Walk by Faith: Love, Serve, and Lead: What is OUR Vision? (Part VII)
Sermon Title: Walk By Faith – Love, Serve, And Lead: What is OUR Vision?
Good News Statement: Jesus invites his church to change lives
Summary: The Church has been called by Christ to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Preached: Sunday, May 31st, 2026 at Dogwood Prairie UMC & Seed Chapel UMC
Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.
Scripture (NRSVUE): Mark 2:1-12 Today’s scripture passage comes from the Gospel of Mark, specifically, his fifth recorded miracle of Jesus. In this miracle, Jesus heals the paralytic man. By loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously, Jesus demonstrates the fullness of the United Methodist Church’s vision statement to transform the world. Our scripture reading comes from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter Tow, and Verses One thru Twelve. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door, and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves, and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.” 12 And he stood up and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”
Introduction:
On May 1, 2025, The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church announced the unveiling of a new vision statement for the United Methodist Church. According to the article published on the United Methodist Bishops website, “This vision reflects the Church’s deep commitment to embodying God’s dream for the world.”[1] This vision statement complements the Church’s longstanding mission statement, inspired by Matthew 28:1-20: “The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” “This new vision is not simply a statement or a plan, it is a catalyst for transformation,” said Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President of the Council of Bishops. “It is a vision that will help the Church embrace the opportunities before us, to follow where God is leading us, and to more fully engage in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”[2]
The new vision statement is as follows: 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 encourages United Methodists to embody the following principles: We are called to love boldly[3] which invites us to passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life; to serve joyfully[4] by serving with a Christ-like heart, journeying alongside the most vulnerable, and offering care and compassion with joy; and to lead courageously[5] by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation. Simply put, the vision of the United Methodist Church is to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Did you know that the United Methodist denomination has a vision statement? Many of us are probably aware of the denomination’s mission statement—“to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”—but did you know that we now have a vision statement that outlines goals, desired impacts, and lays forth the inspiration to better and more fully live out, by faith, the message—the Good News—of Jesus Christ? If you weren’t aware, you are not alone. Thousands of people weren’t aware; but as of today, millions are beginning to live these words out in their churches, in their communities, and in their lives. So, today, we are challenged to do the same! We are called to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. What does this look like in your life?
Body:
In the early 1700s, vision testing involved trying on generic, pre-made spectacles or using magnifying stones. It has been recorded that glasses were invented in Italy between the mid-1200s and 1300s. Later, scientists like Tobias Mayer began mapping the visual limits of the human eye using dots and grids. By 1862, Dutch ophthalmologist (off-thal-mologist) Hermann Snellen invented the iconic Snellen Eye Chart, the one that has a list of letters that go from large print to small print, standardizing letters and symbols to accurately measure visual acuity from a set a distance. (Some of us think this simple chart is the bane of our existence!) However, prior to the Snellen Eye Chart, Hermann von Helmholtz changed optometry forever by inventing a device allowing doctors to look inside the eye and examine the retina and optic nerve.
Then in 1984, so just forty-two years ago, the International Council of Ophthalmology formalized the 20/20 standard of normal visual acuity, referencing centuries of psychophysics studies. Finally, by the late 1900s, diagnostics took a massive leap forward with the invention of the phoropter (for-oh-ropter) device—the clicky lens-flipping device in which the optometrist asks, “Better One, Better Two, or about the same.” In addition to the invention of this device, slit lampas and retinal imaging were also used. Lasers, also, became widely used for corrective vision by the late 1980s. Today, routine exams not only test your prescription but utilize advanced technology to screen for conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy in their earliest, most treatable stages.
In either 2003 or 2004, I remember going to the eye doctor and I was fascinated by the clicky-lens-flipping device: it literally changed my life. I didn’t do so well on the Snellen Eye Chart test, though. As a matter of fact, I left that day having scheduled another appointment to pick out my first pair of glasses. I was in second grade when I received my first pair of glasses. The frames were blue and the case was orange with a Flintstone’s sticker on it. I wasn’t allowed to wear my glasses outside or for gym class: they had to remain in the case until I got back from my activities. However, I quickly learned that I needed them for baseball; and being a catcher, those glasses went flying through the air with my helmet every time I took it off to find the ball. I think I spent more time looking for my glasses than I did the baseball!
