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Hope in the Heritage of Holiness The grandson of a Free Methodist bishop, Kendall is recognized across the denomination for his commitment to scholarship, teaching and preaching. Sensing God’s call on him to pastoral ministry, Kendall pursued degrees in philosophy and religion from Spring Arbor College (now University), a master’s in biblical studies from Asbury Seminary and a doctorate in New Testament biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary. “I was keenly interested in the study of Scripture,” says Kendall, adding that an aptitude for biblical languages drew him toward a special focus on the interpretation of Scripture. After completing his graduate education, Kendall faced the choice to become a professor or a pastor. Although many encouraged him to pursue academia, Kendall responded to God calling him to the church. “Whatever learning we gain in matters of theology, if it doesn’t affect the life of the church and bless the church, then what is it for?” he asks. “The best that we can do — in terms of learning — ought to be applied to pastoral life and the life of the congregation.” Kendall’s commitment to the local church started with a student pastorate in Pulaski, MI, continued through pastorates in southern Michigan and Kansas, superintendency in the Great Plains Conference and now finds its expression in the bishopric. “I do feel like I’m at a point in ministry where, although this isn’t the only place, it’s a good place for me to use my gifts,” Kendall says. For the denomination, the timing couldn’t be better. During this July’s 2007 General Conference, delegates from all the North American conferences will gather to discuss and vote on denominational matters, including a proposed change to the Article of Religion on Sanctification presented by the Council of Bishops, an association of FM leaders worldwide. Kendall’s investment in the complicated and lengthy revision of this foundational guiding point of Wesleyan theology began prior to his becoming bishop, but his current role allows him an even greater opportunity to propose revised terminology. “I have always had a passion for the Word of God and for a life that is alive with the Word of God and rooted in the Word of God,” he says. “It was natural for me to want to clarify our tradition, make it more intelligible and compelling for the 21st century. “My concern — my passion — is that we can understand our great heritage of holiness … this grand vision for the kind of life God created and deemed us to live,” Kendall says. How do we live that kind of life? Kendall believes our tradition answers this question, but often the answers have seemed like a list of rules, a formula or a recipe. “It’s not about rules at all,” he says. “It’s about a relationship that is truly transforming. “Jesus didn’t smoke, didn’t swear, didn’t chew tobacco, and he didn’t get drunk. Jesus didn’t do any of those things, but that isn’t why He’s the most attractive and compelling person in human history, and that isn’t why anyone would want to follow Him. It was — and is — His rigorous love that is truly transforming. “It seems clear to me that God wants to affect a healing, an integration, a wholeness, that is truly worthy of the God who made the universe out of nothing and raised the dead body of Jesus. That is some kind of power. “If that power gets to work within us, it’s going to be amazing,” Kendall adds. “It’s amazing grace. We should have huge expectations. We should have huge hope in what God can do.”
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“I’ve always been a student … loved learning, reading and discovering things. That’s kind of how I’m wired,” says Bishop David Kendall. “But whatever I think, study and learn about has to have some expression in life … in the real world.” Often Kendall’s thoughts focus on the interpretation of Scripture and how the living Word can find expression in holy, engaging and compelling lives of believers.