Foundation names new president By Suzanne McGovern | Aug. 15, 2010 {1208}    LAKELAND — The Florida United Methodist Foundation has named the Rev. Wee-Li Tan its new president effective this fall, following a national search.  He succeeds the Rev. Thomas W. Marston, who is retiring Dec. 31 after 18 years of service, becoming the foundation’s fifth president. The Rev. Wee-Li Tan stands outside the Florida United Methodist Center in Lakeland, which houses the Florida United Methodist Foundation. Photo by Suzanne McGovern. Photo #10-1528. Click on picture for larger photo or view in photo gallery with longer description. Tan has served as president of the United Methodist Foundation of New England for 12 years and calls leading a United Methodist foundation “the most fulfilling work I have ever done.”  “Working in a foundation setting allows me to fulfill my commitment to ministry, and, at the same time, utilize my spiritual gifts in finance and my belief that the theology of stewardship undergirds every aspect of our United Methodist foundation ministry,” he said.  The role of the foundation, Tan says, is to “enhance and empower the ministry of local churches by providing financial services and educational programs that promote faithful stewardship.” During his tenure at the New England foundation, Tan made stewardship development his top priority and introduced educational training programs promoting both personal and congregational stewardship.    A native of Malaysia, Tan holds a Master of Theology in New Testament studies from King’s College at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland; a Bachelor of Divinity from the University of London; and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Singapore. He is currently a candidate for the Chartered Financial Consultant designation from The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pa., which he expects to complete in December.  Tan has served as a missionary in Africa and pastor at churches in Malaysia and Massachusetts. He also served from 1984 to 1987 as an adjunct lecturer in New Testament studies at Malaysian Theological Seminary in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tan has conducted clergy tax seminars around the country and spoken at a variety of events, including the North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy and the Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council’s Spirituality and Stewardship conference. In 1998, he received the Wilbur C. Ziegler award for excellence in preaching from the New England Annual Conference. Tan was a clergy delegate to the 1996 and 2000 General Conferences of The United Methodist Church and an alternate in 2004 and 2008. He has been a delegate four times to the Northeast Jurisdictional Conference.  Tan also serves on the boards of directors of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church — as a member of the executive committee and chairman of the investment committee — and United Methodist-related Africa University in Zimbabwe, as treasurer of the executive committee. He is a director of The United Methodist Church Foundation, serving on its funds management committee after chairing its giving and development committee. He has also been a member of the management team of the National Association of United Methodist Foundations. Tan and his wife, Lynn, have three children: Jeremy, 25, Alexander, 21, and Hilary, 18. The Florida United Methodist Foundation was established in 1966 as an agency of the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Its mission is to facilitate giving and foster sound stewardship practices within local churches and conference agencies. It also serves as a channel in handling planned gifts to United Methodist institutions. Core ministries include investment management, custodial and trustee services, loans, stewardship development, and a variety of educational and training programs. Related story Marston to retire as foundation president News media contact: Tita Parham, 800-282-8011, tparham@flumc.org, Orlando *Parham is managing editor of e-Review Florida United Methodist News Service. **McGovern is vice president of communications for the Florida United Methodist Foundation Inc. in Lakeland, Fla. Printer Friendly Version     Share