Then, in fifth grade I got a new set of glasses that were sort of a tarnished gold color and the lenses this time were scratch free. Those glasses lasted until my eighth grade year. That year I got transition lenses: glasses and sunglasses in one! I didn’t have to worry about carrying sunglasses with me because I had them on all the time. In the words of ZZ Top, I wore my “sunglasses at night” sometimes. Then came high school, the years of making a name for yourself. In high school I ditched the glasses and got contacts. Let me tell you, for those of you who have had to learn to wear contacts, sometimes getting them in is not always fun, is it. I spent several hours at the eye doctor trying to get my contacts in. During the school year, I added an extra 30minutes to my morning routine to make sure I had enough time to get my contacts in: if they went in, it was going to be a good day; but if they didn’t go right in, it was not going to be a good day. I still wear contacts today, but not as frequently as I did in high school. Finally, I switched back to glasses in college. Today, I mostly wear my glasses unless I am working outside or doing something physical.
Every time I got a new pair of glasses or a new set of contacts, my prescription changed. Unfortunately, that is still true today: every time I have an eye exam, my eyes change, not for the better, and my prescription changes too. Can any of you relate? Every time I go to the eye doctor, the diagnosis is that my vision is changing, and then they give me suggestions on what to do. Church, the reason I mention all this is to help us think about our vision. How is our vision? Do we need to see an eye doctor? Do we need to have an exam? Are we only seeing the large print and unable to see the small print—maybe missing out on something? Is it time for a new prescription? It is time for new lenses or even new frames? For the past several weeks, we have examined the new vision statement of the United Methodist Church, which invites us to see the present but also helps us to want to see the future. Today, I want to bring this sermon series to a close by reminding you of this vision statement and to give you a challenge.
Movement One: Reviewing the United Methodist Church’s Vision Statement…
Many of us are probably aware of the denomination’s mission statement—“to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” But, did you know that we now have a vision statement that outlines goals, desired impacts, and lays forth the inspiration to better and more fully live out, by faith, the message—the Good News—of Jesus Christ? For those that are unaware of what a vision statement is, according to Aubrey Malphurs in her book Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders, a vision is defined as “a clear, challenging picture of the future of the ministry, as you believe that it can and must be.”[6] Essentially, a vision statement is clear, compelling, picturesque, and a future-driven plan of the organization. It lets the people know what the organization is striving to do. Additionally, a vision statement provides direction, motivation, and inspiration for a company and organization. It was time for a new vision in the United Methodist Church.
On May 1, 2025, The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church announced the unveiling of a new vision statement for the United Methodist Church. According to the article published on the United Methodist Bishops website, “This vision reflects the Church’s deep commitment to embodying God’s dream for the world.”[7] This vision statement complements the Church’s longstanding mission statement, inspired by Matthew 28:19-20 which states “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you….” “This new vision is not simply a statement or a plan, it is a catalyst for transformation,” said Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President of the Council of Bishops. “It is a vision that will help the Church embrace the opportunities before us, to follow where God is leading us, and to more fully engage in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”[8]
The new vision statement is as follows: 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 encourages United Methodists to embody the following principles: We are called to love boldly[9] which invites us to passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life; to serve joyfully[10] by serving with a Christ-like heart, journeying alongside the most vulnerable, and offering care and compassion with joy; and to lead courageously[11] by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation. Simply put, the vision of the United Methodist Church is to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
As a church, believe it or not, you have demonstrated this very mission statement for many years through many ministries and giving opportunities. You have loved boldly by showing up for people in need, by inviting people to church, by offering support, by giving to those in need, and by taking up special offerings for families and friends in the community. You have served joyfully by lending a hand to those who need help, by giving donations to the local food pantry, by sending get well cards, sympathy cards, and congratulation cards, by taking time to clean this church, by decorating this church for holidays, by noticing that the children of the church are just as important as those who give financially to the church, and you have served joyfully by taking note of individuals who can no longer keep their hands held high and feel as if the enemy is winning. And you have lead courageously by doing what you can to keep this church alive: by leading others to Christ and by being a committed follower of and to Jesus Christ.
Church, I am proud of the things you have done as a church: before I came here, while I have been here, and what you will do when I am no longer here. You have done so much: although not the biggest church in the area, I believe we have the biggest heart. So, today, I want you to hear this vision statement one more time so that you can reflect on the things we have done, on things we are doing, and on the things you want to see happen in the future. As you think about these things, let’s turn to our scripture passage for today.
Movement Two: The Healing of the Paralytic, The Vision of a New Beginning…
Our scripture passage is focused on Jesus healing a paralytic man. This specific miracle is found in Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26. There are subtle differences between each account, but the message and meaning is the same. Mark wrote: “When [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door, and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves, and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic—‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.’ And he stood up and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” (Mark 2:1-12).
