Rev. Brady Whitton to Step Down as Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry Effective July 31, 2023

Effective July 31, 2023, Rev. Brady Whitton, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, will be stepping down from his role as the Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Louisiana Conference.

Rev. Whitton has faithfully served the Conference in this capacity for a period of 7 years.

Leaving the Board in capable hands, Rev. Clifton Conrad, the long-time Vice Chair, will assume the role of Chair for the remainder of this quadrennium. 

Bishop Delores J. Williamston expresses deep gratitude for both Whitton and Conrad. 

Rev. Clifton Conrad

"Rev. Whitton has shown dedicated service and exemplary leadership, particularly during these challenging times," says Bishop Williamston. "I want to personally extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Whitton for his willingness to serve. I would also like to thank Rev. Conrad for his graciousness in assuming this important position. The Board of Ordained Ministry plays a vital role in the life of our Conference, naming and assisting those discerned to be called."

Rev. Whitton says he has made this decision to focus his efforts on leading the Louisiana Conference delegation to the 2020 General Conference, which is now scheduled to take place in the Spring of 2024, and says the work of the delegation is critically important.

"It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Ordained Ministry," says Whitton. "I am grateful for the opportunity, and it does my heart good to leave the work in very capable hands."

The Louisiana Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (CBOM) is responsible for supporting persons who respond to God's call to professional ministry as an elder in full connection, a deacon in full connection, a licensed local pastor, diaconal minister, or certified professional in camp/retreat ministry, children’s ministry, Christian education, collegiate ministry, evangelism, ministry with people with disabilities, ministry with the poor, music ministry, older adult ministry, spiritual formation ministry, urban ministry, and youth ministry.

You can learn more about the role and function of the Board of Ordained Ministry by visiting its page.