IT’S BEEN NEARLY A DECADE SINCE A FIRST-TERM GENERAL TOOK THE GAVEL; the pressure of that moment is no small thing. Standing at the helm of the General Assembly, navigating the deeply held convictions, political impulses, and base realities of human nature of thousands of delegates is more than an administrative responsibility; it comes with a deep pastoral burden. Leading a church council is navigating a treacherous highland path between two abysses, rigid bureaucracy on one side and chaotic confusion on the other. Bishop Gary Lewis masterfully led us, avoiding both pitfalls, through a unique set of skills and virtues: preparation, patience, a shepherd’s heart, perceptive wit, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
In anything from sport to learning music, freedom to innovate is not the absence of rules, but the mastery of them. Bishop Lewis displayed a depth of understanding regarding the rules and the agenda that allowed him to treat Robert’s Rules as a scaffolding toward consensus rather than a cage that would stifle conversation. As a parliamentarian, I was repeatedly impressed by his ability to operate on the edges of parliamentary process while maintaining order and flow because he had fully internalized the underlying logic of procedure and possessed a thorough understanding of every aspect of the agenda. It was undoubtedly his preparation that allowed Bishop Lewis to navigate complex moments with complete calm, never needing to reach for the life preserver of the rules, but “stepping out” to help us move forward.
The beauty of explanation was on full display. The chair has no duty to coach the body through procedural minutiae (reshaping motions, when to return for an item to be germane, the secondary effects of votes, etc.). Sometimes this truth is used by the chair to maintain power and, more often, so they avoid procedural errors of their own. Bishop Lewis threw off any aloof status and displayed a notable readiness to pause the process and explain it, ensuring that every delegate from the seasoned bishop to the newcomer layman understood what was happening and how that would affect the proceedings. This pastoral action was effectuated by preparation and his considering each member as deserving of understanding their church’s governance.
A pastor’s heart was seen again and again as Bishop Lewis moderated our council and assembly with sensitivity to the spirit, comedic timing, and a shepherd’s gentleness. There was an intentional invitation for the Holy Spirit to be present in the daily openings and throughout the agenda. Out of this, we heard the thunder of brothers praying, felt conviction, were moved to compassion, and stirred to astounding generosity. When debates grew tense, Bishop Lewis applied surgically precise humor, but never flippancy, as he respected the humanity and brotherhood of each delegate. In moments where misunderstanding could have led to hurt or division, he masterfully drew us back together with honor and affirmation for our fellow laborers. Out of this unity, we were able to proceed in the work.
Many have commented on the spiritual nature of the 2026 General Assembly, and this could be credited in great measure to our moderator’s willingness to take a lower seat when the Head of the Church entered the room. As Pentecostals, we believe God’s presence is more than theory. Throughout our gathering, Bishop Lewis demonstrated an acute sensitivity to what God was doing. I have complimented his ability to navigate the agenda, but that pales in comparison to his willingness to step back and allow the Holy Spirit to minister and to include the right voices at the right time to help facilitate that movement. It takes courage to yield control in those moments. After months of preparation that was obvious to us all, I am grateful our Bishop knew that the work was not complete unless God moved in the room.
The records of this Assembly will take their place in the archives alongside the 79 others that came before, recording the decisions made and statements passed. Yet, those of us in the room will remember something else. We will recall the manner in which those conversations were guided and how God met us there. Whatever fond recollections we may have, we owe them to Bishop Lewis, who took the gavel for the first time and, through his dedication to our church, preparation for the task, and desire for God to meet us there, delivered a masterclass. We did substantial work, and we owe Bishop Gary Lewis a hearty thanks for facilitating the atmosphere that made it possible. We left Orlando knowing that order and love, process and understanding, debate and camaraderie, structure and Spirit are not mutually exclusive pairs, but conduits through which the Holy Spirit flows and the church moves.
Don’t miss any of the latest content from pastorconley.com Enter your email address below to have all the latest content delivered directly to your inbox FIRST and FREE!
PastorConley.com 
Leave a comment