According to the Gospel of Mark, this is Jesus’ fifth miracle performed. Up until this point, Jesus drove out an evil spirit from a man in Capernaum (1:21-27), healed Peter’s mother-in-law (1:29-31), healed many sick and oppressed people in the evening (1:32-34), and Jesus cleanses a man with leprosy (1:40-45). Like the man with leprosy, the paralytic man, although brought by others, met Jesus where he was. This gospel miracle is rich with curiosity, love, forgiveness, and grace. In taking a step back, this miracle, like so many others in the Gospels, demonstrates for us the power and importance to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously as well as contemplating our own vision as a church.
First, the paralyzed man’s friends displayed incredible teamwork and faith. Mark 2:3-4 shares, “Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.” When they—the friends or strangers of the paralytic man—could not get through the crowded door, they climbed to the roof, dug through it, and lowered their friend to Jesus. The four friends were determined to get this man to Jesus, no matter what it would take. These four friends fought a crowd to get their friend to Jesus. These four friends carried their friend on a mat and climbed to the top of a house to get their friend to Jesus. These four friends dug through, destroyed property, to create an access point to lower their friend to Jesus. These four friends presented their friend to Jesus, a complete stranger who was just beginning his ministry within a town controlled and ruled by Roman authorities. These four friends did what they had to do to heal their one friend.
At this point, I believe these four friends are demonstrating what it means to love boldly. To love boldly means to fight the crowds, to be willing to overcome obstacles, to create new access points, and to fully trust in Jesus—although you don’t know everything about him. To love boldly, is to find some way to care for those in your life. Have you ever carried someone before? Have you ever fought crowds to help others get safely to their destination? Have you taken risks knowing that what you are doing is not for yourself but for those you love? Church, who have we carried? Who are we making sure gets to Jesus? Who is looking down in the sand and only seeing one set of footprints because they are being cared for? To love boldly means to be willing to carry the mat and to show up for those who need to be loved like Jesus loves you.
Second, Jesus puts the paralytic man first. Mark 2:5 states, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’” Instead of instantly healing the man’s physical legs, Jesus first said, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” This shows that Jesus viewed spiritual healing (forgiveness of sins) as the greatest and most urgent human need. Jesus was in the middle of speaking to the gathered crowd, probably answering questions about prayer (Matthew 6:5-8), and he forgave the man’s sins. Jesus could have been teaching the crowd about the parable of weeds (Matthew 13:24-43), or about the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), or about the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), or about the parable of the watchful servants (Luke 13:1-5), but yet he stopped to forgive the man’s sins. Jesus could have been reminding the people that they are a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14), but yet he stopped to forgive the man’s sins.
Do you understand what is happening at this point? Jesus knows his time is limited. Jesus knows that there are Roman soldiers listening outside. Jesus knows that Pharisees are gathered as close as possible to hear what they call blasphemy. Jesus knows these people need to hear what he has to say so that they can change their life. But, yet, he stops what he is doing to forgive the sins of the paralytic man who was just lowered down to him through a hole in the roof. Jesus didn’t have to stop, but he did. He stopped because he came to serve and not be served. He came to help those in need. He came to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He came to fulfill the words of Isaiah 61:1-2, “…to proclaim good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and to release from the darkness for the prisoners…and to comfort all who mourn…” He came to recover sight for the blind and to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18). He came to give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, shelter to the homeless, to visit the stranger, and to look after the sick (Matthew 25:35-36). Jesus came to take hold of your hand (Isaiah 42:6). Jesus came to forgive our sins. Jesus came to serve everyone. Jesus stopped doing what he was doing to forgive and serve the paralytic man. Jesus stops what he is doing to help us all the time, but how often do we stop what we are doing to listen to Jesus?
To serve joyfully is to mimic what Jesus did: he served others by putting them first so that they aren’t conquered by the enemy—pain, grief, doubt, sin, loneliness, and darkness. Church is there anyone in which we could be serving but haven’t? Is there anything we can be doing more of to serve more joyfully? Are we willing to stop what we are doing to see the person on the mat being lowered in our presence? Or like Moses, are we willing to stop what we are doing to hold up the hands of someone who is tired and worn out?
