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The Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table unveiled the new vision statement on May 1, 2025. 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.  <!--split-->

  • 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.”

(Reference: Bishops unveil vision for United Methodist Church by Heather Hahn, May 1, 2025 https://www.umnews.org)