Shed Studios: Welcome to today's episode of Across the Globe the Podcast, a space to unify, inform, and tell the stories of God's work through the Global Methodist Church as we make disciples of Jesus Christ who spread scriptural holiness across the globe. Whether you're listening from across the street or across the world, we are so grateful that you are joining us today. And before we jump into today's conversation, be sure to hit subscribe, rate, and share the podcast so that others can stay connected to the stories. And people sharing in the life of the Global Methodist Church. Today's episode is special for a couple of reasons, but really it is an opportunity for us to just sit and reflect with Bishop Kenneth Livingston as he prepares to conclude his season of Episcopal Leadership, which makes me very sad, but I don't want to focus on the sad. I just want to spend some time with him today, just talking about all the good and the way that. He has just faithfully served ⁓ during this historic season and growing period of the life of the Global Methodist Church. And also as he's carries the distinction of being the first African American bishop for the Global Methodist Church and just a little bit of what that means and that historic significance. And so without further ado, let me please introduce today's guest, Bishop Livingston. Thank you so much for being with us today. Thank you, Diane, so very much for having me with you today. And ⁓ hello to all those who ⁓ will look in and listen in and share with us on this day. It's good to be with you all. And okay, so I have to ask, because every time we speak to a bishop, we never know where in the world you might be, but where are you today? I'm actually in my office at ⁓ my church, the higher way church in Houston. ⁓ have a ⁓ a memorial service in a little while, so I'm at my church now. I will travel ⁓ to Brazil ⁓ ⁓ next week I'll be in Brazil for a few days and then it's annual conference season, so I'll be all over the place. When my girls were little, there was this little thing ⁓ called Where in the World is Carmen San Diego? And ⁓ and so sometimes I feel like Carmen San Diego. We just need to get you that hat and that jacket. I just thought she had the best style and you could totally rock that. So well I appreciate you taking the time to meet with us today before your memorial service. And that is exciting that we get to catch you while you're in your home church. So thanks again. And so I just am really just wanting to spend some time and reflection with you today. And just as this current season, you know, we have made that announcement that you have decided not to seek reelection for episcopal leadership. And so we are wrapping up your season, which is going to be very busy. ⁓ and so we are just curious what Thoughts and emotions, ⁓ have you really been juggling with lately as I think we just come closer to the realization that this time ⁓ is coming to an end? ⁓ there I there are a lot of different emotions just I guess based on where you are, what ministry you're involved in on that particular day, those things that bring you really, really great joy. the ⁓ the the sense of commitment to the local church, to the general church, and and so I feel great joy ⁓ because I get the opportunity to serve ⁓ in this role. I'm deeply humbled ⁓ that ⁓ the Global Methodist Church would invite me to be a part of the leadership and the life of the church. So there's a great deal of gratitude and ⁓ and it's still wonderment ⁓ that ⁓ that I'm doing this work ⁓ for the kingdom of God. And so ⁓ I look forward ⁓ to the end of this time, not simply because that that task is over, but I look forward to what God is calling me to and local church, which is where my heart is, is in the local church. And and so I feel ⁓ a great sense of, okay, ⁓ the church asked me to serve in this way, I've served in this way, that time is coming to an end. want to do the very best job that I can ⁓ and continue to do that. But there's great joy in and serving, also excitement about what comes after this as well. ⁓ so all of those emotions are are happening on a daily basis. Kinda when I am out doing the work and traveling ⁓ outside of the country or to one of our annual conferences here, I'm just so focused on what's happening in that conference, lives being changed, churches being planted. people coming to know Jesus Christ that you can only be excited about that. So it runs the gamut. But now I'm I am at peace. I I'm I'm grateful that God has done this work. Yeah, absolutely. And and we are so grateful. ⁓ I have always enjoyed an opportunity to get to listen to you, to hear, and I think I've even shared this with you. When Bishop Levingston speaks, there is so much wisdom in the statement that comes, which I know is the Lord giving you that word as well. But I have been gr so grateful for the the way that you've spoken into so many things in this growing season and really has just left a huge impact. And I think in a lot that we do that people may not even recognize. And so ⁓ just again, I probably gonna say thank