Bishop Tom Berlin has taken leadership of the United Methodist Church in Florida at a time when both the denomination and the country are facing intense fractures.
Berlin was installed in November as bishop for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He arrives at a point when up to 25% of the denomination’s churches in Florida are seeking to depart, spurred mainly by disagreements with the church leadership over LGBTQ issues.
Berlin, 59, is concentrating on unity despite the looming separations.
“The opportunity that’s before us is that the churches remaining in the United Methodist Church are all churches that want to be United Methodists,” Berlin said. “They’re excited about the United Methodist Church. And so, the opportunity before us is to examine our priorities, focus our ministry, and walk into the future together.”
Berlin succeeds Bishop Ken Carter, who recently moved to a position in North Carolina after leading the Florida association for more than a decade. The Florida Conference oversees nearly 700 churches covering the entire state except for the western Panhandle.
The new bishop assumed his role on Jan. 1. His official installation service will take place on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lakeland.
Berlin and his wife, Karen, are empty-nesters, having raised four grown daughters. Their sole dependent now is a mixed-breed rescue dog named Mudge. They are living in temporary quarters while looking for a local residence.
“We’re really excited to live in Lakeland,” he said last week. “It’s a beautiful town. The people have been very hospitable to me since I’ve arrived here. I’m impressed by the generosity of Lakeland. I’m told it’s the most generous city in Florida. And I’m impressed by the strength of the community itself from every indicator.”