The New UMC Guiding Vision Statement: Resources for Your Church
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Rev. Amanda Banda
Director of Communications, Rio Texas Conference
In May 2025, the Council of Bishops unveiled a new guiding vision statement for The United Methodist Church — a vision that strengthens our mission, clarifies our identity, and calls us into a hope-filled future. This page gathers official resources, videos, guides, and tools to help your church introduce and live into this vision in your local context.
Whether you’re a pastor, church staff member, or lay leader, we invite you to explore, learn, and share these materials as we continue to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously across the Rio Texas Conference.
The UMC Vision & Mission Statements
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.”
Mission Statement
“The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Local Church Reference Guide
This guide provides the full theology, scriptures, and strategic steps for aligning your ministry with the new vision.
[Download the Local Church Reference Guide]
Start Here: Introducing the Vision to Your Congregation
Where Do I Start? (Pastoral How-To)
This ResourceUMC article walks through three simple steps for introducing the Vision:
PRAY — reflect on the scriptures & vision
TEACH — preach, lead studies, introduce the language
ALIGN — help your church reflect on where they already love, serve, and lead
[Read the full article from ResourceUMC]
Leadership Questions for Church Councils / Retreats
Use the strategic alignment questions from pages 2–4 of the Local Church Reference Guide to help your leaders discern where to celebrate and where to grow.
Vision Branding & Communication Tools
UMCom’s Vision Branding Toolkit
Includes:
Official color palette & fonts
Logos & graphics
“Love Boldly. Serve Joyfully. Lead Courageously.” artwork
Downloadable print + digital elements
Usage guidelines for sermon slides, banners, and more
[Download Creative Guidelines]
[Download Logos & Graphics]
Order Promotional Products
Build awareness in your congregation with Vision-themed magnets, stickers, banners, shirts, and more.
Canva Templates for Social Media
UMCom has created easy-to-edit Canva templates for:
Vision graphics (Love Boldly / Serve Joyfully / Lead Courageously)
Quote & scripture posts
Event templates
Vertical story/reel templates
[Access the UMC Vision Social Media Canva Templates*]
*Click the visual examples in the resource pack to open each Canva file.
Video Resources
Use these official videos in worship, meetings, small groups, or social media:
Bishops’ Message (4 minutes) — Vision Overview
Social Media Explainer Video (1 min) — horizontal & vertical formats available
Resources for Preaching, Teaching & Discipleship
Explore sermons, devotionals, and commentaries from across the UMC that help unpack “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously.”
Highlighted resourceds include:
General Commission on Archives and History: A New (old?) Vision for the UMC
Love Boldly: Discipleship That Transforms
Serve Joyfully: Daily Practice of Hopeful Discipleship
Lead Courageously: Discipleship That Transforms
UMC Vision Sermons & Devotions: Church of the Resurrection
Tools for Local Churches
Quick Ways to Introduce the Vision
Add the Vision Statement to your worship slides
Include it in your newsletter or bulletin footer
Use the social media templates weekly
Preach a Vision-focused sermon or series
Discuss alignment questions at leadership retreats
Invite youth to create #LoveServeLeadUMC content
Share Your Story
If your church is living the Vision in a meaningful way, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 communications@riotx.org
Hashtags & Social Media
Choose authentic photos and short, meaningful quotes to help your congregation engage.
Use these hashtags to join the wider UMC conversation:
#LoveServeLeadUMC (official)
#LoveBoldly
#ServeJoyfully
#LeadCourageously
#BeUMC
#RioTexasUMC
Closing Blessing
As we step into this new season together, may we continue to embody the Spirit-filled calling to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. We are grateful for the faithful ministry happening every day across Rio Texas — and we pray these resources support you in living the UMC Vision in your local context.