you a thousand times during this, but it I don't think I could ever say thank you enough ⁓ just for for answering that call. So ⁓ as we look through, you know, this past season and and in that time that you are serving in this episcopal leadership role, When you look back at the years, what are some maybe some things that stand out to you that were maybe especially meaningful or, you know, just reminded you of just how the Lord is at work in our movement? Diane, I I think it starts on ⁓ in in Costa Rica on the night of of election. ⁓ it's an overwhelming sense of gratitude and as I said, humility and this sense of ⁓ my God, ⁓ make me worthy ⁓ and give me enough of your spirit and grace to do this work. And so just that overwhelming sense of of of of being in the presence of God's people and being asked to journey with them. And so ⁓ that started. The second thing that that followed on the heels of that was the first gathering of the assembly ⁓ of bishops. ⁓ I've never served as a co as a district superintendent in our old denomination. I've never been in this level. of leadership just working in the local church. And so being in that room with other people who had been called and elected as well, the wisdom of those who had done this for years, those ⁓ who have come with with so many various experiences from different places on the planet to come in that room and covenant together, to do the work that God had called us all together. I think one of the most consequential things is that early on, ⁓ we came to ⁓ an understanding I I believe guided by the Spirit that we would speak with one voice as an assembly, that we would not have eight or nine different messages for the church, that we would spend our time in that upper room wrestling in the spirit until God spoke to all of us ⁓ and we could ⁓ we could agree together. I think that that's been very beneficial for the Global Methodist Church. ⁓ we try very hard to ⁓ be ⁓ good listeners to one another. ⁓ and encouraging of of one another. And so I think that that's just been really, really foundational in the work that we do. I wanted to be and I've tried to be ⁓ an itinerant bishop and so I travel a lot ⁓ in the annual conferences ⁓ that I have. I thought it was very important not to simply go for annual conference, which is everyone expects the bishop to be that annual conference, but then to itinerate through each of those conferences. And so in the two years of ⁓ almost two years, I've itinerated ⁓ in most of these conferences at least twice. ⁓ I have itinerations in ⁓ I just itinerated in mid-south in April. I'll be ⁓ in mid-Tex, but in the southern part of the mid-Texas conference this year. I was in the hill country ⁓ when the tragedy happened with all of the flooding. ⁓ I'll be down south in ⁓ Corpus Christi in the areas ⁓ where many of our Hispanic congregations are. I've not had an opportunity to itinerate there. So I'm giving you a long answer to the question you asked. But those those being present in the annual conferences, going to local churches, going to to meet with laity and have lunch or dinner and talking with them about their hopes and dreams for the Global Methodist Church has just been ⁓ life altering. And ⁓ and that's what my heart is being present with the people, ⁓ preaching, inspiring. ⁓ the churches do a very good job of doing the work in the ministry. They need, I think, bishops who'll come alongside of them and encourage them. Yeah, absolutely. And I want to go back to that point that you made of that you were not a district or conference superintendent or president pro tem, any of those prior to stepping into this role. You came straight from that local church setting. Do you feel that that was a unique vantage point for you stepping into this role of assembly of bishops? You know, do you think that offered Especially knowing that the Global Methodist Church, we're rooted in the local church, right? Like that's where we want to keep up our focus. Do you think that that was helpful in some of those discussions with the the bishops? I do think it was obviously unique because that I'm the only bishop who has that direct experience. ⁓ but one of the things that that that motivated me to say yes when the delegation from the Trinity Conference asked if I would consider being nominated ⁓ for this role in the life of the church is that I I really believe The bishops should have a pastor's heart. ⁓ a pastor's heart. And all of the bishops have been pastors. ⁓ generally that means you were pastor years ago, ⁓ in a almost in another lifetime. ⁓ but I thought that we we needed to have someone who was in the local church. And since this was a possibility with interim bishops, so that at ⁓ during the course of a year, I still have all of the responsibilities of a local pastor. I still fill out end of the year reports. I am still making a budget for my local church. ⁓ and so the ⁓ the ⁓ connectional giving funding that a annual conference, I feel that. I know exactly what that is ⁓ in the local church. And so I think having that ⁓ that experience not behind me, but