Keep Telling the Story

By Paul Bowman, President and CEO, Holston Foundation

The United Methodist Church’s General Conference concluded last week. In 2018, the Holston Foundation made a statement regarding General Conference that still applies today: “No decision made at General Conference will impact a church’s ability to invest with the Holston Foundation. Decisions made at General Conference do not impact an individual’s ability to give through the Holston Foundation.”

Since the Holston Foundation is chartered separately from the Holston Annual Conference, the policies and decisions of the Foundation’s leadership are not shaped by the Annual or the General Conference. The Holston Foundation is in ministry with both United Methodist churches, ministries, individuals, and those who are historically United Methodist. Our ministry of serving as a partner in stewardship to churches, ministries, and generous individuals continues.

During General Conference, I had the opportunity to be in Charlotte, North Carolina twice—once for a gathering of the Southeastern Jurisdiction’s National Association of United Methodist Foundations (of which I currently serve as president) and then again to be an observer at General Conference.

On one day between those trips to Charlotte, both the Holston Foundation’s Board of Directors met to provide leadership and set policy and the Foundation held its annual meeting where nearly 100 partners in ministry gathered to celebrate over lunch. We spent time reflecting on the 200-year history of Methodism in Holston, which is filled with both thriving ministry and conflicts. From that single day of decisions and celebrations, my takeaway was this: keep telling the story.

Keep telling the story of those who have poured generously into your life. Keep telling the story of faith. Keep telling the story of where we have been as Methodists and where God is calling us. Keep telling the story of generosity. Keep telling your story, and remember that your legacy is more than the possessions you leave.

If you have questions or concerns about the impact for you, your church, your ministry, or your legacy, I encourage you to reach out to the Holston Foundation staff for a confidential conversation.

I look forward to continuing to serve individuals who have a passion for making a difference through their local church or favorite ministry. Join us as we continue to build upon our successful investment track record in the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world.