Robert Hitchcock Spain, American bishop. On trial Tennessee Conference, 1951, ordained deacon United Methodist Church, 1958, full connection, elder, 1960. Recipient George Washington award for sermons Freedom Foundation, 1964. Youth director, Tennessee Conference, 1953-1954.
Background
Spain was born in Loretto, Tennessee, the son of James Thomas and Grace (Hitchcock) Spain. His parents were both public educators. He married Syble Mink of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee 14 May 1948.
They have two children, Mistress
Philip (Mollie) Johnston, and John Philip Spain. They also have five grandchildren.
Education
Robert then earned the Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and an Master of Arts
Career
At the age of seventeen, Spain joined the United States. Navy, serving in the South Pacific until the end of World World War World War II He then began his education in Pre-medical at the University of Tennessee. Upon changing his life"s direction into ordained ministry, he entered the University of North Alabama, from which he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. from Scarritt College. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from Lambuth College.
While a student, Review
Spain pastored a circuit of five churches in Wayne County, Tennessee. A station church in Spring Hill.
And was the Conference Director of Youth Work. Review Spain was ordained deacon in 1953 and elder in 1954, both times by Bishop Roy H. Short.
Following Divinity School, Review
Spain served four successive appointments: Livingston, Lebanon, Belle Meade in Nashville, and Brentwood. Review Spain served as the Superintendent of the Nashville District, 1978-1983. He was always an active participant in his Annual Conference and the General Church.
He was elected a delegate to the General Conference of the U.M. Church five consecutive quadrennia, being the first elected the last four of them.
He served eight years on the General Board of Church and Society, eight years on the General Board of Publications, and four years on the General Council on Ministries. Review Spain was elected to the Episcopacy of the U.M. Church by the 1988 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.
He was consecrated to this office 16 July 1988. Present at his consecration was Bishop Roy H. Short, who had ordained him 30+ years earlier.
Upon his election and consecration, Bishop Spain was assigned to the Louisville Episcopal Area (1988-1992), serving as Presiding Bishop of the Louisville and Kentucky Annual Conferences, and of the Red Bird Missionary Conference.
Upon his retirement August 1992, Bishop Spain taught clergy and laity through the Focus on Ministry seminar, sponsored by the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville. Upon the death of Bishop Joseph B. Bethea in South Carolina, the Southeastern Jurisdictional College of Bishops assigned Bishop Spain to the South Carolina Conference until August 1996.
Achievements
Membership
He was a reserve member of the Judicial Council, as well.
Connections
Married Syble Mink, May 14, 1948. Children: Mollie Lou, John Philip.