living right in in the midst of it, allows me to bring that conversation to the table with the assembly of bishops. and so I don't think bishops lose that heart, but I think sometimes we have to be reminded. That there are people who show up who are hungry and thirsty for Jesus Christ. There are people who have been in the church all of their lives who in many cases have have grown weary of the church and administration and legislation and the things that seemed to have n make no difference in their lives. And so I just thought it would be helpful to the assembly of bishops in the beginning of this church if there was someone who was still connected to the church and and and and to kind of close that loop. Because the way we started. That was a possibility. You could be elected because they were asking us to be interim. ⁓ and you know, ⁓ as sincerely as I can say, ⁓ Diane, if that had not been a possibility, then I would not be talking with you today because I would not have left the local church to pursue this. And so I thought it was a unique time and opening and ⁓ and wanted to do that if I could help the church, and if the church agreed with that. Right. So then I'm gonna flip that question a little bit now, hearing how you answered that. How would you take some of those experiences and leadership lessons that maybe you had through the Assembly of Bishops? How are you what are you taking back as you step back into to the role of just local church? ⁓ thank you so very much for that for that question, because it is a two sides to the coin. So as I mentioned earlier about how we as an assembly of bishops ⁓ have a deep abiding respect for one another, how we listen closely to one another, how we invite information in from just all kinds of perspectives and we're we're keenly aware that we are part of a global church. And so we're not looking for North American perspectives primarily or we want to hear from the world because the world is indeed our parish. And so I bring from the assembly of bishops a new sense of listening, a new appreciation for it. A new appreciation for I've been pastor here at the local congregation that I serve for eighteen years. So ⁓ You know, the the children I baptized eighteen years ago graduated from high school. I I've been a part of their families, all of those things. And so w you you understand these things conceptually in your mind to listen, to understand. But this is deepen that sense of the wisdom that's in the room, to be quiet and seek that wisdom in the room. ⁓ because sometimes as pastor y you've kinda done these things a lot of times. I know the answer to that. I know how this should go. And so this has really been helpful ⁓ to me. ⁓ in terms of of of using that in the life of our church. And clearly it's also caused me to look at how we're structured as as as a denomination and think about how we order the life of a church and how those ⁓ those interplay. What's happening at the general level, how does it actually impact the local church? And I think also reminding our ⁓ local church members that their voice can be heard. That ⁓ in the Global Message Church, you actually can call your bishop. Right. And and have a conversation. If you email me, I'll re I'll respond to your email. ⁓ and and so just being together in that way, ⁓ and then this kind of intentional way of living as as Episcopal leaders where we want to say to the people, we're called a serve and this is what service looks like. And so ⁓ I think it's I think it's ⁓ Amplified that for me in my local congregation. Yeah, absolutely. And ⁓ I think so much of the work I have just admired, just that, the way that you guys have listened and just really showed that, hey, we're we're servant leaders there and and being that example. And so ⁓ that has been something really that I think as a global Methodist ⁓ church member, that's been I think refreshing and great to see. And I I feel like that just is going to continue to trickle down and just make our church better in in all the ways. ⁓ you know, we also are celebrating the fact that Bishop Livingston, you ⁓ will hold a historic place in global mess methodist history as you were the first African American elected as bishop. And so, you know, for me, I love that and I'm the significance of that. ⁓ and I'm sure for you is huge. If it's for me, I I g I was excited for you. I can only imagine what that meant to you. And so I would love for you to maybe share a little bit with the audience of like what that moment meant to you personally. This is multifaceted ⁓ perspective. We we live in a world that's so divided, I don't have to tell anyone that ⁓ you know you pick an issue and ⁓ we will find a way ⁓ to be at odds with one another about that. If we're gonna be a global Methodist church, a global church in the Wesleyan way, then ⁓ that church is gonna have to reflect the globe. And ⁓ and it does in many ways. And so this ⁓ initial election in Costa Rica. ⁓ based on those who were elected, really kind of sent a signal, I think, saying that we're not just talking about being a global church. We're