2026 Guiding Principles for the Practice of the Appointment
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, Ohio Episcopal Area

1. Prayer-Centered Discernment
   The appointment system is not primarily an administrative process, but a spiritual act of
   discernment. Appointments are made through prayerful collaboration among the bishop, district superintendents, and Conference leaders, acting as one Cabinet, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2. Faithful Matching of Gifts and Missional Needs
   Appointments seek not mere placement, but missional alignment. Clergy gifts, theological grounding, personality, and experience are prayerfully matched with the
   mission, context, challenges, and future vision of each congregation.
3. Honoring Ordination Vows and the Open Itinerant Tradition
   At ordination, clergy covenant to serve within the appointment system. While social, economic, and family realities are carefully considered, the Church remains
   committed to fairness, openness, and the historic itinerant tradition of The United Methodist Church.
4. Transparent Dialogue and Equitable Opportunity
   Through honest conversation between clergy and district superintendents, conditions and
   concerns may be named. At the same time, the appointment system must ensure equitable opportunity across the whole Conference, grounded in objectivity and shared responsibility.
5. Sustaining a Year-Round Appointment Pipeline
   Clergy supply is a continual challenge and responsibility. The Conference commits to strengthening a year-round pipeline that allows for timely, coordinated, and responsive appointments whenever opportunities arise.
6. Open, Timely, and Rigorous Clergy Recruitment
   In recruiting from seminaries, other conferences, and other denominations, the appointment system requires swift, careful, and transparent processes of evaluation, ensuring both missional openness and integrity.
7. Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
   The appointment system embodies the Church’s commitment to racial diversity, gender equity, and the full inclusion of all persons. Cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments are affirmed as a vital strength and a faithful witness to God’s justice and grace.
8. Shared Trust and Cabinet Accountability
   Appointments are not determined by individual authority or dominance. They emerge from mutual trust, listening, and accountability among Cabinet members, grounded in prayer, respect, and shared discernment.
9. Cross-Conference Appointments and Faithful Risk-Taking
   As East Ohio and West Ohio move toward deeper connection, the appointment system becomes a gateway to new possibilities. Cross-conference appointments are actively considered, accompanied by faithful risk-taking and bold vision.
10. Strategic Appointments for New Communities
    The appointment system is a primary instrument for church planting and the formation of new faith communities. The Conferences and districts share responsibility for deploying strong leaders and investing resources toward the goal of establishing 100 new faith communities across Ohio.
11. Integrating Clergy, Lay Ministers, and Specialized Ministries Leaders
    Appointments recognize the vital partnership of ordained clergy, lay ministers, and
    specialized professionals. District committees and the wider clergy community collaborate openly to support clergy well-being and sustainable ministry.
12. Minimum Tenure, Mentoring, and Long-Term Fruitfulness
    A minimum tenure of five years is honored whenever possible, enabling clergy to lead faithfully, innovate courageously, and nurture congregational growth. Mentoring and peer mentoring are embedded within the appointment system to strengthen discipleship, vitality, and long-term fruitfulness in local churches.

Concluding Affirmation
The appointment system is not perfect. Yet it remains a foundational expression of United Methodist connectional theology – a means by which God continues to open new possibilities for the Church’s mission, witness, and future.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announces the following appointments and assignments:

Below is a list of the appointments and assignments as set by the Appointive Cabinet and by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. If you have any questions please email Jill Philipp, Dir. of District and Episcopal Administrative Services. You can access the 2025 Appointments list and the Extension Ministries appointments list, effective July 1, 2025, online by clicking here.