The Council of Bishops has nominated and elected Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut to serve as the next Chair of The United Methodist Church’s Connectional Table. Bishop Mande Muyombo is concluding his service in this role as he prepares to assume his responsibilities as President-Designate of the Council of Bishops. This appointment represents both a significant honor and a profound responsibility, and we celebrate Bishop Rapanut’s willingness to answer this call to denominational leadership. We ask for your prayers for Bishop Rapanut, Radie, Titus, and Caleb as they prepare for this new season of ministry.

Bishop Rapanut is exceptionally well prepared for this role through a diverse and distinguished record of service throughout the denomination. He began his ministry in the Philippines before being called to increasing levels of leadership within the Greater Northwest Area. Following his election to the episcopacy in 2022, he was assigned to the Desert Southwest Conference and, in 2023, also assumed episcopal leadership of the New Mexico Conference.

“I come to the table not from the center but from the margins, and I intend to lead from that perspective as together we discern how best to match resources with ministries to form spirit empowered, boldly loving, joyfully serving, and courageously leading disciples, allowing us to become the church God is calling us to be,” said Bishop Carlo. Click for COB announcement

While this additional responsibility will require a significant investment of time, particularly as Bishop becomes acquainted with the work of the Connectional Table, it will not diminish his commitment to the episcopal supervision and leadership of either conference. In fact, this appointment offers a unique blessing to our annual conferences. Not only will our bishop have a voice in the conversations and decisions that help shape the future of our denomination, but he will also provide leadership to the body charged with discerning and articulating that vision. The insight, relationships, and experience gained through this role will strengthen our conferences, our clergy, and our local churches as we continue to participate in Christ’s mission together.

As the denomination’s primary coordinating body, the Connectional Table brings together leaders from across The United Methodist Church to help align vision, mission, ministry, and resources in service to the church’s witness in the world. Bishop Rapanut’s election as Chair reflects the confidence and trust placed in his leadership by colleagues across the connection, and it provides an opportunity for the New Mexico and Desert Southwest Conferences to be represented at the highest levels of denominational leadership.

We offer our congratulations to Bishop Rapanut and give thanks for his continued service to Christ and The United Methodist Church. May God grant him wisdom, strength, and grace as he begins this important work.