James Scott Mayer
Native son of Texas, Seminary of the Southwest alumnus, Bishop of Northwest Texas, you lead as a true friend and lover of the people you serve.
Born in Dallas, educated at Texas Tech University, your work in sales was enjoyable, but a call to ordained ministry grew and persisted. That call was blessed by the Church of the Incarnation and the Diocese of Dallas, and you came to Austin for your seminary training and formation.
Your seminary dean recalls your quiet lack of self promotion and your genuine willingness to pursue the truth from whatever source.
You credit the experience you received over the years in a variety of congregations- small, large, evangelical, high-church, low-church, renewal, contemplative, liberal, and conservative- with playing a large part in your formation as priest.
Your appreciation and respect for the diversity of the Church, and your love for your parishioners surely was instrumental when, as rector during a particular time of division and strife in the greater Church, your congregation remained stable and harmonious while holding diversity of thought among the membership. Your former senior warden and close friend says, "He absolutely and totally loved the people. Everybody felt a great friendship with him."
As bishop, you are known for your ability to see everyone as a child of God and to articulate for your diocese a clear vision achieved through collaboration and incremental change. To quote your assistant, "He walks with us."
A lifelong fan of baseball, holding an ever fading dream of pitching for the Yankees, you bring honor to your seminary by providing such an exemplary model of servant leadership. For the promise of your faithful ministry as bishop and friend, we are pleased to confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.
May 11, 2010 Austin, Texas
