This weekend, we begin a new sermon series based on the new vision statement of The United Methodist Church with three major points of reference: love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Our first message, Love Boldly, is grounded in Matthew 22:34–40, where Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In May 2025, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table unveiled this new vision statement for our denomination:
“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 vision emerged from a four-year process of prayer, listening, discernment, and reflection involving United Methodists around the world. Drawing on our Wesleyan heritage and the West African concept of Sankofa—learning from the past to move forward—the Church sought to ask not simply what we see, but also what God desires, and to ask the question – “What is God’s dream for the world?”
Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President of the Council of Bishops and Resident Bishop of the Indiana Annual Conference, described this moment as a “Kairos moment,” a significant turning point in the life of the Church. The vision complements our enduring mission to “Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” and provides a clear framework for faithful discipleship in a changing world.
As United Methodists, we believe that God’s grace is continually perfecting us in love. This new vision invites us to live that calling more intentionally—to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously wherever God has placed us.
I hope you will join us in worship online or in person as we begin this important journey together.