At a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, God encouraged Joshua to “be strong and courageous” as he assumed the mantle of leadership and prepared to guide the people into the next phase of their journey to the Promised Land. Like the children of Israel, the Diocese of South Carolina is at a moment of transition. Transitions in leadership are always demanding, but this season in the diocese, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion could make many anxious and uncertain. I encourage you, be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you.

The Diocese of South Carolina faces this transition in leadership at a time of crisis within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion, and yet the diocese faces this challenge from a position of great strength, unity and spiritual health. During the episcopal search process, I have come to appreciate deeply what I believe are the hallmarks of the Diocese of South Carolina: fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its proclamation, strength of mission and ministry, and stable leadership. These gifts, delivered and directed by the hand of Almighty God, will see you through this leadership transition, guide you through the uncharted waters of the current crisis and empower you to build on your firm foundation as you look toward a bright and hopeful future. My prayer for the Diocese of South Carolina is that it will move from glory to glory in the Kingdom of God and strength to strength in the power of the Holy Spirit across its length and breadth.

The next Bishop of South Carolina must balance addressing the crisis and the unique opportunities of this season with strong and unwavering commitment to both. He must help forge the future for an orthodox witness of the Gospel, solidify strong domestic and international relationships and insure the place of the diocese within the Anglican Communion. The next bishop must be a person of experience in growth and missionary expansion and a leader of commitment, courage, conviction and compassion to address the needs of this season and leave a legacy for future generations.

Many, if not most, Episcopalians have been on a steep learning curve since General Convention 2003 about our connection to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion, about what it means to be in communion while maintaining some level of autonomy as a church and diocese. With the Anglican Communion itself in a state of flux, it is no wonder that many feel anxious and uncertain. There is much beyond our ability to see or control – national and international meetings, statements made and actions taken which are both significant and nuanced, reactions and resistance, progress and stasis. There are canonical and legal considerations which vary from diocese to diocese and state to state. There are issues of hierarchy, property, deployment, employment, pensions, insurance… the list goes on and on and can seem overwhelming.

The next bishop of South Carolina must be prepared to immediately engage the crisis with confidence and in partnership with the best and brightest leaders in their areas of expertise. He will also need to work in partnership with the core leadership of the diocese, the Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other global primates to insure the spiritual health and continued connection of the diocese to the Anglican Communion. This must be done courageously, wisely and with the understanding that there are many variables, with unexpected and sometimes unwelcome challenges to consider.

Even as it faces this time of crisis in the church, the diocese has opportunities immediately before it unlike no other diocese in the Episcopal Church or perhaps the Anglican Communion:
• The opportunity to build upon a track record of evangelism and growth as well as to build momentum and take each congregation and ministry to the next level of excellence in the Kingdom of God.
• The opportunity to prepare now for the projected 30% population growth, prayerfully considering the mission and ministry needs of new individuals and families moving here. How can Christians in the Diocese of South Carolina be Jesus to the stranger in their midst?
• The opportunity to stand firm for the Gospel against the tide of influences which would distract the diocese from “your first love” which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• The opportunity to reach beyond the borders of the Diocese of South Carolina to build and strengthen the orthodox Anglican witness, to encourage the faithful and bring solace to the broken hearted wherever they might be.
• The opportunity to be faithful stewards and guardians of the buildings, land, heritage and ministry of the diocese and provide for future generations the leaders and resources necessary to meet the mission imperatives of generations not yet born.
These are opportunities I celebrate and with which I am very familiar. For fourteen years, I served parishes in Texas – from rural missions to suburban and city parishes, through turnarounds of struggling congregations, building and renovation programs, staff expansions as well as all of the other common aspects of parish life. The last congregation I served as Rector tripled in average Sunday attendance and giving over a seven-year period. Twice, God has allowed me to lead the fastest growing parish in the Diocese of Texas. These opportunities were humbling and the result of prayer, a commitment to focused, biblical evangelism and discipleship and an unwavering desire for excellence by all leaders – and God added to our numbers.

From this foundation, I was first called as Canon Missioner in Florida to help develop plans for strategic growth and development for all 75 churches. Of course, I had the Diocese of South Carolina to hold up as an example and spur a little inter-Provincial competition! My ministry in the Diocese of Florida allowed me to serve as a mentor for newly ordained clergy as well as being a resource and partner in ministry with senior clergy. In addition, our congregational development efforts resulted in stable, revitalized congregations transformed from maintenance to mission and reduced the number of conflict resolution situations throughout the diocese. We also experienced a 24% increase in average annual pledges, indicating a confidence of the laity in both parish and diocesan leadership.
In 2003, I designed and hosted a one day event for lay and ordained leadership of the Diocese called “the Summit”. Three keynote addresses were accompanied by numerous practical and inspirational workshops on all matters of parish life and mission. The Summit provided for the dissemination and exchange of creative ministry tools, a model for gathering leaders for common objectives in a non-legislative setting and inspirational worship and prayer. Many leaders thought, and some even suggested, we should forgo the annual convention in favor of an annual Summit – but the business of the church is essential to under gird the mission of the church. However, the addition of a Summit-like gathering can strengthen greatly the fabric of diocesan life.

