Draft:Francis Gerald Ensley
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Francis Gerald Ensley was a distinguished American bishop of the Methodist and the United Methodist Church, who was elected in 1952.
Early life and education
[edit]Gerald Ensley was born in Chesterville, Ohio, the son of Reverend Louis and Nellie (McConnell) Ensley on 12 August 1907. His maternal uncle was Bishop Francis John McConnell of the Methodist Church. Gerald married Eunice LeBourveau 6 July 1935. They had four children who with their spouses were: Frederick and Jean Ensley, Philip and Cynthia Ensley, Elizabeth and Roger Grime, and Charlotte and Robert Linville.
Ensley received an A.B. Degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio in 1927. After teaching for a year in Lorain, Ohio, he entered Boston University School of Theology where he graduated with high honors. A recipient of the Jacob Sleeper Fellowship, he studied at the University of Berlin in Germany during 1931-32 and completed his Ph.D in philosophy at Boston University School of Theology in 1938. He taught homiletics and systematic theology at Boston University School of Theology.
Ordained ministry
[edit]From 1935 until 1944 Ensley served as minister of The United Church of Norwood in Norwood, Massachusetts. He then returned to Ohio in 1944 as minister of the North Broadway Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio, which under his pastorate became the largest Methodist church in Ohio. Eight years later he was elected to the episcopacy.
Episcopal ministry
[edit]Bishop Ensley was assigned to the Iowa Area of the Methodist church in 1952 by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference. He served there from 1952 to 1964. In 1964 he was assigned to the newly created Ohio West Area, the largest in Methodism. His strong leadership capabilities led him to key roles in the larger church: President of the Board of Christian Social Concerns, Vice-Chairman, General Board of Education, the first Chairman of the Commission of Ecumenical Affairs, President of the General Council on Finance and Administration. He initiated conversations between the Roman Catholic and the Methodist Churches. He was one of eight presidents of the World Methodist Council and chaired the Evangelism Committee, responsible for starting a major evangelistic program throughout world Methodism. His last official act was a key address before the World Methodist Council in Dublin, Ireland on August 26, 1976.
As stated in his memorial service, Bishop Ensley was a brilliant scholar and author, and was considered one of the finest preachers in the Church. In acknowledgement of this he was awarded twelve honorary degrees from colleges and universities.
Death
[edit]Ensley died on 21 September 1976 in Dublin, Ireland. He was survived by his wife Eunice LeBourveau Ensley, his four children and eleven grandchildren.
Selected writings
[edit]- John Wesley, Evangelist
- Paul's Letters to Local Churches
- The Marks of a Christian Education
- Persons Can Change