• Missions > visit the VIM section for more information
Missions is the ministry whereby we help others – near and far – in need of help. That help may be in spiritual and/or physical terms. The Great Commission itself is a call to mission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you ” (Matthew 28:19-20).
The missions committee seeks to find ways for the church to be in mission locally. The first step is to ascertain the missional needs of your congregation and community. Examples of such local outreaches include helping the homeless, repairing homes of the elderly, providing meals, and aiding in times of disaster.
In addition, the local church can plug into larger efforts in the conference, the country, and the world. Volunteers in Mission coordinates numerous mission opportunities throughout the world. |
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Mission education should be a part of every congregation, and prayers and support for missionaries are always needed.
• Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns
This work area aAdvocates for and works toward Christian unity in every aspect of the life of The United Methodist Church. It works to enable ecumenical and interreligious understanding and experience among all United Methodists.
• Church and Society
The church is not to be considered an island, separated from the secular world. Christians have a responsibility to be good citizens in the world around them. There are four areas of social areas in which you can work.
1. Social service – you can help provide immediate needs for goods and services, such as a food pantry or offering meals 2. Social witness – as individuals and as a church, we can make a statement that we will support and help social causes; this can be done with boycotts, prayer vigils, fasting, demonstrations, etc.
3. Social action – as you take action to influence the decision-making process, you engage in social action to seek justice 4. Social education – you can help educate your church and community about the need for social service, witness, and action to help foster those ministries
Some specific items of social need may be: hunger, abuse, crime, unemployment, and disenfranchisement. Your ministry may reach out to those affected by that social problem.
More information on United Methodist social principles can be found in the Discipline and in The Book of Resolutions.
• Religion and Race
This work area works to ensure full and equal participation of the racial and ethnic membership in The United Methodist Church. |
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• Status and Role of Women
Promotes the participation of women in all areas of the church. |
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