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Robert Lawson Bryan

Bishop Lawson Bryan is married to Sherrill O. Cooper of Thomaston, AL. Their son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Brittany, live in Montgomery with their children, John Philip, Jr., (7 years) and Cece (5 years).

Born

June 13, 1950 in Quincy, FL

Raised in Dothan, AL

1968

Graduated from Dothan High School.

1972

Bachelor of Science, Tulane University, cum laude.

1975

Master of Divinity, Emory University, cum laude. cum laude.

1985

Doctor of Ministry, Emory University.

Pastoral Appointments

1975 – Associate Pastor, Trinity UMC, Opelika, AL.
1976 – Pastor, Hiland Park UMC, Panama City, FL.
1980 – Pastor, Dexter Avenue UMC, Montgomery, AL.
1986 – Pastor, First UMC, Brewton, AL.
1990 – Senior Minister, Ashland Place UMC, Mobile, AL.
1997 – Senior Minister, First UMC, Dothan, AL.
2007 – Senior Minister, First UMC, Montgomery, AL
2016 – Elected bishop and assigned to South Georgia Episcopal Area
2021 – Bishop-In-Residence, FUMC Montgomery, AL and the Respite For All Foundation (through present)

Other Appointments

  • AL-West Florida Conference Board of Ministry, 1980-1988; 2000-2012
  • Alzheimer’s Association “Walk to Remember”, Chair, 2000-2001
  • Southeastern Jurisdiction Larger Church Consultation, Chair, 2001-2002
  • Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2002-2005
  • Huntingdon College Board of Trustees, 2001—2016
  • Chair of Board of Ordained Ministry, Alabama-West Florida Conference, 2007-2009
  • Chair of Believe It! Montgomery, community partnership for public schools
  • Author of Pursuing Science, Finding Faith, a book on the complementary relationship of faith and science published in 2012
  • Author of How Science can Strengthen our Faith, four essays on ministrymatters.com
  • Member of the Committee of 100, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
  • Leadership Team for the Three Year Covenant Community for Spiritual Growth, AWF Conference
  • Member of Leadership Alabama
  • Developed partnership between First UMC Montgomery and Huntingdon College to create an intern program for college students to gain experience in ministry with children, youth, adults, missions, technology, andfinance. Many of these students go to seminary and others become leaders in local churches
  • Organized and hosted annual Pan-Methodist Pentecost Service uniting AME, AME-Zion, CME, and other churches in the Wesleyan family
  • Lenten Unity Covenant Group with 50% of participants coming from St. Paul’s AME church and 50% from First UMC, Montgomery
  • Chair of the Visioning Team for Adult Respite Ministry of First UMC Montgomery, resulting in four-day-a-week ministry for persons with memory loss and other disabilities; currently involves 50 clients, over 100 volunteers from several churches and a synagogue.
  • Board member of General Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church, 2016-2020
  • Board member of Respite For All Foundation, 2021—present (Over 40 Respite Ministries launched in 17 states among 7 denominations)