Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. is a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church (UMC). He has preached, lectured, and led workshops in over 20 nations worldwide and throughout the United States. A native of Houston, Texas, he holds a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center at Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology. He began his ministry in the South Georgia Conference of The UMC, serving as a deacon, an elder, and a district superintendent. Following his election to the episcopacy in 2004, he served the Holston Conference of The UMC until 2012 and the Mississippi Conference of The UMC from 2012 through his retirement on January 1, 2023. In April 2023, he began his current role as Bishop-in-Residence at United Theological Seminary. He is also currently the interim General Secretary of United Methodist Men.