Message from Bishop Schol – New Superintendent Delaware Bay District

November 14, 2016 | GNJ News, Messages from the Bishop

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I am pleased to announce that the Rev. Glenn J. Conaway will be the new District Superintendent for the Delaware Bay District.

Rev. Conaway has served Greater New Jersey for 30 years in Fairton, Moorestown and at Trinity in Mullica Hill. In each appointment new disciples were made, congregational vitality grew and disciples engaged in community transformation. During his time at Trinity Church in Mullica Hill he worked side by side with clergy and laity to transform a congregation worshiping under 100 people each week to one of our largest congregations of 500 worshipers attending three different services in a newly built facility on a 16 acre site. Rev. Conaway is a transformational leader.

Currently he is serving a third term on the Board of Ordained Ministry, has served two terms on the District Committee of Ordained Ministry for the Delaware Bay District, has been a clergy mentor, served on the Board of The United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, and was a Trustee for the former Southern New Jersey Annual Conference.  In 2005, he received the Denman Evangelism Award. Rev. Conaway is connectional leader.

His wife, Holly (Thielking) Conaway is a public school teacher and they have two grown married children: Timothy and his wife Emily and Bethany Vega and her husband Fred.

In selecting a new superintendent, I work very closely with the cabinet in evaluating each person who is suggested.  Rev. Conaway exemplifies many of the characteristics we look for in clergy.

  1. Transformational Leader – a Spirit-led pioneer who initiates a vision of what could be, develops strategies and inspires people to work together to achieve life and world changing mission.
  2. Passionate – a contagious love for God and people, is excited about the mission and moves people and ideas to action.
  3. Open – grounded and yet embraces new ideas and learnings. A grace filled leader that is open to and embraces people who think, look, act and live differently.
  4. Relational – genuine in their relationship with God and others, seeks a team experience and connects with others through their interests and ideas.
  5. Learner – teachable and dedicated to learning and applying new ideas.
  6. Creative – doesn’t let adaptive challenges stop the mission but is curious and inquisitive, takes risks and applies innovative ideas even when there is limited resources to overcome challenges.

Rev. Conaway will officially begin this new appointment on July 1, 2017 but he will begin working with the cabinet to assist in making appointments and working with Superintendents Bethke and Roberts on matters pertaining to the Delaware Bay District.

I invite you to pray for Glenn as he prepares for this new ministry among us.

Keep the faith!

John Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church
of Greater New Jersey

Find out more about Rev. Glenn J. Conaway and his appointment here.