living into that, and these things are important to us. And what we're looking for is we're looking for people who God has gifted and given grace to to help lead us in this apostolic role in the life of the church. That gifting of God, I believe, is in all of God's body, not in any particular group of people. And so The church is called to discern that. And so clearly I'm grateful that the church saw God's calling in my life and said, We believe God has called you to help lead us in this apostolic ⁓ ministry. And so for that, I'm I'm deeply grateful. I'm deeply concerned ⁓ about African American representation in the global Methodist Church ⁓ in North America. Clearly, we are ⁓ a global church and there are people of color from around the globe. ⁓ but when you look at the United States, which is ⁓ a very diverse country. ⁓ our the number of African American persons who are in the Global Methodist Church is very low. ⁓ there I think fifteen or sixteen congregations in the United States that are primarily African American congregations, the vast majority of those in the Trinity Trinity Compass. Now, so my heart aches for that because if we don't grow in the African American church, that means that 15, 20, 30 years from now that presence will be ⁓ will will go away. So I don't I don't bemoan that or or or find myself ⁓ sorrowful for that because we're a church planting denomination. Absolutely. I believe that God is gonna plant churches all over the United States and communities, ⁓ in cities and rural areas, and that the that persons of color will be welcomed in the global Methodist Church. And so while I don't spend a lot of time thinking about being first in that. I understand that somewhere somebody will look back in the book and say, hey, this guy was African American. He was one of the first elected along the way. I want, I want to do what God has called me to do. And I want to do it in such a way that the people who I serve will see who I am, fully who I am. I'm an African American male born at a certain time in the United States. But at the end of the day, At the end of the day, I wear the name of Christian. And I want to serve God in this way. And if that then says to someone that God indeed can use the whole body, ⁓ then I'm grateful for that. ⁓ but my work, my work in the church is because of my deep love for God, my deep love for the people of God. ⁓ and I think that we should have a heart for the whole body. And if we look around the room and the whole body isn't there, then someone should say, What's going on? What what's going on if if if we're a global church and we're looking for the whole body, if someone's not here, how do we make sure that we are including everyone in the body of Christ? That that's beautiful. Such a beautiful statement. And so on that note, I would ask you then what advice would you give maybe those younger people of color or people that aren't represented in the body as of yet, is like we would like to. That are maybe discerning the leadership or call to ministry, what advice would you give them to help encourage them? Yeah, so I think I think again, this is multifaceted. ⁓ people are being called to serve God in all kinds of areas a r ⁓ across the planet. As you know in the Global Methodist Church we d we don't own seminaries and so we don't have this pipeline of of persons who are global Methodist ⁓ in a specific set aside global Methodist seminary. So I think we have to do a really good job of saying to persons who are Hispanic, who are African American, who that the Global Methodist Church wants you to be a part of this. And so we need to reach out and and make ourselves known ⁓ so that we're not simply known by geography, we're not simply known by the predominance of of of our demographics here, but to really say we're a global church and to say to young people, if that's what you're looking for, if you're looking for a global church. That's not dominated by the United States, that is equally Asia and La and Latin America and Africa and we're all at the table. I think that's exciting. I think young people will find it exciting. So we have to do a good job of of making sure people know who we are, because in this polarized world we're in and in the all of the conversation of the last fifty years, people can assume we are this, this and this. We need to make sure people know who we are and we don't allow other people to define us. And so I'm doing my very best in the ways I can, ⁓ and the places that I can to say to persons, hey, come come give the Global Methodist Church a a a look, kick the tires, find out what we believe, find out who we are. And I trust that God will do the rest. And so we do our work, mindful, mindful that we want to look like the body of Christ, and we trust God ⁓ to make ⁓ the increase. Yes, for sure. And on that note, so what would you say are some of the things that excite you the most of where the Lord is working and pushing the future of the Global Methodist Church forward? Yeah. So one of the things that's just super exciting is the growth of the Global Methodist