Benchmarks in the life of Bishop Lawson

Born March 26, 1930, in Princeton, Ind.
Married Martha Ellen Pegram of Princeton
Degrees: University of Evansville, AB 1955 and Garrett Biblical Institute, BD 1959
Trainer in leadership development, and instructor at the University of Evansville, Certified trainer for Marriage Enrichment
Member: Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honorary Fraternity
Pastoral ministry: Epworth, Wolcott, Carrollton, Tell City, IU Wesley Foundation, Beech Grove, Carmel
Evansville District Superintendent
Director of South Indiana Conference Council on Ministries
Delegate to North Central Jurisdictional Conference (1972-84) and to General Conference (1976-84)
Elected bishop 1984 and assigned to Wisconsin Area (1984-92) and Illinois Area (1992-96)
Vice President of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (President of Division on Chaplains and Related Ministry)
Vice President and President of the General Board of Discipleship (and Chairperson of Long Range Planning Committee)
Member Steering Committee for Africa University (Chairperson of its Curriculum and Design Committee and of the Selection Committee for first Dean of School of Theology).
President of the Wisconsin Conference of Churches
President of the North Central College of Bishops
Chairperson of the Committee to Study the Ministry
Member, executive committee of the World Methodist Council and president of its Committee on International Theological Education.
Bishop-in-Residence at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas.
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)
Died, Thursday, May 31, 2007 at his home in Franklin, Ind.
Memorial service, June 11, St. Luke's UMC, Indianapolis with interment of ashes at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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