UMC’s new vision

     The United Methodist Church has a new vision – or at least a new vision statement.

     It’s intended to complement our existing mission statement.

     That statement was adopted nearly 30 years ago, 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.

     Here’s our new vision statement:

     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 vision is about seeing — what we see ourselves doing as a denomination,” says Bishop Dee J. Williamston, who was co-chair of group that developed the new statement. She hails from the Great Plains Conference and leads the Louisiana Conference.

     Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Area Bishop Christian Alsted explains the difference between mission and vision statements: “The mission is what we are about, what right now is our task. As a church, the vision is where we go. So the vision, from my perspective, would paint the picture of the future in a way that is compelling and engaging, that stirs passion and involvement.”

     In short, mission is what we do, vision is where we hope to go.

     The new vision statement was announced May 1, one year after General Conference set the denomination on a new path after years of infighting.

     It was adopted unanimously by the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table, a leadership body of lay and clergy. The Book of Discipline gives those two groups responsibility for discerning and articulating the vision of the church, so action by General Conference is not needed.

     The question, of course, is whether such statements actually help direct the life of the church or are forgotten after being relegated to some file drawer.

     I’ve always appreciated the mission statement. I like the “boldly, joyfully, and courageously” part of the vision statement, but I think overall it’s too wordy to be memorable.

     How about:

     United Methodist disciples of Jesus Christ love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously wherever the Holy Spirit leads them.

     Missed the moment, I guess. Wasn’t in the room at the right time.