A new Vision for The United Methodist Church was unveiled in the spring of 2025. Watch this video to learn about the four-year discernment journey that led to the articulation of the Vision, what the Vision means for the denomination, and how the Vision will guide United Methodists as we continue to live into our mission.
Speaking in the video are:
- Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President, Council of Bishops, Indiana Episcopal Area
- Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez, Susquehanna/Upper New York Episcopal Area
- Bishop Mande Muyombo, Chair, United Methodist Connectional Table, North Katanga Episcopal Area
- Bishop Delores J. Williamston, Louisiana Episcopal Area
- Judi Kenaston, Chief Connectional Ministries Officer, United Methodist Connectional Table
Transcript
United Methodists are God’s people, shaped by a profound Wesleyan heritage, and we are stepping in faith into a new season of ministry.
Since 2021, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table have journeyed together in prayerful collaboration, seeking God’s wisdom and discerning a hope-filled vision for this unfolding era in The United Methodist Church.
Drawing inspiration from Sankofa—a West African word and image that encourages us to remember and learn from our past – the Council and the Connectional Table realized that moving forward required us to honor and carry the wisdom of where we’ve been.
As we discerned the new thing God is doing in this unfolding season,
We listened.
We revisited our missional commitments.
We considered recent decisions made by the General Conference.
And we gathered insights and hopes from United Methodists around the world.
The Scriptures reveal God’s dream for creation: A world where every person encounters the transformative grace of Jesus Christ, where communities flourish, and where all creation is made whole.
Today, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table are proud to unveil a new vision for The United Methodist Church—a vision that reflects our deep commitment to embodying God’s dream for the world.
“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.”
Let’s briefly explore what this vision means in action:
Love Boldly: We passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender, and walk of life.
Serve Joyfully: With the heart of Christ, we journey alongside the most vulnerable, offering care and compassion with joy.
Lead Courageously: And, following Jesus’ example, we resist and dismantle all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice, and reconciliation.
In this new season, God is calling United Methodists to embody this vision as we form and grow disciples, develop Christ-like leaders, as we stand in solidarity with the poor and the most vulnerable, and seek health and wholeness for all people and creation.
This renewed vision is more than words—it is an invitation to embrace joy and hope as we live God’s mission. It also provides us with a clear, Christ-centered framework for missional unity and collaboration across our worldwide connection.
In the months ahead, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table will work with our General Agencies to create resources that inspire and equip disciples, leaders, and congregations to live into this vision.
Together, we will discern how each of us can participate in the new thing God is doing.
Now, more than ever, the world needs to experience God’s boundless love.
As the people of The United Methodist Church, we embrace God’s call to be and form disciples of Jesus Christ, who empowered by the Holy Spirit: love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously to transform lives, communities, and the world.
Learn more about this vision at ResourceUMC.org/vision.
This page was published on April 28, 2025. The contact is Joe Iovino.