Quotes of the Day for 4/24/2012

“We are not your history, we are not Tampa’s or Florida’s history. We are living, breathing vibrant people. You are welcome in our homeland.” --Marcus Briggs-Cloud, a member of the Maskoke Nation
“Like the first four by the Sea of Galilee, we have gathered beside Tampa Bay to clean and mend our nets. It is our business because once every four years we have this need to get together to amend and fix the nets we know as United Methodism.” --Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, president of Council of Bishops in opening worship
“I have it on good authority that Jesus will show up here in Tampa while we are busy with our nets. We will be invited to leave it all behind and follow Jesus.” --Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, president of Council of Bishops in opening worship

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General Church
The Rev. Paul Seay. Photo courtesy of the author.

Leadership Gathering should focus on local church

United Methodist leaders have benignly neglected local congregations for too long, a pastor writes. Any effort to revitalize the denomination must focus on them.
General Church
The Rev. Dr. Luan-Vu “Lui” Tran. Photo courtesy of author.

A vision for funding regional conferences

Each regional United Methodist conference should contribute according to its capacity. Equal constitutional authority doesn’t require equal financial obligation, writes an assistant chancellor.
General Church
The Rev. Dr. Lloyd T. Nyarota and The Rev. Albert Otshudi Longe. Photos courtesy of the authors.

An invitation to reflect on the denomination’s future

Two participants in the coming Leadership Gathering raise questions about The United Methodist Church’s structure, leadership and evangelism that could help frame discussions about the denomination’s future.

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