Church around the world. It's all it's as if you can hardly come. I know you can't spend a month with the assembled bishops and there's not a new annual conference, right? ⁓ and so this morning. ⁓ Assembly of Bishops meets every Wednesday morning, eight AM Central ⁓ standard ⁓ time. And wherever I go and I tell people this, I don't think they really grasp we start by praying for annual conferences. So we have fifty-one of those, fifty-two, and and so we've we've gone around and we pray for every annual conference. Every week we're praying for annual conference. By the way, this morning we were praying for Angola and Allegheny West. Two very different Places on the globe. And we're praying for Angola and Allegheny West. Yeah, like that. Hello, that kind of is like in a nutshell, the global respect, right? And we start every gathering. And so there's an agenda. But before we get to the agenda, we're praying for these annual conferences, the concerns that they've sent us, the things that they're asking us to pray for. We pray for one another. And so that's exciting. That's exciting. ⁓ and again, I've never been on a c on a cabinet or ⁓ a council of bishops, so but I think that's unusual that we will spend and by the way, I want you to know, we're not talking a drive-by prayer. We're not talking that we have it on the agenda, let's do two minutes and let's get to the business. This could take thirty-five, forty-five minutes and we have only a little time for the actual work. And so that's exciting to know that we have that type of episcopal leadership who understands the power of prayer. Another exciting thing for me is our emphasis on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That we want to be a church that acknowledges the power of the Holy Spirit. Not just give ⁓ acknowledgement. Well, we know the spirit's moving, but we believe in the manifestation of the Holy Spirit that God is moving in God's spirit. And so the signs and wonders and and miracles should be happening, and they are happening around the globe. And so that's a very exciting thing to see this turning back and seeking the spirit ⁓ in our worship, ⁓ in ⁓ how we make decisions in the life of the church. This morning again, ⁓ Bishop Gregory gave our devotion, and it was Acts ⁓ chapter fifteen, and I won't go through all of that. But to simply say there's a place around verse 28 or so where it says, and the spirit was willing. The spirit was willing. It seemed good to the spirit and to us. And so if we can do our work, and there's work to do, legislative work, organizational work to do, there's work to do. But if we can do that work, always saying, What is the spirit telling us? What is the spirit doing in this place? Then we're gonna we're gonna do things. ⁓ in a way that brings glory to God. So I'm really excited about how I am seeing the spirit ⁓ move, how the church is growing around the world. ⁓ I am excited when I go to Peru or ⁓ to Panama and I'm meeting with those persons who are there who are starting house churches all over the place, these places where there are 10 or 15 or 20 people who love the Lord and who are hungry and thirsty for the good news of Jesus Christ. Who by the way, Don't mind speaking to their neighbors about Jesus, right? Who are going out and at bus stops and in parks and say, Can I talk to you about Jesus? Can I tell you what ju if that doesn't get you excited, if that doesn't just say, God is at work in this place. So really excited about ⁓ about those things that are happening each day across the globe, ⁓ in in our our our church. And then this thing I I'm excited about that you don't see is that our commissions. Filled with laity who have committed themselves to this work and they are meeting constantly, trying to do their very best in very trying situations, time limits that compress them. This is the kingdom. This is really the kingdom. And so while that work may not be exciting, when you take a step back and you see all of these people who have been called by God, giving their best self. So that we may be a better denomination. That excites me and and I thank God for them. No, absolutely. Like that has been in ⁓ even in my role, I am humbled every day by the amount of hands who go up to say, Hey, I am willing to do this for the church. And it is just one of those another ⁓ area that I don't know if we'll ever be able to say thank you enough, but truly it is what makes us go and what makes it function in more ways than one and truly just living out and being the hands and feet of Christ across the Global Methodist Church through those volunteers willing to do that. And so I think that's such a beautiful testament. And I just love how excited you just got talking about all of that. I'm like, yes, yes, like you nailed it. Let's go. And so, you know, I I think that that excitement's still going to be there for the Global Methodist Church. We're always going to have a cheerleader in Bishop Livingston for sure. But Now you get to maybe do a little more things on your personal side that you may have maybe not had quite the time for the