The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai continues the Connectional Table’s “Emerging” interviews, this time with Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, leader of the Louisiana Episcopal Area and also the current President of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church. They discuss the marks of a contemporary United Methodist, living in the tension of our differences, attuning our ears to the devastation of Covid-19 and racism, and the leadership and election of bishops.
What are the characteristics of a contemporary United Methodist?
In her discussion with the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey identifies openness — particularly of our communion table — as foundational to the identity of United Methodists.
How do we deal with our diversity in the context of our connection?
The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai and Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey talk about living in the tension of our differences and learning to love those with whom we disagree.
How can the church be vital and relevant in the midst of our current crises?
In a world devastated by Covid-19, racism, and natural disasters, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey urges us to use this time to listen to what the world is telling us — particularly to those who live on the margins — and to commit to dismantling racism within our own church.
Emerging Methodism Video Series Introduction
Wesley's historic questions were about what to teach, how to teach and what to do. For the next interval of features for the Connectional Table's Emerging Forum we will seek to update these questions for our current moment. We will invite energetic conversation that will illumine our identity which is tied to what and how we teach, our preferred actions, what we do and our abiding hopes as we envision the future United Methodist Church.
About Emerging: God Is Doing a New Thing in United Methodism
This video interview is part of a series created for "Emerging: God Is Doing a New Thing in United Methodism," which is an online forum created by the Connectional Table to engage United Methodists with a diversity of perspectives from across our worldwide connection in thinking deeply about what is emerging at this time in the life of our connection.