More about our Vision...
Search for Vision-related content on social media with #LoveServeLeadUMC, and use the hashtag when posting stories about your congregation’s commitment to loving boldly, serving joyfully and leading courageously!
Be inspired with these commentaries and articles from across the connection:
Church leaders: Help spread the word!
Consider how you can help build excitement and awareness about the Vision of The UMC. Explore resources, tips, promotional tools and additional information.
The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully,and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.
- Love Boldly: We passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender, and walk of life. (Matthew 22:37-39 | John 13:34-35)
- Serve Joyfully: With the heart of Christ, we journey alongside the most vulnerable among us, offering care and compassion with joy. (Psalm 100:1 | Nehemiah 8:10 | John 13:14-15 | 1 Peter 4:10)
- Lead Courageously: Following Jesus’ example, we resist and dismantle all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice, and reconciliation. (Joshua 1:9 | Ephesians 6:10)
Guiding statements for mission and ministry
Key statements clearly define who United Methodists are and who we strive to be. They work in conjunction with each other and unite us in shared ministry.
The Mission of the denomination is our driving purpose, our why: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” This is set by the General Conference.
The path to our Vision
Our vision reflects both who we already are and God’s dream for us. Beginning in 2021, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table journeyed together in prayerful collaboration, seeking God’s wisdom and discerning a hope-filled vision for an unfolding era in The United Methodist Church. “Sankofa” – a West African concept of remembering where we’ve come from in order to move forward – guided the work.
The Vision was unveiled in 2025.
The Vision tells us where we are going and how we will continue to live into and accomplish our mission: “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.” This is set by the Council of Bishops with the Connectional Table.
The Brand Promise reminds us of what everyone should expect to find in United Methodist congregations and organizations: “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” As it is primarily used in external, seeker-facing messaging, this is set by United Methodist Communications.
Every United Methodist around the world is called to embrace the Mission in their daily living, dream of the possibilities that God has placed before us through the Vision, and embody a consistent welcoming presence that is shared in our Brand Promise.
This page was published on August 13, 2025. The contact is Joe Iovino.
