Homer Ellis Finger Jr
Encyclopedia
Homer Ellis Finger, Jr. was an American
Bishop
of The Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church
, elected in 1964.
Finger served as bishop in Tennessee
for twenty years: twelve in the Nashville Area and eight in the Holston Area (based in Knoxville). He also served as president
of the Council of Bishops from 1980 to 1981, retiring from active service in 1984, but continuing on as administrative assistant secretary to the council for the next 12 years.
Prior to his election to the Episcopacy, Finger served for twelve years as President of Millsaps College
(1952–1964) in Jackson, Mississippi
, from which he had graduated before receiving his master of divinity
degree from Yale Divinity School
. He also served as pastor
of the Coldwater, Mississippi
and Oxford University United Methodist churches, and as a Navy
chaplain
for three years during World War II
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of The Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, elected in 1964.
Finger served as bishop in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
for twenty years: twelve in the Nashville Area and eight in the Holston Area (based in Knoxville). He also served as president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Council of Bishops from 1980 to 1981, retiring from active service in 1984, but continuing on as administrative assistant secretary to the council for the next 12 years.
Prior to his election to the Episcopacy, Finger served for twelve years as President of Millsaps College
Millsaps College
Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...
(1952–1964) in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, from which he had graduated before receiving his master of divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree from Yale Divinity School
Yale Divinity School
Yale Divinity School is a professional school at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. preparing students for ordained or lay ministry, or for the academy...
. He also served as pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the Coldwater, Mississippi
Coldwater, Mississippi
Coldwater is a small town in Tate County, Mississippi, United States. It is in the Memphis Metropolitan Area or Mid-South. The population was 1,674 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Coldwater is located at...
and Oxford University United Methodist churches, and as a Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
for three years during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.