past couple of years. And so as you prepare just for this different rhythm of ministry in life, like personally, what are you looking forward to the most? So let me tell you something that's immediate. Tomorrow, my wife Shonda and I celebrate our 37th ⁓ anniversary. Happy anniversary. Yes. And shout out to Shonda. She's amazing. Yeah, she's she's in the kitchen working now, ⁓ preparing for the memorial services. So so I'm excited about that. And and I use that as an introduction. I am looking forward to spending more time ⁓ with my wife in in in that way. ⁓ this is ⁓ time consuming because ⁓ I try to be as present ⁓ in ⁓ my role as bishop. ⁓ I try to be as present in my role in at at my church and ⁓ and so as a matter of integrity ⁓ with the church, ⁓ I feel it's my responsibility because I spend so much time away that when I'm here that I really have to dig in and be present and and try to be as available as I can possibly be because because I've I've been called to the local church ⁓ as well. And so so I look forward to that. No as you ⁓ sorry, go ahead. Go ahead. I just I love hearing you talk about the church. For three years, for three years, ⁓ I served three local congregations as senior pastor and then took on this role ⁓ in the episcopacy. I won't spend a lot of time, but there were two smaller churches about 50 miles from my home north, and my church is 39 miles south of my home. And so I served those churches and my my local congregation, the highway church. They have been so gracious and so kind because of their love for God, their love for the Global Methodist Church, and that love for that pastor that they've literally said to me, Pastor, if you think that's where God is calling you, then we will support you. And so all of the time that you're taken away from your local church and things, they've not grumbled or said anything, just been very, very supportive. And so I look forward to being able to look to them and say, Now I can give you the full attention and time. ⁓ we just recently moved back into our building. It was ⁓ comp we were out fourteen months during that period of time. I was also we were out fourteen months having the building renovated, stripped down to the ⁓ to the to the studs and redone. And we moved back in in June. And so we're finding our footing again in terms of work and ministry. I am ⁓ a ⁓ of a certain age, ⁓ and so I know that I have more local church ministry behind me than before me. And so it's really important these next few years ⁓ to make sure that this church ⁓ is fruitful, ⁓ that this church is is is on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ. Because whoever God has in waiting, and God has someone I I have no clue who it is, that when they come, they come to a church that's healthy. They come to a church filled with disciples of Jesus Christ. They come to a church where people aren't looking to simply have someone ⁓ pacify them. They want to serve the community. And so we want to have that kind of community. So I'm I am excited about that ⁓ time ⁓ in my life. So these next few years ⁓ in the local church. You asked me earlier about the things I've learned as assembly of bishops. I want to deploy these experiences in the local church. Because I have learned just so many rhythm things, how how things move in the life of the church and I can't wait ⁓ to ⁓ to deploy them in the life of our church. So I'm really excited ⁓ about that. And so the next few years I just want to roll up my sleeves and do the work. So Diane, here's the thing, ⁓ at least I've always thought this. I think pastors should give God their all, take care of ourselves, all of those things. But if you can't give God your whole heart, then I don't you know, and so for me I feel fine physically. I am st every time I stand to preach, I'm still excited. When ⁓ someone calls me and says, ⁓ Pastor, we have a family member, much like today. She's not a member of our church. She's not a member of any church. We'd like to have a memorial service ⁓ for her. I'm I'm and I'm delighted to do that. Absolutely, I'll do that. Absolutely. What can we do to help you? Because the church has to be. the taste of Christ that people get in this world. And so for me, ⁓ I I am excited about those little things. So I don't have any big plans. ⁓ I wanna I'm gonna show up on Sunday and preach and ⁓ teach Bible study twice a week. ⁓ I'm gonna visit the sick, ⁓ try to minister the community and do the things that Christ has called us to do. And ⁓ and so I look forward to getting back to that role ⁓ full time. that and you know we will also get to hear you preach at General Conference in Johannesburg. So we are all looking forward to that as well. ⁓ so let me ask are there any other specific prayers or ways that we as a church, as you go into this next season, we can cover you in prayer. Let me let me just ⁓ cover I have ⁓ it's it's it's like it's f it's funny in some ways. Because I hope that those who are listening will really understand my heart in this. I'm always surprised when God uses me in some way that He hasn't done before, right? Because