Meet Our Bishop

About Resident Bishop Martin D. McLee

When Bishop Martin D. McLee assumed episcopal leadership of the New York Area on September 1, he was returning to some familiar territory. The newly-consecrated bishop holds fond memories of his faith journey as a youth at Cuyler-Warren, Hanson Place and Bethany UMCs in Brooklyn. His first camping experience came at the old Sessions Woods camp in Connecticut.

McLee, 56, was one of three new bishops elected by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference July 18–20 in Charleston, W.Va. McLee was elected on the 21st ballot; he received 140 of 224 votes. Prior to his consecration as bishop, McLee had served as the superintendent of the Metro Boston Hope District of The United Methodist Church since 2008.

A Brooklyn native, McLee succeeded Bishop Jeremiah J. Park, who was appointed to serve the Harrisburg Area/Susquehanna Conference in Pennsylvania. Park, who had served the NYAC from 2004 to 2012, replaced Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, who retired. Middleton was an episcopal candidate from the NYAC.

The conference may well have a second "singing bishop" or even a "shouting bishop" on its hands. After his election, McLee broke out in a version of Nina Simone's "If He Changed My Name," singing, "I told Jesus it would be alright if he changed my name – and he did on the 21st ballot."

In finishing his remarks before the plenary, McLee turned to express his gratitude to the NEJ bishops and quoted "that famous theologian" Sly and the Family Stone: "Thank you for letting me be myself."

New England Bishop Peter Weaver said of McLee, who was a member of Weaver's cabinet, "It's my honor to introduce one who loves Jesus, one who loves justice, who is contagious in joy, and invites anyone and everyone to rise from the dead."

In his first meeting with the NYAC delegation on Friday, July 20, the gregarious McLee said he was both elated and humbled to have been elected bishop, especially on the 21st ballot. He declared that he is living out his walk with Christ, and "what you see, is what you get.

"I have no set agenda, though I am at my best in the urban center," he said. "I am looking to learn from you. I want you to walk with me."

McLee said he is a servant leader at heart, and employs a collaborative style of leadership. He challenged the delegation to "lean in together and listen for God."

He brings a love of passionate worship, stating that United Methodists have become too "shy in our passion. We need to step it up." He believes that cross-cultural sharing is one way to strengthen the worship experience.

McLee cited the words of Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice," as one of the guiding scriptures of his faith.

Known as a bridge-builder in his Boston area ministry, McLee is committed to bringing people into relationship with Christ through both evangelism and social justice ministries.

McLee is the former senior pastor of the Union UMC, a reconciling and inclusive congregation in Boston's South End. He is an adjunct professor in social work at Simmons College, and has also taught at Brandeis University. He has been a community activist and frequent lecturer on issues concerning HIV/AIDS and the faith community, and race and racism.

McLee earned a master's in divinity degree in 1998 from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and a Juris Doctor degree in 1988 from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University. He also holds a master's of science in education from Fordham University; and a bachelor's of science in health from Hunter College.

McLee's candidacy was endorsed by the New England Conference, Black Methodists for Church Revival, and the Northeastern Jurisdiction Multi-Ethnic Center.

Education and Honors

Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, M. Div., 1998 Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University, Juris Doctor, 1988 Fordham University, Master of Science – Education, 1983 Hunter College, B.S. (cum laude), Health, 1979 Nasson College, A.A., General Studies, 1976

Ministry

Assigned to New York Area (New York Annual Conference), effective Sept. 1, 2012. Superintendent, Metro Boston Hope District, New England Conference, 2008-Present Adjunct Professor, Simmons College, Graduate School of Social Work Senior Pastor, Union United Methodist Church, Boston, Mass., 2000-2008 Associate Pastor, Hamilton Park UMC, Dallas, 1998-2000. Assistant Pastor, St. Luke “Community” United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas, 1992-1998. Chaplain’s Assistant, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 1993-1998.

Other

Delegate, General Conference, 2008; Alternate, General Conference, 2004, 2012 General Commission on Religion and Race Podcast Panelist. “Guess Who’s Coming to Church?”, 2009 General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Convocation on Pastoral Authority and Church Membership, Panelist, 2006 Delegate, World Methodist Council, Durban, South Africa, 2011 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference Delegate; 2004, 2008, 2012 BMCR-Northeast Jurisdictional Annual Meeting, Dais Presenter,2010 Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy, 2008-Present Northeastern Committee on Investigations, Chair, 2008-Present; Vice Chair, 2004-2008 Guest Preacher, Former Troy Annual Conference Session 2007 Northeastern Jurisdiction Committee on Finance and Administration 2000-2004 Member, New ; England Conference Committee on the Episcopacy, 2008-2012 Workshop Facilitator, African American Spirituality - Bishop’s Day on Passionate Spirituality, 2010 Convener, Conference on Visionary Leadership for Small Membership Congregations, 2010 Convener, Conference Immigration Task Force, Cabinet Urban Ministry Initiative 2009-Present Ziegler Award - Preaching Excellence, New England Annual Conference Session 2006 Director, Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, Chair, HIV/AIDS Initiative, 2005-2008