Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
For Immediate Release
November 6, 2025
Bishop Saenz Elected as New President of the Council of Bishops
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr. who serves as resident bishop of the Horizon Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church was today elected as the next president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church during the bishops’ online meeting. He previously served as president-designate for the Council.
Bishop Mande Muyombo, the resident bishop of the North Katanga Area in the Mid Africa Central Conference, was elected as president-designate.
Bishop Lanette L. Plambeck who serves the Dakotas-Minnesota Area was elected as secretary for the Council.
The current officers are Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president; Bishop Saenz, president-designate; and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, secretary.
The new officers will take office at the end of the Spring 2026 COB meeting and will serve for two years.
"I am deeply honored and humbled by my election as the next President of the Council of Bishops. With God’s help, I will walk with the church, faithfully stewarding, upholding, and extending our sacred mission throughout the world. Together, we will strive to pass on a vibrant faith rooted in Christ’s love and our Wesleyan heritage that invites and welcomes all people to find belonging and their role in God's mighty work. United in Christ and grounded in love, we will continue building a church that future generations will receive and embrace with gratitude and blessing," Bishop Saenz said after his election.
The newly elected officers will join Executive Secretary Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, and Co-Ecumenical Officers Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Bishop Rosemarie Wenner as officers of the COB. Bishop Malone will continue to serve as an officer as the immediate past president.
The executive secretary serves as the operations officer of the Council and works closely with the president in the work of the Council and Executive Committee. The ecumenical officer is responsible for relationships with other Churches and/or ecclesial bodies. Both serve four-year terms, and they took office on September 1, 2024.
###
Media Contact:
Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Director of Communications - Council of Bishops
Click to email
(202) 748-5172 (Office)
Reflective of updated version from the COB - posted 6:35pm 11/6/25
