High Street’s New Vision Statement
Last month, I introduced the new Vision Statement for High Street UMC, adopted by the Church Council at its October meeting: “High Street United Methodist Church nurtures disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in our local communities and in worldwide connections.” This is a slight adaptation of the new Vision Statement for the United Methodist Church as a whole. Our Mission Statement remains the same as that of the UMC (and every UM church): “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Previously, High Street’s Vision Statement was: “Creating Space for the Future; Creating Space for Spiritual Formation; Creating Space for Others to be Spiritually Formed.” This was lovely in concept, but not so great in practice. First, no one here at High Street could remember it. Second, it didn’t serve the purpose of a Vision Statement.
The Mission and Vision Statements for High Street (and for The United Methodist Church overall, and for any not-for-profit or other large organization) are to serve as guiding statements for the missions and ministries of the groups for which they are designed. They work in conjunction with each other and unite us in shared ministry.
The Mission of the denomination is our driving purpose, our why: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” This has been set by the General Conference.
Our vision reflects both who we already are and God’s dream for us. Beginning in 2021, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table journeyed together in prayerful collaboration, seeking God’s wisdom to discern a hope-filled vision for an unfolding era in The United Methodist Church. “Sankofa” – a West African concept of remembering where we’ve come from in order to move forward – guided the work.
The new Vision was unveiled in 2025. The Vision tells us where we’re going and how we’ll continue to live into and accomplish our mission: “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 was set by the Council of Bishops, working with the Connectional Table. Each of the three parts of the Vision Statement are grounded in scripture.
Our Church Council considered our own ministries and missions, along with our previous Vision Statement, and prayerfully discerned the need to adopt not only a new Vision Statement, but one aligned with the UMC’s new Vision Statement. We will be considering and evaluating all our missions and ministries, and everything we do and undertake, to make certain they are in alignment with our Mission and Vision statements.
During Epiphanytide 2026, a time when the church focuses on the Light of Christ that guides us in our lives, we’ll explore our new Vision Statement through a sermon series titled “Vision Quest.” That will lead us faithfully into Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Eastertide.