you know your own limitations. You know ⁓ those things. And so I'm deeply excited ⁓ to have an opportunity ⁓ to preach at at general conference again because I was asked to preach and and and and to be able to do that. Because Sermons happen in the moment in which they are delivered. There's a lot of preparation, there's a lot of getting ready. But in that moment when all of the preparation and the people come together and the spirit shows up, God moves. God moves. And often people will say, Well, no, I've never preached the same sermon twice. Because I preach the same subject matter. I preached the same verses, but it's never, it's like stepping in a river. It's never the same river twice. It's moving along the way. So super excited ⁓ about that. Here's ⁓ to answer your question about how maybe you could pray for me. Let me ask you, ask all of those who are listening, pray for the church, for the global Methodist Church, that we will not lose our way. We will not be the church. Jesus has called us to be simply because we have a different structure. We will not be the church God has called us to be because we do we have really good legislation in South Africa. We're going to be the church Jesus Christ calls us to be if we're willing to surrender ourselves to Him at every level, at every single level. So from our commissions and the leadership that's there, from the assembly of bishops, all of us have to humble ourselves and recognize that That we need God, God does not need us. God is not dependent upon us. That the work of the kingdom will go forward. And I want the Global Methodist Church to be at the forefront of that and not simply be ⁓ another dying denomination that's fighting for its place on the denominational landscape. But rather, saints, we're less concerned about numbers in around the world than about making an impact for the kingdom of God and spreading This Westlean sensibility, this Westlean spirit ⁓ around the world. I believe the world needs that. The Church of Jesus Christ needs that. So please pray for us that we won't lose our way. Pray for all those whom the church will consider to be Episcopal leaders. Pray for them by name. Pray for them with a full heart. That God will choose from among us who God wants. And so here's one of my concerns that we won't be tribal about it. that we won't choose people because they came from our annual conference or they came from our neck of the world and we want our world to be let God choose from among us in the processes that we have. So I pray for that ⁓ because I think that's so deeply important that we don't have winners and losers. That at the end of general conference, whoever is consecrated, the whole church celebrates. Everyone celebrates it. Thank you, God. You've given us the people we needed. We praise you for that. Now let's work with them and they with us to move the church forward. So those are the prayers I would have for the Global Methodist Church. In my own life, I pray ⁓ that you will give me the w, that God would give me the wisdom that when it's time to step away from the local church, I will know that and step away because I love it so much. I love the local church so much. So I want to do that. And and I wanna I wanna have wisdom around that. Because the church doesn't belong to any of us. I've pastored now for forty two years I've been a pastor in ⁓ in a local congregation. ⁓ and so I want to know when to step away from that and whatever else God has ⁓ for me to do. So I would ask for prayers ⁓ for that, ⁓ that I might be fruitful for the church, ⁓ and that ⁓ the work I do will ultimately bring glory ⁓ to the Lord Jesus Christ. That's that's my my hope. I wanna hear him say, Well done. ⁓ and none of this other stuff will matter if I didn't do it in a way that's pleasing to him. Amen. I don't think I could say amen big enough for that entire s statement that you just made about the church and you and so just thank you for that for sure. And so, you know, I want to offer this moment of privilege to you. ⁓ to take it as you may, but we know that leadership and ministry, it's not a one-man job. We know that the Lord calls you to it and and you are like, pick me, I'm going, I'm doing your work. But there are so many people who have loved and supported you through this and maybe even just encouraged you through this time. And so I want to give you a space. Is there any anyone or anybody that you just want to give maybe ⁓ a little bit of gratitude or personal recognition to ⁓ just for how they have, you know, helped you through this season? Yeah. Let me take two minutes maybe to say this. And I'm gonna I'm gonna lump some people together. I think about all what I call the mothers of the church. ⁓ when I was a kid in the church through my teenage years, who always seemed to take a shine to me, right? Who would always ⁓ encourage me and and and and tell me God God's gonna use you ⁓ in in that way. I think all of those ladies and if any of their families are listening, you know exactly who I'm talking about because it's your mom, your grandmother that