Report spurs questions about UMC future

Reflections on the church

Below is an excerpt from the Strategic Plan of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, of which I am a member. I found this plan to be instructive and thought I would share it with you, as it has long-range implications for the ministry of the entire United Methodist Church.
Some things leap out. One is the implications for the church of ethnic changes in our country.
I think the question for us is this: What must we do now as a church to have a vibrant future? 
One of my favorite quotes, which I use in my Stewardship Think Tank presentations, is from the Rev. Earnest Campbell, pastor of Riverside Church, New York City, in the previous generation: 
“To be young is to study in schools we did not build. To be mature is to build schools in which we will not study.
“To be young is to swim in pools we did not dig. To be mature is to dig pools in which we will not swim.
“To be young is to dance to music we did not write. To be mature is to write music to which we will not dance.
“To be young is to worship in churches we did not build. To be mature is to build churches in which we may not worship.”
What does maturity look like for the  McAllen District? For the Southwest Texas Conference?