The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) and the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU) mourn the passing of Rev. Dr. Roger Ireson, president emeritus of IAMSCU and general secretary of GBHEM from 1988 until his retirement in 2001, who died on November 6, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Sometimes we come to believe that we can do great things on our own. In some cases, it appears to be so. The marathon runner that finished the race seems to do it alone. The author of a book seems to have done it on their own. Someone who recently completed their doctorate, by all appearances, it looks like they did it alone.

This last Sunday, as a guest preacher, I didn’t want to say something that would create a problem for my friend as she was coming back from vacation. This time I felt led to use empathy as the centerpiece of the sermon. Of course, at any other time in history, empathy is the safest thing to talk about in church. Except in our time. Empathy has become a dirty word and controversial even in the church.

When Paul writes to the Philippians, he is aware that his life is unfinished. He knows he still has more to accomplish. He is driven by his mission and his love for others. I know an unfinished life is not the same as an abridged one. They have in common that they are not complete, that there is more to do.

The University Senate of The United Methodist Church has approved a new Framework for United Methodist Formation, establishing a more comprehensive and flexible approach to preparing United Methodist candidates for ministry at approved non-United Methodist theological schools.