that I'm speaking of. I want to ⁓ thank people who were clergy. ⁓ many of you ⁓ know ⁓ Scott Jones is is a bishop in the Global Methodist Church, who happens to be, by the way, my bishop because I'm a member of the Trinity Conference, so he's my Episcopal leader. But he was my bishop prior to ⁓ to the Global Methodist Church. And ⁓ in many ways, ⁓ his level of integrity, his level of commitment to the church has always been an inspiration to me. ⁓ and so I've looked to him for a model of ⁓ of of episcopal leadership and though our personalities are really, really different ⁓ in this way, ⁓ I deeply admire him and all of the ⁓ all of the assembly, but Scott has been a part of my life ⁓ in the Global Methodist Church for a very, very long time. I mentioned earlier the local churches that I've served, but then I want to mention my wife. ⁓ as I said, we will celebrate 37 years ⁓ and like most ⁓ like many preachers' spouses She's traveled up and down the road and around the hills and and so many things. So let me tell you this funny thing that happened today. Today, just as a way of sharing how much how much your wife does for you or your spouse does for you. I knew I had a lot to do today. I prepped for it on yesterday. I got up this morning. I left my home at 5 30 a.m. to come to church so I would be ready. Everything's in place except I left my suit. Which I assumed I I assumed I put it in the back of the car. Got to church. I'm working around. Say, well, let me f could find it nowhere. Guess who you call? You call your spouse. And you say, Honey, guess what? What do you n and her what do you need me to do? Not what happened. Maybe she's had a couple of those phone calls before, you know. And and so just as an example, then ⁓ then my wife comes to bring me the suit. She says, Well, I dress so I could work in the kitchen as well. Since I'm here, I should just go and work in the kitchen. So I love my wife. She is the the joy of my life and ⁓ and the greatest help God has ever given me, I think, is God is planning. And I pray that in any way she would think the same about me. We love each other deeply. And so pray for my wife, ⁓ that ⁓ God will give us years to be together. Well, absolutely. And let me just say, if you ever have the privilege of getting to hear Shonda laugh. Her laugh and smile alone is a great reminder to you that there's a Lord. Like there is something about it that fills you with joy no matter what the situation. ⁓ you know, her and I and ⁓ Mary Lou and a couple others met during ⁓ October when we were doing the Episcopal Tour and we all squeezed in this little bitty elevator and Shonda, you just hear her laugh like giggling through and it was just it just in that moment to just take it in in the joy. So Thank you, Shonda, on behalf of the Global Methodist Church as well for the way that you have supported Bishop Livingston so well. And Bishop Livingston, thank you so much for today and just spending the time and this reflection. And really just on behalf of the Global Methodist Church, just thank you for being willing to say yes and the way that you have served our church and your annual conferences. And the more than anything, just the way that you love and are so excited about the Lord and how that's contagious. And that's just going to help. keep fueling what we're doing. And so thank you so much for that. And before we leave today, I would love if you could just maybe take a moment and just close us with a prayer. Absolutely. Absolutely. My sisters and brothers, don't give up on the Global Methodist Church. Don't give up on the Global Methodist Church. Things may not always move the way you want them to move, but know that there are people who love Jesus who are giving their very best. Lord God, we thank you for your son Jesus Christ. Because he lived and died and gave his life for us, God, we through faith in him can die to the sin of this world and indeed live sanctified lives, God. Send us your Holy Spirit, God. Continue to motivate us toward holiness of life, holiness of heart, God. And I thank you so very much for the Global Methodist Church, God. Not because we have some magic elixir or anything, God, but because we believe we come from your heart, God, that we serve. from your heart. So bless all those whose hands are at the wheel, those who are seen and those especially who are unseen, who are doing work in ways that will never be recognized. There'll be no podcast for them, yet God, you know. So God bless your church and bless your people. Is my prayer in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you again. And thank you all for joining us for today's episode of Across the Globe the Podcast. As always, we're grateful to share stories of God's work through the Global Methodist Church. as we make disciples of Jesus Christ who spread scriptural holiness across the globe. Be sure to subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and stay connected for future conversations. And until next time, may we continue to worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. Thank you, everybody.