Profile: Bishop Peter Weaver

Peter David Weaver was born into the parsonage family of Adolph and Dorothy Weaver, January 15, 1945, in Greenville, PA.  He received the degrees of B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1966), M.Div. from Drew University (1969), and Doctor of Theology from Boston University (1975).  He has also received honorary Doctorates from Lebanon Valley College (1999), Albright College (2000), and West Virginia Wesleyan (2010).

Ordained a Deacon (1967) and Elder (1969) in the Western Pennsylvania Conference, Bishop Weaver served the Whitaker United Methodist Church from 1971-1977, developing outreach ministries to community youth and industrial workers.

From 1977-1988, Bishop Weaver served as Senior Pastor of the historic Smithfield United Church (UCC and UMC) in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.  The congregation launched ministries with young adults, older adults, urban children and youth, corporate leaders, the homeless and poor, and the arts.  During this time, he was co-founder of the Bethlehem Haven Shelter for Homeless Women, based on Christian hospitality principles.

In 1988, Bishop Weaver was appointed Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, where spiritual emphasis was given to ministries with the neighboring universities, young adult singles, persons with AIDS, the poor, and the development of an inclusive church.  He helped start the interfaith “One Voice Against Racism” movement.

While serving congregations, Bishop Weaver also wrote for various publications and taught for Drew Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological School.  For over ten years, he had weekly programs specifically produced for radio.

His community involvement included “Leadership Pittsburgh,” the “Mayor’s Task Force On the Homeless,” and many boards, which included Goodwill Industries, YMCA, United Campus Ministries, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Some of his many other church responsibilities included chairing the Mission Division of the General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church and serving as a delegate to four General Conferences.  In the Western Pennsylvania Conference, he chaired the “Together” Stewardship and Funding Program and the committee that led to a new vision and strategic plan for the Conference.

The Boston Area

In 2004, Bishop Weaver was assigned to the New England Conference, which now includes 644 congregations in six states, committed to a vision of being “Transformed by the Holy Spirit…as we boldly proclaim Christ to the world.”  In support of this, the Conference has reorganized itself in a more flexible, collaborative way for resourcing congregations and empowering District ministries.  Over 15 million dollars has been committed in support of new congregations, the vitality of existing congregations, the four camping and retreat centers, care for retired clergy, and our international partnerships with West Angola and Nicaragua.  Along with a number of boards and committees, Bishop Weaver serves on the Board of Boston University.

General Church

From 2004-2006, Bishop Weaver served as President of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church serving churches worldwide. During this time, a major reorganization and refocusing of the work of the Council occurred taking Bishop Weaver to many countries of the world to work with United Methodist, ecumenical, and political leaders.   He has particular interest in the “END POVERTY” movement and is a part of the National Council on Foreign Relations work to relate faith and foreign policy matters.  He has served on the denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, and chaired the Northeast Jurisdiction Strategic Visioning/Planning process and the UMC Holistic Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2012 Bishop Weaver will deliver the "Episcopal Address" to the General Conference of the IMC and, in retirement, begin a four-year term as Executive Seceretary of the Council of Bishops with offices in Washington, D.C.

He currently serves on the General Board of Global Ministries, and is President of the NEJ College of Bishops.

Bishop Weaver is married to Linda Sells Weaver.  They have eight daughters and twelve grandchildren.  His hobbies include music (trombone), water sports, and woodworking.

His “life verse” is:  “If anyone is in Christ there is a new creation…”  II Cor. 5:17