Background
Talbert, Melvin George was born on June 14, 1934 in Clinton, Louisiana, United States. Son of Nettles and Florence (George) Talbert.
Talbert, Melvin George was born on June 14, 1934 in Clinton, Louisiana, United States. Son of Nettles and Florence (George) Talbert.
Bachelor, Southern University, 1959. Master of Divinity, Interdenominational Theological Center, Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, 1962. Doctor of Divinity honorary, Huston Tillotson College, Austin, 1972.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Puget Sound, Tacoma, 1987.
Pastor Boyd Chapel, Jefferson City, Tennessee, 1960-1961, Rising Sun, Sunrise, 1960-1961, St. John's Church, Los Angeles, 1961-1962, Wesley Church, Los Angeles, 1962-1964, Hamilton Church, Los Angeles, 1964-1967. Member staff Southern California-Arizona Conference United Methodist Church, 1967-1968, district supervisor Long Beach district, 1968-1973. General secretary General Board Discipleship, Nashville, 1973-1980.
Resident bishop Seattle area Pacific Northwest conference United Methodist Church, 1980-1988, secretary council bishops, 1988—1996, bishop San Francisco area, 1988—2000. Member executive committee World Methodist Council, 1976-1981, 84—. Member governing board National Council Churches, since 1980.
Vice president, chairman funding committee General Commission on Religion and Race, 1980-1984, president, 1984-1988. Chairman Missional Priority Coordinating committee General Council Ministries, 1980-1984. Member General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, 1984—1996, African Church Growth and Development Committee, 1981-1984.
President National Council of Churches in Christ in United States of America, 1996—1997.
Member steering committee Student Non-Violent Coordinating committee Atlanta University Center, 1960-1961. Trustee Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, since 1976, University Puget Sound, Tacoma, 1980-1988, School Theology at Claremont, California, 1981-1988, Pacific School Religion, since 1988. Board directors Glide Foundation, since 1988.
Ecumenical officer Council of Bishops, since 2000. Member Theta Phi.
Married Marilyn Magee. 1 child, Evangeline.