TAMPA, Fla. — In a three-day briefing, more than 300 delegates, communicators and others got a preview of the diverse issues that the lawmaking body of The United Methodist Church will tackle in spring.

Representing the North Texas Conference, the Rev. Jan Davis, the second elected clergy, and Ricky Harrison, the first elected layperson and lay delegation leader, joined the Pre-General Conference meeting Jan. 19-21 at the Tampa Convention Center.

 
NTC delegates the Rev. Jan Davis (left) and Ricky Harrison (right) attended the briefing in Tampa, Fla

United Methodist Communications sponsored the event, with involvement and support from other agencies and ministries of the church.

Other agencies and ministries of the church also supported and were involved in the preview of some of the issues the delegates will face April 24- May 4.

After attending the briefing, "I feel prepared in my mind because there is so much legislation that we learned about," Rev. Davis said.

"I feel prepared in my heart because we talked about the issues that could potentially divide us," she said. "I feel prepared in my spirit because I am open to what God wants to do through The United Methodist Church. And I am so thankful that North Texas gets to be a part of that."

Harrison was also optimistic and excited.

"This has been a great experience for me as a first-time delegate. I am taking it all in," he said in Tampa. "We've been talking about the big issues. . . . I have met folks from all across the jurisdiction and across the country. I have met people on my legislative team, and we talked about the issues we will focus on when we come back here for General Conference."

He also provided some perspective as a younger delegate.

"This is a wonderful experience to be here as a young person," Harrison said. "It is good to meet other young persons in the UM connection, those in college and in high school.

"I am enjoying meeting the young adult leaders, whether lay or clergy, and working with them to see what it means to be a young leader in The United Methodist Church."

United Methodist News Service contributed to this report.