Taking inspiration from Scripture, UMC Bishops and other denominational leaders have developed a new vision statement for The United Methodist Church.
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The vision states: “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.”
The hope is this new vision makes clear both who United Methodists are and where God is leading them.
United Methodist leaders used a “countercultural approach” in developing the vision statement, said her fellow co-chair Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez. He leads the Upper New York and Susquehanna conferences.
To discern God’s dream, church leaders prayerfully engaged in listening sessions, starting in 2021, with United Methodists around the globe.
Church leaders also drew on the counsel of Bible passages, in both the Old and New Testaments, with an eye toward following Jesus’ example.
Each part derives from Scripture.
- Love boldly, inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35, means: United Methodists passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life.
- Serve joyfully, inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10, means: With a Christ-like heart, journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy.
- Lead courageously, inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10, means: Follow Jesus’ example by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation.
The new vision statement aims to complement the denomination’s nearly 30-year-old mission statement, based on Matthew 28:18-20: “The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone sees the vision statement as a catalyst for transformation that will help guide the work of the Leadership Gathering that the bishops are planning next year. Participants include bishops, general-agency heads, and three leaders from each of the denomination’s 53 episcopal areas. The gathering will have no decision-making authority but is intended to join in the visioning work.
While the mission of making disciples remains unchanged, she said, the question before those at the gathering will be: “How do we get there?”
The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s policy book, says the Connectional Table’s responsibilities include discerning and articulating the vision of the church in consultation with the Council of Bishops.
That means the vision statement does not require approval by General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly. In fact, with the adoption by the bishops and Connectional Table, the vision is already official.
United Methodist Communications will be joining the bishops, Connectional Table and other agencies in trying to get the word out and provide resources to support the vision.
Bishop Ande Emmanuel, who leads United Methodists in Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal, said the vision statement is timely especially as Nigerian United Methodists seek to move forward after a time of conflict.
excerpt from a story Heather Hahn, assistant news editor, UM News
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