Image
Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton was elected to the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church on November 2, 2022. Her assignment as Resident Bishop, North Carolina Episcopal Area, commenced on January 1, 2023, in the North Carolina Conference, one of 53 conferences of The United Methodist Church in the United States.
As Bishop, she oversees the work of 433 churches and 936 clergy leaders across 56 counties in eastern North Carolina, from Elon to the coast and from the South Carolina border to the Virginia border.
As an emeritus member of the Board of Visitors of Duke University Divinity School, Bishop Shelton lives in the rich history of Methodist founder John Wesley, who said, “Education of highest quality will produce a capable and caring citizenry to serve the world’s communities.” Grounded in Wesleyan theology and practice, Bishop Shelton envisions the Church joining God’s transformational work of peace-building in every community.
Bishop Shelton’s experience includes serving as pastor of rural, urban, small, medium, and large membership churches, executive director of The United Methodist Hour radio and television ministry of the Mississippi Conference, director of Field Education at Duke University Divinity School, director of Connectional Ministries, and a District Superintendent of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Shelton holds a Bachelor of Science in Radio, Television, and Film and a Master of Arts in Public Relations from The University of Southern Mississippi. She also has a Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School (‘97) and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Bishop Shelton is married to Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton, Duke University Divinity School ‘97, and they have two adult daughters.
Elected to the Duke University Board of Trustees in 2025, Bishop Shelton serves on the External Engagement Committee.
July 2025