The TW Eulogy

AN ADVENTURER OF ORTHODOXY:
BISHOP TIMOTHY W. WHITAKER

Bp. Tim Whitaker crossed the Jordan appropriately on Holy (or Maundy) Thursday, March 28, 2024. On April 8, his Service of Death and Resurrection was held at Johnson’s United Methodist Church in Machipongo, VA on the Eastern Shore of Virginia — near Keller, VA where Melba and Tim lived since his retirement from episcopal ministry. The remarks that follow are my attempt to witness to Bp. Whitaker’s boldly orthodox ministry beyond the congregations he pastored, throughout The United Methodist Church, and in the ecumenical arena as well. (Paul T. Stallsworth)

This worship service proclaims loudly — through liturgy, scripture, and song — that “Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.” Because Christ has died…because Christ is risen…because Christ  will come again, Timothy Whitaker was freed from the bondage of original sin, and forgiven his sins, so that he could bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ in The United Methodist Church and beyond. After Tim was elected a bishop, his witness to Christ was deepened and extended.

In July 2000, Rev. Tim Whitaker was almost elected bishop. Near the end, he dropped out of the race so that another remaining candidate would win.

Six months later, a special episcopal election was called. Nominated on the first ballot, Rev. Whitaker soon withdrew from the race. In his withdrawal speech, he lamented that United Methodism turns its bishops into administrators who are not much interested in theology. However, on Ballot #13, with two candidates running neck and neck, Tim was drafted (against his will) back into the race. He attracted 77 votes. Then 194. And then 304. Finally, 395 votes secured the victory. More than a few sensed God’s providence in Tim’s election to the episcopacy. Bishop Whitaker was sent to serve the Florida Area of The United Methodist Church. He led the Florida Conference, and appointed the clergy with care, from 2001 until 2012. But most importantly, he taught the clergy and laity of the conference. He did not teach his personal opinions. He taught the Church’s apostolic faith. He taught the truth.

Bp. Whitaker’s classroom was open to all. Clergy and laity, United Methodists and others, Floridians and others, were invited to attend — thanks to the reach of the conference website. There were high points in his teaching. In 2002, Bp. Whitaker defended the Church’s doctrine on Jesus Christ over against another bishop’s published, personal opinions. In 2005, Bp. Whitaker preached the first Gospel of Life sermon by a United Methodist bishop. Later, he stood up for apostolic Christianity and opposed the intentional taking of the fragile life of Terri Schiavo.

Let us be clear. In response to the aforementioned topics and others, many United Methodist bishops would have shrugged their shoulders and replied, “Whatever…it’s a choice,” and walked away. In contrast, Bp. Whitaker responded: “I will do what Jesus Christ, speaking through His Church and its apostolic faith, commands me to do.”

To bless and educate young people, Bp. Whitaker helped establish the Angola Memorial Scholarship Fund for Quessua, a group of villages, churches, and schools in the East Angola Conference of United Methodism. He worked with Methodists in Cuba. He served on the United Methodist-Roman Catholic Dialogue. He led various writing projects for the Council of Bishops — such as “God’s Renewed Creation.” Always, his faithful witness was clearly proposed, and many benefited.

In the summer of 2012, Bp. Whitaker retired. Melba, Tim, and their belongings found their way to Keller, VA. Frankly, I believe that Tim retired to The Whimsy — his study behind Melba’s house. For the last twelve years of his life, Tim occasionally preached or taught. Mostly, he wrote. Essays. Theological essays. His theological essays were distributed by email to small groups of “subscribers.” Some of his essays were then posted on well known websites. His topics focused mainly on the Church’s faith, history, and witnesses — from Moses to Jesus, from St. Paul to John Wesley, from Karl Barth to St. John Paul II. These essays were, are, and will remain brilliant. The last four that I received are: “Abraham: The Friend of God,” “Learning to Die,” “Our Sister Death,” and “Teilhard de Chardin on Life, Thought, and Death.”

Tim’s papers should be gathered, organized, and archived for future reference. Some of his essays should be published as journal articles, some as books. That way, his witness to United Methodism, to the Church catholic, and to the world — which is so desperately needed today — can continue.

St. Ignatius of Antioch was Tim’s favorite saint. An icon of Ignatius was strategically placed in the house for Tim to see often and remember. On his last journey from Antioch to Rome in 107, Ignatius wrote a series of letters to early churches. Once in Rome, he refused to deny Christ. So he died a martyr — at the reddened lions’ teeth at Circus Maximus. St. Ignatius’s example guided Tim’s life, faith, and ministry. Like the saint of old, Tim was a servant, a humble servant. He was a humble servant of Jesus Christ. A humble servant of Christ’s Church. A humble servant of the Church’s faith. A humble servant of the truth. Through Tim, God gave, is giving, and will give us (and many others) increasing faith and faithfulness.

Oh God/Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for the life, the faith, and the far-reaching ministry of your servant, Timothy Wayne Whitaker. Because of Your Son Jesus Christ — crucified, risen, coming again — be merciful to him. We trust You to receive his soul into the Communion of the Saints, and to resurrect his body from its remains when Christ returns in power and glory. Praise be to You, O God! Amen!