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Seeing a Way Forward: The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai

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The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai takes part in a panel discussion during the Pre-General Conference Briefing in Portland, Ore. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS 
The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai takes part in a panel discussion during the Pre-General Conference Briefing in Portland, Ore. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai is chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table. Formed by the 2004 General Conference, the Connectional Table’s role is to serve as both the visioning body of the church and the steward of resources to carry out the vision of the denomination worldwide.

Bigham-Tsai spoke with UM News as part of “Seeing a Way Forward,” a video series featuring different perspectives of church leaders on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.

"The mission is yet alive."
There is great anxiety as the special 2019 General Conference approaches, but the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table, wants to remind all United Methodists that once the conference ends, God will still be calling them to mission in the world.

"My prayer for the church"
The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table, said that in the midst of anxiety over the future direction of The United Methodist Church, she continues to pray for unity.

After GC2019, Connectional Table's work continues
The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table, said that regardless of the decisions made at the special 2019 General Conference, the Connectional Table will continue to focus on the worldwide nature of the denomination and local church vitality.

Is the church "stuck" on one issue?
"Being stuck is a choice," says the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table. She hopes that even if the church is stuck, there are mechanisms in the institution to get it unstuck.

This is the thirteenth in a series of video interviews by United Methodist News Service. View all interviews.

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General Agencies
The Rev. Reggie Clemons, a General Council on Finance and Administration board member (center, with microphone), and the Rev. Theon Johnson III, a Connectional Table member (on keyboard), join together to lead worship at a joint Feb. 19-20 meeting to finalize the proposed denominational budget heading to General Conference. In developing the 2025-2028 budget, the GCFA board and Connectional Table found common ground at the recent meeting in Franklin, Tenn., even as they grappled with shrinking the budget to account for church disaffiliations. Photo by Melissa Jackson, General Council on Finance and Administration.

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