Third, Jesus led courageously. Mark 2:6-9 states, “Now some of the scribes were sitting there questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves, and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’?’” The scribes and religious leaders were present and silently accused Jesus of blasphemy, knowing that only God can forgive sins. They were entirely correct about the premise, which is exactly why Jesus used the moment to prove his divinity. Jesus read their minds and challenged their skepticism. He asked which is easier: to say your sins are forgiven, or to tell the man to stand up and walk. To prove he possessed both the physical power to heal and the divine authority to forgive, Jesus commanded the man to walk.
At this moment, Jesus could have stopped himself from performing a miracle; and in doing so, would have put less of a target on his back. However, Jesus follows through on fulfilling the needs of the paralytic man knowing quite well what is to follow. Jesus took a risk or as what we would call a “leap of faith.” Before telling the man to get up and walk, he calls out the Pharisees who are present and initially says, “I’m going to prove you wrong.” Keep in mind, the Pharisees are the top religious Jewish leaders at this time. People came to them for advice, for healings, and for support. The people also gave offerings to them and gave financially to the temple and made sacrifices in their presence. And here is Jesus, knowing what they are questioning in their hearts, calls them out not just by word of mouth but by what he does. Jesus, with strength and courage, lead courageously in a time of need to establish his authority on earth.
Church, it’s this moment in our scripture passage that we learn what it means to lead courageously. To lead courageously means to be strong and courageous, to not fear, to not be discouraged or dismayed, and as Joshua notes, to know that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). To lead courageously recognizes that at times things won’t be easy, that people will push back against you. To lead courageously establishes a sense of willingness to take leaps of faith even if the outcome is unclear. To lead courageously suggests that we must not just say what we want to do but that we put action to what we need to do. To lead courageously calls us to remember that the Lord our God is with us wherever we go. How are we leading courageously has a church? How are you leading courageously as a disciple? Is your willingness to lead encouraging you to continue to follow Jesus?
Lastly, because of Jesus’ vision to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously, the paralytic man is healed. Jesus says in Mark 2:10-12, “’But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic—‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat, and go to your home.’ And he stood up and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” The man instantly stood up, picked up his mat, and walked out in full view of the amazed crowd, for the crowd had never seen anything like this. Not only was the paralytic man able to walk and his sins forgiven, but he embodied what the Greek word metanoia defines as “a transformative change of heart and mind.”[12] This man, who Jesus calls ‘child’, was transformed. He could walk! He didn’t feel useless! He didn’t feel ignored! He didn’t feel alone! He stood up, took his mat, and walked home to share what had just happened with all those around him!
Biblically, this moment was when the man’s Red Sea was divided, when the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, when Moses said “Let my people go,” when his storms were calmed, when his boat was filled with hundreds of fish, when there were baskets of leftovers, and when God breathed life into him. This man was transformed! This man’s heart was changed!
Church, just think about what happens when we love boldly, when we serve joyfully, and when we lead courageously: people are transformed. You don’t have to be the perfect disciple to do these things. You don’t have to have everything in order to do these things. Heck, you don’t even have to know exactly what you are doing. All Jesus is asking is that you do what you can to transform someone’s life and lead them to Christ as you walk by faith. Church, are we loving boldly? Are we serving joyfully? Are we leading courageously? Are we in the business of transforming and making disciples of Jesus Christ?
In thinking about the story of the paralytic man, I believe in order to truly see the transformation found within this story, we have to think about this question, “What is our vision as a church?” How do we see ourselves today? And how do we see ourselves in the future? The paralytic man saw himself as a paralytic man, but Jesus saw him as a walking messenger of the good news. How do we see ourselves?
Movement Three: Legacies that Keep Going…
When it comes to helping others see themselves as Jesus sees them, it’s important for you to know about a legislative item that will be voted on at this year’s Annual Conference. For those that don’t know what Annual Conference is let me explain. Annual Conference consists of clergy, local pastors, and laity representatives from the churches within the Illinois Great Rivers Conference that convey annually to vote on legislative items related to the church: such as pension plans, salaries, health insurance allowances, summer camps, and other items brought forth to the voting body. Essentially, what is brought forth is to help grow and establish the church of today for tomorrow.
