My name is Anthony Tang. I am a child of God, a husband, a dad, a pastor, a strategist, and an “organic organizational gardener.”
My Intentions
I am prayerfully considering the office of a bishop because I want to work with our Methodist siblings, gardening organically.
What is an organic organizational gardener?
Organic gardeners reject artificial fertilizers and growth hormones that boost the size of plants while destroying their internal structure and making them susceptible to invading insects.
Likewise, organically gardening an organization rejects an emphasis on quick fixes and a “butts-in-seats” mentality that undermines lay ministry. Instead, to garden an organization organically means emphasizing health, principles, communication, collaboration, and an operational framework for problem-solving that places power and decision-making authority in the hands of both the laity and the clergy of our local ministries.
This vision of the church builds internal health and strength first. It is a vision based on trusting each other and trusting God for growth. To read more specifics on my leadership priorities and style, please click here.
Fulfilling My Vows
As a Christian and a Methodist (imperfect yet striving to be faithful), I am committed to the giving of my prayers, my presence, my gifts, my service, and my witness.
My Prayers
I haven’t always gotten the miracles I’ve prayed for, but Christ has never let me down. Christ continues to be my source of strength and hope through adversity.
My Presence
I have been under appointment in the Desert Southwest Conference since 1997, and I have prayerfully gone wherever I have been sent in every appointment. I am and will remain committed to my own participation in the appointment process/itineracy.
My Gifts
My wife, Katherine, and I always strive to be good stewards of our gifts. We are personally committed to tithing and generosity. Furthermore, the churches I have served have always paid their full apportionments or successfully worked toward full payment of them within two years of my arrival, and they have maintained policies of open and transparent finances.
My Service
I serve or have served at all levels of the United Methodist Church: in general agencies, the Western Jurisdiction, the Desert Southwest Conference, districts, and local churches.
I serve or have served in all three branches of the UMC structure: executive (WJ Mission Cabinet and DSC Extended Cabinet), legislative (General and Jurisdictional Conferences), and judicial (WJ Committee on Appeals).
My Witness
I preach sermons well-grounded in the scriptures, with an inclusive, grace-filled, practical focus on what God is doing in our lives to equip us for the Good News.
I am not afraid to take personal risks to advocate for full inclusion of ethnic, racial, gender, and sexual minorities in the church and to work against authoritarianism and executive orders.