Bishop Lanette Plambeck, resident Bishop of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area, was elected to serve as the next secretary of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church (COB) on November 6 during the bishops’ online meeting via Zoom. Bishop Plambeck was elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church in 2022 by the North Central Jurisdiction. 

At this same meeting, Bishop Ruben Saenz, who leads the Horizon Texas Episcopal Area, was elected as the next president of the council, and Bishop Mande Muyombo from the North Katanga Episcopal Area was elected as vice president. The newly elected officers will take office at the end of the Spring 2026 COB meeting and will serve for two years.

“As I look forward to serving as an officer of the Council of Bishops, I carry with me the wisdom of Bishop Rueben Job, who reminded us that ‘each of us is called to live as a bearer of God’s presence, to be a reflection of divine love and grace in a world longing to see a glimpse of God,’” said Bishop Plambeck following her election. “May our shared service reflect that divine love — with humility, hope, and a steadfast heart for the Church and the world.”

In addition to leading the Minnesota and Dakotas conferences, Bishop Plambeck currently serves as the president of the North Central College of Bishops, as an episcopal representative to the United Methodist Native American Comprehensive Plan, and as the United Methodist liaison to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).

The Council of Bishops is made up of all active and retired bishops of The United Methodist Church. This week’s meeting included more than 100 bishops from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America gathering to canvass votes on the constitutional amendments passed at the 2024 General Conference, prepare for the 2026 COB Leadership Gathering, and elect new officers. The agenda also included an emphasis on promoting discipleship as well as continuing work to dismantle racism and strengthen mission strategies in the worldwide denomination. The bishops received updates on the COB's work against political violence and authoritarianism.