An item every year that is brought forth is church closures. Every year, churches close because of a number of reasons: lack of interest, lack of financial giving, lack of attendance, lack of structural support, etc. and unfortunately, many of the churches that do close are located in rural areas. This year 68 churches are closing: 5 from the North District, 7 from the Central District, 7 from the West District, 25 from the South District, and 24 from the East District—which is the district we are in. Of the churches closing, the oldest serving church served for 225 years and the youngest serving church served for 118 years.[13] This is the most church closures at one time that the Conference has seen. Currently, there are 800 churches within the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
Each of the churches closing had a profound ministry that impacted hundreds of people. Memories were made in those churches. Friendships were established. Stories were told and laughter was heard. Hugs were shared and smiles were genuine. And the love and mission of Jesus Christ brought people together. The churches closing symbolize tradition, faith, and longing for hope. Deep down, these churches lived out the new vision statement before it was even a vision statement because they simply did what Jesus would do. But, at some point their vision changed: they saw what was, what is, and what was going to happen. They saw the inevitable: the day the doors would be closed. As much as I don’t like to see churches close, they do; however, it’s the doors of a physical building that close, not the doors of the hearts that attended that church.
I share this with you—not to scare you—but to make you think about or at least consider the vision of our church. Our church has a history: it’s faced challenges, it has worried about the future, and it has impacted thousands of people, accomplished wonderful things, completed tasks, extended support to individuals, families, and organizations, has invested in groups and ministries that no longer exist, and has sent children to church camp. But our church also has a present: still facing challenges, considering ideas, people still walking through our doors, laughter and smiles and conversations heard, and individuals seeking to keep the church alive. Although we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, our church can have a future if you want it to; and if you want it to, then what does the future look like? What will this church be doing in five years? What sort of vision will this church put together to push it forward into the future so that it doesn’t become a legislative item at Annual Conference?
Church, if you want to have a vision that extends beyond today, then what do you need to do? How can we continue to love boldly in new ways? How can we serve joyfully those inside and outside these walls? How can we continue to lead courageously for those that eat our snacks, crawl on the floor, run around the sanctuary, swing on the swings, sit on the benches, and make us all laugh by what they say? How can we continue to transform peoples’ lives and help them follow Jesus?
Now I will be with you for another year…which means I am going to help us find our vision. The Council of Bishops has given us a vision to follow; it’s up to us to fulfill that vision as we strive to keep our doors open. What is our vision? What do you want to see the church, your church, do and become so that these pews still have people sitting in them tomorrow?
Conclusion:
As much as I don’t like hearing the phrase “Your eye prescription has changed,” I understand that with help my vision can still be 20/20. Sometimes in life, we need a new eye prescription: we need help correcting what is causing us issues, we need a diagnosis to help us see more clearly, and we need a change. Church, do we need a new prescription? Is it time to update our lenses to something cleaner, clearer, and crisper? Is it time to get new frames and try a new style? Is it time to seek a new vision that helps us see not just the present—the large print—but also the future—the small print? Will this new vision allow us to get up and walk for Jesus Christ?
For the last time, for a while, here is the new vision and vision statement of the United Methodist Church: 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. What do we need to do to fulfill this vision in our church today so that we continue to be a church with a big heart and who is willing to get up and walk by faith for Jesus? Let It Be So…
Closing Prayer:
Let us Pray… Dear Jesus, I pray that you open our eyes to see what you need us to see, open our ears to help us hear what you need us to hear, and open our hearts to feel what you need us to feel. As you work within us, O Lord, encourage us to seek a vision of our church that focuses on the present but seeks to create a future as we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. In your name we pray. Amen.
Benediction:
Church, our challenge is to establish a vision that keeps our church alive today but also motivates us to be here tomorrow. May we seek to develop a vision that transforms our community, our church, and our lives. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously in all that you do. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.
[1] Ministries, The United Methodist Church Unveils New Guiding Vision Statement, Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, May 1, 2025: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/umc-unveils-new-vision-statement-19057587 Accessed April 12, 2026.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35.
[4] Inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10
[5] Inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10
[6] Aubrey Malphurs, Advanced Strategic Planning: A 21st-Century Model for Church and Ministry Leaders, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Publishing Group, 2013, pg. 134-137.
[7] Ministries, The United Methodist Church Unveils New Guiding Vision Statement, Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, May 1, 2025: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/umc-unveils-new-vision-statement-19057587 Accessed April 12, 2026.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35.
[10] Inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10
[11] Inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10
[12] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metanoia
[13] Church historians indicate that in 1857 the first group of worshippers of Dogwood Methodist Church gathered at the Dogwood School building. Then in 2002, so coming up on 25 years, Dogwood United Methodist Church became Dogwood Prairie United Methodist Church. – Almost 170 years of ministry.
Church historians indicate that in 1883, the worshippers of Seed Chapel gathered in a log cabin that went by the name of Mt. Comfort. The current building was dedicated on June 16, 1935. – Almost 143 years of ministry.