As a District Superintendent of the South Indiana Conference, I have had the honor and privilege to work with Dr. Beard over the past three years.  As chairperson of the North Indiana Cabinet and a member of Design Team which planned the union of the South and North Indiana Conferences, Dr. Beard has shown great capacity for administration, visioning, and bringing people together around difficult issues. 

 As a Bishop, all of these gifts are paramount.  Another passion is also required and that is the passion to share his love of Christ though the spoken word.  People love to hear Frank preach!

 I highly endorse Dr. Frank Beard for the Episcopacy.

 Rev. Judi Purvis

Vincennes District Superintendent

                I have known Dr. Frank Beard for several years and have observed his walk as a follower of Christ even longer.  Although I know Dr. Beard’s involvement in all levels of the church is extensive, the burning question for me, as the Conference Lay Leader, is:

 What are the qualities that Dr. Frank Beard exhibits that the person in the pew desires in their Episcopal leader?

From my own experience, I know him to be:

                Faithful – Dr. Beard’s unshakable faith in Jesus Christ is the bedrock of his life. He is also a faithful and devoted husband, father and grandfather. 

                Able - Dr. Beard is my District Superintendent.  In the District, I have observed his relationships with pastors and lay people, have taken part in charge conferences he has led, and have attended training workshops he has conducted. 

                I have worked closely with Dr. Beard on the Imagine Indiana Team, as we have created the plan for the new Indiana Conference and where Dr. Beard and I had the specific task of designing the Ministry Cluster and Clergy Covenant group portion of that plan.

Dr. Beard is knowledgeable, respectful, and innovative as he gives leadership.  His ability to discern and utilize ministry gifts, assess a problem, and encourage those for whom he is responsible make him an outstanding manager.  He does not shy away from the difficult tasks that are constantly before him.  However, he has an ability and grace that enables him to attack problems without causing casualties.         

                A great Communicator - I have had the great pleasure of hearing Dr. Beard’s gifted preaching many times. However, I have also observed Dr. Beard in a variety of situations out of the pulpit.  As effectively as Dr. Beard preaches and speaks, he listens. Dr. Beard remembers the stories of people’s lives, their concerns, and their names - from the waitress in the restaurant to the most ‘important’ person in the room.  That is no small thing in a life that is constantly filled with people and concerns.  In addition, culture and age provide no barrier to Dr. Beard’s ability to communicate.  Dr. Beard cares about people and they know it. 

                Inspiring – Dr. Beard loves God and he loves the United Methodist Church.  He shares his love for the church in such a way as to make people proud to be United Methodist.          

                Steadfast - I have never seen Dr. Beard lose his ability to remain calm, no matter how many around him have lost their cool.  He is also grounded in his faith in such a way that, even when his life becomes extremely hectic and trying, he continues to remain balanced - in his spiritual life, his family life, and his calling and work responsibilities.  

Accessible – In spite of the fact that Dr. Beard was president of the Cabinet, served on the Imagine Indiana Team, and had a myriad of other responsibilities in the ‘big church,’ he has been consistently accessible to our District clergy and laity.   

 I believe these attributes are what the laity look for in their Episcopal leader.  I know our laity in Indiana love and respect Dr. Beard and stand in prayer for him as he moves forward in his call.  With them, I wholeheartedly and without reservation support Dr. Frank Beard for the episcopacy. 

The office of Bishop in the United Methodist Church carries with it many responsibilities.

 As I think about the responsibilities of this office of ministry, I can think of no one better prepared for this ministry than Reverend Dr. Frank J. Beard.

 Dr. Beard is a man of great integrity and a visionary leader. He has a tremendous love for Jesus Christ and for Christ's people saved and especially those who do not know the Lord.

 Dr. Beard is a powerful pulpit preacher, whose messages have led many people to find salvation in Jesus Christ.

 He has  a passion for ministry and has worked in a numerous ministry roles which have prepared him for this challenging ministry.

 I enthusiastically endorse Reverend Dr. Frank J. Beard for the office of Bishop in the United Methodist Church and I would encourage you to do the same.

Pastor Jack Scott

Senior Pastor Covenant United Methodist Church Fort Wayne, IN

“Dr. Frank Beard is a humble and faithful servant of God.  I believe he is well equipped to give our church Episcopal leadership in a passionate and committed way for the 21^st Century.  I have worked along side of him in several different settings and find him to be a person of deep integrity, passionate commitment, and a faithful witness of Christ.  Our church will be well served by his leadership.”  

Rev. David V. W. Owen, Executive Assistant to Bishop Coyner , Indiana Area UMC.

“I have known Rev. Frank Beard for many years, first as a clergy colleague in the North Indiana Conference, later through various general church and jurisdictional committees, and now as a member of my Cabinet here in the Indiana Area. Frank is a person of great ability in ministry, good at organizing, excellent at preaching, and very caring in his approach to the pastoral issues of supervision. He is also able to make tough decisions for the good of the church, and he certainly demonstrates a passion for justice and evangelism - he is able to hold both of those dimensions of the Gospel in creative tension. His involvement in the Imagine Indiana process has gained Frank the deep respect of both conferences here in Indiana and beyond. I would welcome Frank as a colleague in the Council of Bishops.”

-- Bishop Michael J. Coyner

Indiana Area of the United Methodist Church

“Dr. Beard has rendered faithful and diligent servant-leadership to the Church for many years… Just as he is a blessing to the Indiana Area, we believe he will be a blessing to the total Connection.”

-- Rev. James Anyike,

South Indiana Clergy