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Columbia Falls UMC Embraces New Vision Statement for Community Outreach

On Trinity Sunday last weekend, we reflected on a God whose very nature is relational, a divine Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer who gives its love and power away to bring hope and salvation to others. We looked at the new Vision Statement from the UMC, an effort to renew our energy and contextualize our mission in a time of cynicism and change. Here’s the 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.” Our calling as United Methodists is not to consume resources or hide out in our own comfort zones. Instead, our connectional vision reminds us exactly how to live out the Great Commission empowered by a God who exists as a relationship: By choosing to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. Love boldly means we actively include people from every age, walk of life, and background, loving them simply because Jesus loves us. (Matthew 22) Serve joyfully calls us to journey directly alongside the most vulnerable, finding our strength in the joy of the Lord as we care for our neighbors. (Psalm 100, Nehemiah 8) Lead courageously invites us to step up, follow the example of Christ, and actively resist systems of injustice and oppression while caring deeply for both God’s people and God’s creation. (Joshua 1: 9, Ephesians 6:10) Obeying Jesus is not about trying to save an institution; it is about connecting our community to a life-giving, transforming love. Looking at the three principles of our shared vision—loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously—which one is the Holy Spirit nudging you to prioritize in your workplace, school, or neighborhood this week?