Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton
Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton was elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church on November 2 at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference held at Lake Junaluska, NC. She succeeds Bishop Leonard E. Fairley, who led the NC Conference as an interim until December 2022.
Biography
After graduating from Duke Divinity School, Bishop Shelton returned to Mississippi to serve three small-membership churches. Following that appointment, she served as the Executive Director of the United Methodist Hour television and radio broadcast for seven years, where she was the weekly preacher. She returned to Duke Divinity School in 2005 to serve as the Director of Field Education for three years.
Upon returning to Mississippi in 2008, she served Galloway United Methodist Church for five years before being appointed as the Director of Connectional Ministries and Communications for the Mississippi Annual Conference. In 2015 she was appointed as a District Superintendent for the East Jackson District. In 2022, she was appointed, along with three other superintendents, to oversee the Hattiesburg District as part of a new initiative from the Mississippi Annual Conference.
Hear more of Bishop Shelton’s story:
Education
- Bachelor’s in Radio, Television, and Film, University of Southern Mississippi
- Master’s in Public Relations, University of Southern Mississippi
- Master of Divinity, Duke Divinity School
- Doctor of Ministry, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Family
Bishop Shelton is married to the Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton, who serves as the Dean of the Chapel and Director of Church Relations at Millsaps College. They have two daughters, Bailey and Jessica.
“I believe Jesus Christ is inviting us to bear witness to the breadth of his Church, where, through baptism, ‘we are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation.‘ We offer ourselves ‘in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice in union with Christ’s offering for us.‘”
Recent Articles with Bishop Shelton
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Making Disciples – What Are the Ingredients?
Bishop Shelton shares the “recipe” for discipleship and the ingredients we can use in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Let’s open […] Continue Reading→
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North Carolina and Western NC Conferences Receive a Five-Year Duke Endowment Grant Exceeding $10 Million
Garner and Huntersville, NC – The North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) are thrilled to announce that they have each received a generous […] Continue Reading→
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Thank You for Praying During Appointment Season
View a special message from Bishop Shelton sharing thanks for your prayers during the appointment-making season and encouraging everyone across our connection to continue praying as new pastors join congregations. Continue Reading→
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Bishop Shelton Announces New Cabinet Appointments
Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton announces new Cabinet appointments for the North Carolina Conference, effective July 1, 2023. Rev. David Blackman, current Beacon District Superintendent, moves to the Gateway District following […] Continue Reading→
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Easter Sunday – Bishop Connie Shelton
“After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. (Matthew 28:1, MSG) “Why do […] Continue Reading→
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Transitions
As we look ahead to a time of transition across our connection, Bishop Shelton prays for God’s comfort, peace, joy, and hope to be upon you and your church. Continue Reading→