Cox to Serve as Director of Connectional Ministries

The Conference Connectional Network (CCN) has unanimously endorsed its former chairperson, the Rev. Gregory Cox, to serve as Director of Connectional Ministries. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton said he will joyfully appoint Cox to the position, effective Oct. 1.

Cox, 39, currently serves as pastor of College Hill UMC and will begin transition to his new post in mid-September. His selection on Aug. 26 came on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee after a search and lengthly discernment process.

“Greg is youthful, enthusiastic and believes strongly in our connectional system,” said Bishop Bickerton. "He’s been a leader on all levels and serves on the General Commission on Communications. He brings a passion for telling the story of Christ and the church in new and creative ways."

The Bishop noted that Cox is “uniquely positioned to bridge the generational gap -- to relate to generations older and younger, as well as his own. People like Greg, who are committed to telling the story of Christ to make disciples of younger generations, are desperately needed in the life of the church.”

Cox served two years as chairman of the CCN. Before voting, some members voiced support based his handling of the leadership position. In his new position, he succeeds the Rev. Lisa Grant, who returned to pastoral ministry at Edinboro UMC on Sept. 1.

In his ministry, Cox has served churches of varying sizes and helped lead them forward. He began his pastoral ministry in Western PA at Bethel and White Oak UMCs in the Titusville area, then moved to a staff position as associate pastor at Baldwin Community UMC, a larger membership congregation. There he led the congregation through a transition in senior leadership. Since 2006, Cox had served the College Hill church in Beaver Falls, an area undergoing change that is home to Geneva College.

“Greg is highly committed and connected to our camping program,” Bishop Bickerton added. Both Cox and his wife, the Rev. Tracy Cox, have served as deans at summer camp. Tracy, who serves as associate pastor at Ingomar UMC, is on the Board of Directors for Jumonville, one of the three Conference camps.

A graduate of Allegheny College and Duke Divinity School, Cox is a life-long United Methodist and grew up as a member of St. Paul’s UMC in Allison Park. He's well aware that a lot has changed in the church and culture since then. 

“I think the battle that the United Methodist Church faces in Western PA is a steep uphill battle, but I believe it’s one that God is still a part of,” he told the CCN. “God has a plan for us and it’s up to us to find what that plan is.

“I have always been a United Methodist. Our message of grace and forgiveness is a viable one and one that must be communicated,” Cox said.

“We serve a diverse annual conference – ministry for churches in the city is very different the rural areas. Providing relevant ministry in all these places is important and I want to be a part of all that beyond the local church.”

The Conference is also diverse politically and theologically, Cox noted. He may offer hope for bridging those gaps, he said. “My wife and I usually vote differently in elections and we have different views on some social justice issues,” he explained. “But we are living proof that despite our differences, we can love each other and live together in peace.

Greg and Tracy are the parents of three school-age daughters, Sarah, 12, Bekah,9, and Elisabeth, 7.