Photo by Mike DeBose, UMNS

We give thanks for the life of Bishop Rueben Job and hold his family in prayer.  He is a true model and disciple of the Wesleyan tradition.  Bishop Job exemplified the Dakota spirit of a humble man of eloquent words and unceasing prayer.  He lived out his call every day of his life with passion.  He has been a spiritual mentor to me and countless others.

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Dakotas-Minnesota Area

Bishop Rueben P. Job, 86, died at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee on January 3, 2015. 

“I have no anxiety about my own death. … I don’t know what that’s going to be like, but I have some idea that it will be good because this life is good,” said retired Bishop Rueben P. Job after the publication of his book, “Living Fully, Dying Well,’’ in 2006.

Rueben Phillip Job was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Jamestown, North Dakota. He was raised on a farm and worked alongside his father until he received a “clear and urgent call” to ministry. He was licensed to preach in 1952, and ordained in the Dakota Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1957. The EUB and the Methodist Church merged in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.

Rueben Job served several churches in North Dakota: Tuttle, Minot and Calvary Church in Fargo. He later served as a U.S. Air Force Chaplain in Europe. He was on the staff of the General Board of Evangelism of the Evangelical United Brethren Church from 1965 to 1968 and on the general staff of the United Methodist Board of Evangelism and Discipleship from 1968-1977. In 1977 he was appointed District Superintendent of the Northern District of the South Dakota Annual Conference and continued as a member of its program staff until he became World Editor of The Upper Room, the position he was holding at the time of his election to the episcopacy.

At the 1984 North Central Jurisdictional Conference, Rueben Job was elected to the episcopacy and assigned to the Iowa Area. During his tenure there, he served on the General Commission on Communications and as chairperson of the Hymnal Revision Committee. He retired in 1992.

Job leaves behind a behind a legacy of writing of more than 20 books including, “Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living” published in 2007 that has sold more than 300,000 copies worldwide.

A memorial serivce will be at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN on Sunday, January 18, 2014.  Visitation for Bishop Rueben Job will be at Belmont UMC on Saturday, January 17, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Greetings can be sent to:  Beverly Job 300 Wheatfield Circle, #B322, Brentwood, TN  37027

READ MORE

Dakota roots shaped Rueben Job spiritually

Rueben Job a spriritual leader for many Dakotas clergy

Bishop Job mentor for Bishops

Bishop Ough's message at the memorial service

Click here to read more at UMC.org

Click here to read a reflection by Bishop Michael Coyner

BIshop Rueben P. Job Memorial Service from Dakotas UMC on Vimeo.