Radical Trust for the 2020-21 Academic Year

Bishop Mike Lowry opens the Seminary’s new academic year with a message on radical trust in God alone.

On September 9, 2020, Bishop Mike Lowry, resident bishop of Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, opened the new academic year at United Theological Seminary with a timely message on radical trust.

Citing Proverbs 3:5-6 and 2 Timothy 1:11-14, Bishop Lowry encouraged students to remain faithful under pressure.

“It is to our living in these days, and to this claim of radical trust from the risen Lord, that the holy scripture from Timothy is meant to apply to our lives: You were appointed a messenger, apostle and teacher of this good news,” said Bishop Lowry.

Recognizing the myriad of challenges facing Christian leaders in the present moment, the Bishop encouraged listeners to find comfort by developing personal practices for prayer, scripture and quiet meditation.

“Holy Scripture offers us wisdom from on high,” he said. “It invites us, no, more than that, it challenges us to settle the pounding of our hearts and the clamoring of our minds.”

Moreover, Bishop Lowry affirmed God’s call on those stepping into ministry in this season.

“It is to this world, a world which God created in a supreme act of love, that we are called to witness and serve.…,” he said. “It is in this time, our time, that the Holy Spirit calls us to go forth in radical trust.”

Bishop Mike Lowry is episcopal leader of the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. He will become Bishop-in-Residence at United Theological Seminary in January 2022, following his retirement at the end of 2021. Watch his full message from 2020 Opening Convocation below.