Now that [Mark] Lawrence’s calling into a higher level of responsibility has become a reality for him — a bishop is to be “the shepherd of the shepherds of God” and “the chief shepherd of the diocese,” he said — Lawrence is a very busy man.
“The closest I can compare what I’m going through right now is trying to learn a new language in an intensive program,” he said. “There are so many dimensions to the ministry and work of a bishop that I’m immersed in learning all the dimensions.”
Since relocating to South Carolina near the start of this year, he has been learning all he can from retiring bishop the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon Jr., who served in that capacity for 18 years and will be one of Lawrence’s consecrating bishops. Lawrence will have to oversee at least 70 missions and parishes and about 30,000 diocesan members. He will be responsible for the confirmation of new believers and the ordination and appointment of deacons and priests in parishes within the diocese.
He will also have to sit on the boards of two seminaries, several colleges and a slew of other institutions to which the South Carolina Diocese is connected.