Bishop Hoshibata regularly writes a newsletter focused on the concerns of clergy, called the E-Vine. You can find the E-Vine on the conference website here.

Robert Tsugio Hoshibata

E-Mail Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 503-226-7931

Annual Conference: Oregon-Idaho
Website: www.umoi.org

Ministry Experience (including locations, dates, responsibilities):

• Bishop of the Oregon-Idaho Annual (Regional) Conference, Sept. 1, 2004-present
• Dean of the Cabinet, Pacific Northwest Annual (Regional) Conference, 2002-Aug. 2004
• Seattle District Superintendent, 1998-Aug. 2004
• Senior Pastor, Blaine Memorial UMC, Seattle, Washington, 1984-1998
• Senior Pastor, North Gardena UMC, Gardena, California, 1977-1984
• Ordained Elder, Pacific and Southwest Annual Conference, 1977
• Ministerial Intern, Kahalu`u UMC, Parker UMC, Palolo UMC, Hawaii, 1974-1975
• Ordained Deacon, Pacific and Southwest Annual Conference, 1974
• Youth Minister, North Gardena UMC, 1973-1974 and 1975-1977
• Youth Minister, First Congregational Church, Portland, Connecticut, 1970-1971

Other Relevant Denominational Experience:

• Chairperson, Pacific Northwest Vision and Planning Task Force, 1997-1998
• Chairperson, Pacific Northwest Cross-Racial Appointment Task Force, 1996-1998
• Member, Board of Ordained Ministry, 1992-2004
• Chairperson, Pacific Northwest Annual (Regional) Conference Worship Committee, 1997-1998
• Chairperson, National Japanese-American UM Caucus, 1981-1983
• Teacher, United Methodist Women’s School of Christian Missions, 1990 and 2004
• Preacher, Pacific Northwest Annual (Regional) Conference 1990, 1996, 2004

Education:

• D.Min., Claremont School of Theology, 1977
• B.A., Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 1973, with high honors
• Post-graduate study, Vancouver School of Theology, Vancouver, British Columbia, 1984;
• Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California, 1979 Participant: Diversity in the Workplace seminar, National Urban Ministry Seminar, Eric Law Diversity Workshop

General and Jurisdictional United Methodist Church Involvement:

• General Council on Ministries, 1996-2000 and 2000-2004
• Vice President,General Council on Ministries, 1996-2000
• World Division,Board of Global Ministries, 1980-1984
• General Conference and Jurisdictional Conferences 1996, 2000, 2004
• Western Jurisdiction Leadership Team, 2000-2004
• Western Jurisdiction Task Force on Theological Education and Ministry, 2003
• Western Jurisdiction Asian-American Coordinating Committee, 1980, 1981
• General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, 2004-Present (Vice-President 2008-present)
• General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, 2008 - present

Ecumenical Involvement:

• Member, Ecumenical Dialogue Group on Clergy Sexual Misconduct
• Participant, Ecumenical Dialogue on Urban Homelessness
• Advisory Board, Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry
• Participant, Ecumenical Missionary Conference, Amagi Sanso, Japan, 1983
• Participant, Jewish-Christian Dialogue on the Middle East
• Advisory Board, Atlantic Street Center, Seattle, Washington
• Member, Board of Trustees, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, 2004-Present
• Member, Board of Trustees, Willamette University, 2004-Present
• Member, Board of Trustees, Northwest House of Theological Studies, 2004-Present
• Member, Board of Trustees, Rust College, 2004-Present

Bishop Hoshibata’s Episcopal Candidacy Statement:

Strong currents of change challenge our United Methodist Church. Eroding support for connectionalism, declining apportionment contributions, conversations about schism threaten our future. Episcopal leaders who will guide us successfully through change into a vital future must possess deep faith and clear vision. The difficult work of superintending for the whole church requires bishops to be fully engaged with persons in pew and pulpit. Creative leaders with strong relational abilities with competence in conflict resolution and problem solving are needed in order to successfully navigate these waters.

I am willing and able to lead the whole church as we wrestle with theological differences threatening our viability and future. I will call us to accountability when we neglect our mission of disciple-making. I will lead with a Christ-centered pastor's heart, offering my gifts to our church.

I will encourage conversation and invite all to the table of discernment and prayer as we meet the challenges of our future together.

While I will serve as a bishop for the whole church, as a member of the Western Jurisdiction, I stand firm and proud in unequivocal, unapologetic support and affirmation of our rich diversity of persons, cultures, languages, and theological positions.

Personal:

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, raised in Wahiawa, Hawaii; married to Greta Goo Hoshibata, August 10, 1974; three children: Courtney, a Ph.D. student in biology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD; Lauren, a graduate student in Public Policy at George Washington University, Washington D.C.; Blake, a student at University of Oregon, Eugene, OR