Your privacy is our policy. See our new Privacy Policy.


The Courage to Love

At a Sept. 21 memorial service marking the 50th anniversary of martial law in the Philippines, Bishop Ciriaco Francisco, the resident bishop of the Manila Area, holds a sign supporting the Rev. Glofie Baluntong, a United Methodist pastor who has been charged with attempted murder in a case she and her supporters believe was invented to intimidate her. Photo © Paul Jeffrey, Life on Earth Pictures.

From Ukraine to the Philippines, from Germany to Guatemala, communities worldwide are discovering that the antidote to authoritarianism isn't found in political strategies alone—it's found in the revolutionary practice of beloved community. In this prophetic and hope-filled resource, the United Methodist Council of Bishops draws on global stories of courage and transformation to show how ordinary people can build extraordinary communities grounded in love rather than fear.

The Courage to Love doesn't just diagnose the problems facing our fractured world—it provides a roadmap for healing. Through powerful stories of resistance and welcome, theological wisdom rooted in Scripture and tradition, and practical strategies tested in diverse contexts, this book demonstrates that beloved community isn't just a distant dream but an achievable reality.

Whether you're a pastor seeking guidance for faithful leadership, a lay leader wondering how to engage difficult conversations, or simply someone who believes that love can overcome hatred, this book offers both inspiration and instruction for the urgent work of our time.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved