Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, released this statement following the first meeting of the UMC Council of Bishops in the wake of the 2019 General Conference:
This week, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church called for a “season of deep listening” and pledged to “seek new ways of being in relationship” as we continue in prayer, conversation and discernment about the future of our church.
As a sign of our commitment to remaining in mission and ministry together as a connectional church, the Council of Bishops has created from within its membership a Servant Listening Team to come alongside ongoing discussions in many corners of our Connection.
I support any efforts to find common ground upon which we can remain united in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
I encourage everyone to read, reflect and pray over the pastoral word offered by the Council of Bishops.
And I once again prayerfully ask all South Carolina United Methodists to keep talking and listening to one another, to lift up what unites us, and to keep our focus on our mission as we walk together toward a future with hope.
Grace and Peace,
L. Jonathan Holston