I am truly humbled and honored to be a nominee for Bishop of South Carolina and to have this opportunity to speak to my sense of call to and vision for this ministry. A bishop is called by Christian tradition and canon to carry out many roles: proclaiming and defending the Gospel, guarding the faith, unity and discipline of the church, carrying out various sacerdotal, pastoral and administrative ministries. If called as your bishop, I would commit myself fully to these responsibilities, seeking to be an effective model of Christ-like leadership in the church and a godly leader at a time of crisis in the Anglican Communion.

It is only from these commitments that trust between a bishop and the people of a diocese can be built. Trust with your new bishop must be forged across the leadership spectrum of the diocese, with the goal of developing clear agreement for the mission and ministry imperatives for every congregation and ministry of the diocese. This is work I am passionate about and have done, as a parish priest, a diocesan canon and serving an international ministry. As a diocesan canon, I visited each parish of Florida in my first year (obviously including weekday visits) to begin building relationships – for me leadership is relational in nature. If elected, I would hope to meet with the leaders of all the congregations of the diocese through “town hall” type meetings in very short order. Relationship building must include: elected and appointed leaders of the Diocese, both clergy and laity, and throughout the breadth of the Diocese. Relationship building with the goal of good communication, agreement on common ministry and mutual support is essential for the next Bishop of South Carolina.

Throughout twenty-two years of ordained ministry, I have endeavored to live an Acts 2 standard of ministry, a standard which includes: devotion to the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of the bread and prayer, to the miraculous work of God, faithful stewardship and common worship trusting God to bring the increase. To implement this biblical standard, I have utilized four components of leadership development: Modeling, Mentoring, Monitoring and Multiplying. The honor I have had to serve churches which grew in their witness to the Gospel, mission to the world, in their stewardship and numerically has deepened my commitment to helping leaders lead – with passion, clarity and excellence.
As I have said, my deeply engrained philosophy of ministry begins with relationship building. I have come to understand that people really don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Whether it is a visitor to a parish or an Archbishop, people need and deserve a personal connection. Next, I seek to help them succeed – to truly shine at the unique ministry Jesus Christ has called them to carry out. People love to faithfully serve their Lord – to hear at the completion of some task “well done, good and faithful servant!” Trust is built by authentically caring for and empowering individuals. With trust, a team can be assembled to multiply ministry success. But not every situation requires the same size team or same plan. For example, congregations and ministries in rural and urban settings have different needs, and it is important to be sensitive to both as well as to unique circumstances. A team does not operate at peak performance alone – it needs the investment of the leader. I learned a long time ago, that it is great when the people believe in the leader, but it is so much better when the people know the leader believes in them. Investment of time, what is often called “management by walking around” cannot be overstated. We spend time with the things and people who are important to us. This is the message of the Incarnation and just good common sense.
A philosophy of ministry is just a motto on the wall if it isn’t put into action. Leadership development is key to the mission and ministry of the church. Over the years I’ve been to some great clergy conferences and some, which were… less than stellar! Gathering clergy for a conference (whether diocesan wide or at the deanery level) which takes them away from their family, their church and other responsibilities should yield spiritual and practical results. Speakers should be the best of the best nationally and internationally and all meetings should have a stated purpose. Clergy and clergy spouse gatherings should cover a wide spectrum of topics from theology to practical, spiritual and wellness matters. These should also be a gift from the dioceses and congregations – particularly the clergy spouse conference. Is there anyone more deserving of our gratitude and thanks than our clergy spouses?
Leadership development for laity should likewise provide the best of the best to equip the saints for the work of ministry and build up the body of Christ at all levels of church life. From personal evangelism training to worship, altar guild and acolyte training, discipleship and education, finance and legal training, deepening spiritual and family life – we must be creative, innovative and committed to providing our lay leaders excellence to answer God’s call in their lives. Empowered laity is like a rising tide which lifts every ship in the sea. Let’s give them the tools, provide the leadership and get out of the way and watch miracles happen.
The amazing story of God’s work in the Diocese of South Carolina is too good, too great to not be told far and wide. As individual accountability and mentoring sharpens personal skills, the same is true at all levels of church life. Parishes should enter into mutual support and accountability relationships and I believe the Diocese of South Carolina can similarly partner with dioceses throughout the church at home and around the world. We live in an amazing time of instant communication, ease of travel and an ability to take the Gospel to the four corners of the world. This diocese can lead the way in service, humility, grace, favor and passion to take the Good News to a sinful, broken and hurting world.

My Christian journey has taken me places spiritually, relationally and geographically that I never dreamed possible. Such is the joy of the Christian life. In recent years, the Lord has allowed me to build relationship in the Church of England, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, the Southern Cone, South East Asia and many other Provinces of the Anglican Communion. These are relationships which I hold dear and believe could strengthen my ministry if I am called to be the fourteenth Bishop of South Carolina.

My task today is fairly easy -- I've sought to tell you about myself, to outline my experience and share my vision if elected as your next Bishop. You are charged with the responsibility to discern whom God has called for such a time as this. Be assured of my prayers daily for you in this time of transition and decision. May you “be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you.”