Bishop Appoints CFO For The Unified Conference

Rev. Jeffrey Pehl brings decades of financial services experience to new conference organization

Upon recommendation of the personnel committee of the new, unifying conference, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has appointed Rev. Jeffrey Pehl to serve as chief financial officer and conference benefits officer in the unified conference when it is formed and as director of the Center for Connectional Resources/treasurer/conference benefits officer of the North Texas Conference in the interim, effective May 15.

Pehl, who was ordained an elder in the NTC in 2022, currently serves as senior pastor at Buckingham UMC. Prior to answering his call to ministry in 2018, Pehl worked for 35 years in financial services with organizations including IBM Corporation, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Intelligence Agency and the Vietnam War Commemoration.

In his role prior to ordination, Pehl was among the eight-person team to stand up the Vietnam War Commemoration and develop a national program to recognize the veterans who served during the Vietnam War. In his financial officer role at the Vietnam War Commemoration, Pehl provided financial, procurement and legal support to implement programs, developed licensing programs and managed the program’s annual budget.

“To find a CFO with Jeffrey Pehl’s distinct skill set and impressive experience, as well as his understanding of the workings and intricacies of The United Methodist Church, is truly rare. I appreciate the work the personnel committee has done to discern him for recommendation from among many qualified applicants,” said Saenz. “I am confident in Jeff’s ability to lead our financial operations during this time of transition and to bring proven best practices as we begin our work together and steward our shared resources as we seek the loving, just and free world God imagines for all people.”

On April 23, the Central, North and Northwest Texas Conference Councils of Finance and Administration met and unanimously nominated Pehl to serve as CFO of the new conference, with planned legislation for his election at the September 2024 unifying conference. Additionally, the Conference Councils on Finance and Administration nominated Pehl to assume the following conference-specific coverage:

On May 15, 2024, Pehl will become director of the Center for Connectional Resources/treasurer/CBO of the North Texas Conference, replacing Christy Drenner.

On July 1, 2024, Pehl will assume coverage of the Central Texas Conference treasurer and controller office, replacing Greg Carey upon his retirement on June 30.

In accordance with ¶619 of The Book of Discipline (2016), legislation around these roles is planned for the June CTC and NTC annual conferences and the September unifying conference.

Rev. Dr. Tim Bruster, director of administrative services and conference benefits officer of the Central Texas Conference, and Rev. David Andersen, CFO and conference benefits officer of the Northwest Texas Conference, will work with Pehl to wind down the operations of their respective conferences and assist with the work of building the financial, accounting and benefits foundation of the new conference throughout 2024.

More information about the unification process can be found here.

Published: Thursday, April 25, 2024