Journey With Bishop Stanton's Legacy

James M. Stanton retired as the Sixth Episcopal Bishop of Dallas in May 2014. Since that time, he has continued an active ministry in many ways. He has served congregations in the Diocese of Dallas who are searching for new leadership, teaches at the Stanton Institute of the Diocese of Dallas, leads Bible studies and spiritual retreats in various venues, and mentors many new clergy.

Throughout his ministry, Bishop Stanton has emphasized dedication to the Apostles' Teaching. After retirement, he formed ACTS 242, a foundation that would support this work. The name is based on the passage found in The Acts of the Apostles, 2:42: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." At the formation of this ministry, Bishop Stanton noted, "This is the first description of the Church given in Scripture. It must remain the focus of Christians as we move into the future."

A native of Atchison, Kansas, Stanton graduated from Chapman University in Southern California. After college, he pursued ordination in the Disciples of Christ and attended Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He transferred to the Southern California School of Theology at Claremont, where he graduated with a D.Min. degree in 1975. He spent a year of further study at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California. He has received honorary doctorates from Nashotah House Seminary (Wisconsin), The University of the South (Tennessee), and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (California).

Stanton served in the ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) until 1976. Before his election as bishop in 1992, Stanton served churches in Reseda and Stockton, California. For five years, he served as Rector of St. Luke's Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and for six years as Rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glendale, California.

Stanton was married to Diane Louise Hanson in December 1968. Together, they engaged in ministries at home and abroad. They were the parents of two, Jennifer and Justin, and became the grandparents of six. During their 52 years together, they focused on planting new churches at home while developing close relationships of mission around the world, especially in Uganda. Diane was well-known for her work among the Batwa Pygmies in southwest Uganda, as well as Uganda Christian University. The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas has established the Diane Stanton Award in memory of her extraordinary life and witness. She passed into a larger life in 2021.