The South Central Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church approved the appointment of Bishop Robert Schnase to the Rio Texas Conference on ­Saturday, July 16. He returns to Rio Texas after serving as the Bishop of the Missouri Annual Conference since 2004. 

Schnase is the author of the bestselling books Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Five Practices of Fruitful Living, Practicing Extravagant Generosity, and Seven Levers: Missional Strategies for Conferences. His latest book, Just Say Yes: Unleashing People for Ministry, is written for people whose passion has been simmering for years, who yearn to be told Yes! Schnase examines the systems and attitudes that restrain and control ministry. He demonstrates practical ways church leaders can rethink fundamental assumptions about organizations and leadership.
 

Before his election as bishop, Schnase served for 15 years as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in McAllen, Texas, a congregation that became widely known for its extensive mission and outreach, for reaching younger generations, and bicultural ministry. He also served congregations in Harlingen, Texas and in Great Britain. Schnase is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Perkins School of Theology. He enjoys birding, fishing, canoeing, and traveling in Central America. Schnase is married to Esther and they have two adult sons, Karl and Paul.

To learn more about Bishop Schnase’s work, please visit robertschnase.com