...
, Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate university located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856...
, McKendree University, and MacMurray College
MacMurray College
MacMurray College is a career-directed liberal arts college located in Jacksonville, Illinois. Its enrollment in fall 2011 was 548. It is from Springfield and from Chicago....
. He also served as a Trustee of hospitals, including Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, Methodist Medical Center of Peoria, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, and several retirement homes in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Following retirement in 1996, Bishop Lawson served as Bishop-in-Residence and a faculty member of the Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology
Perkins School of Theology is one of Southern Methodist University's three original schools. The theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J...
, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
.
Founding of Africa University
Bishop Lawson served on the Site Selection Committee for A.U., helping to select the site at Old Mutare, ZimbabweZimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. In consultation with Dean (now Bishop) David K. Yemba, he wrote the Mission Statement for the University's Faculty
Faculty (university)
A faculty is a division within a university comprising one subject area, or a number of related subject areas...
(School) of Theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
. "He probably lived and breathed Africa University for a while," said James Salley, the University's Associate Vice Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
for Institutional Advancement, upon Bishop Lawson's death. "He will be greatly missed by all of us. He was a good friend of Africa University."
Death and funeral
Bishop David Jerald Lawson died 31 May 2007 at his home in Franklin, IndianaFranklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
following a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old. A Memorial Service
Memorial service
Memorial service is often used to describe a secular or non-religious funeral. A funeral is a religious service that is held with or without the body of the deceased present...
celebrating Bishop Lawson's life was held Monday, 11 June 2007 at 1:30 p.m. E.D.T. in the sanctuary of the Saint Luke U.M.C., 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN. Visitation with the family preceded the service. A private service with interment of ashes followed the Memorial Service. Bishop Lawson was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Remembrances
Retired U.M. Bishop J. Woodrow Hearn called David Lawson "an extremely inisightful leader," dedicated to the mission of the Church. "He had always carried out his responsibilities with a warm heart, a loving interest in people and was dedicated to helping the world move toward the goal of being a part of the kingdom of God."Bishop Michael J. Coyner called Lawson his "consecration bishop" as he recalled how Bishop Lawson preached at the 1996 Episcopal Consecration Service at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, at which Coyner was consecrated a Bishop. "Since that time, David has been a colleague, friend, advisor and supporter," Coyner told members of the 2007 North Indiana Annual Conference as he announced Lawson's death. "He once told me, 'I am one of your balcony people – encouraging you in your ministry as a Bishop.' I have felt and experienced his support, especially since I returned to Indiana three years ago. I will miss having him around to provide that kind of encouragement and advice." Bishop Coyner was at the time assigned the Indiana Episcopal Area.
The Rev. Lloyd M. Wright, a seminary classmate and lifelong ministerial colleague, said Lawson "shared a rich life of talent and love, a legacy long to be remembered." Mr. Wright said further, "David was a man of deep drives of passion for ministry. He could hold you spellbound as he described his spiritual development at the time of his ordination as Deacon and at his ordination of Elder. David spent much of his leadership time with boards of ordained ministry. He shared a real passion for making every step into the ordained ministry a step of faith and growth."