Over the last twelve months, the Extended Cabinet, Directors, and Leadership Table of the Arkansas Conference have worked with Bishop Laura Merrill to develop a new mission statement to guide the Arkansas Conference into a hope-filled, grace-filled, joy-filled future. After much prayer and discernment, today we are ready to share with you the results of that work:
Mission Statement for the Arkansas Conference of the UMC:
Working together to build vital faith communities by following Jesus, loving people, and sharing grace.
#FollowingLovingSharing
Vital faith communities are marked by:
- Welcoming, Spirit-filled worship
- Lay leadership identified and equipped for ministry in the church and the world
- Disciples engaged in relationships and service with diverse neighbors
- Small group and intergenerational ministries
- Relevant ministries with children, youth, and young adults
- Connectional work in partnership with others
- Intentional work for healing and reconciliation
This week, we are launching the third piece of the new ARUMC mission statement at the same time that the Council of Bishops shared their new vision statement for the United Methodist Church. The work that has gone into the new United Methodist vision results from more than a year’s worth of conversation, prayer, and biblical study from United Methodists on multiple continents. The United Methodist Church’s vision and the Arkansas Conference’s new mission both reflect the Church’s deep commitment to embodying God’s dream for the world.
What a joy it is to share a vision with our United Methodist family that spans the globe!
The scripture resources that accentuate “Sharing Grace” are as follows:
Isaiah 58:6-8 – Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
2 Cor. 9:8 – And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
Romans 1:11-12 – For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened—or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Philemon 4-7 – I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
And we have more videos from Arkansas United Methodists about what “Sharing Grace” means to them.
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How Arkansas United Methodist Churches are #FollowingLovingSharing
This past Sunday was special as Lakewood UMC in North Little Rock celebrated its high school seniors. “We are so proud of our graduates and can’t wait to see how they bring light to the world! #expandingthelight #followinglovingsharing”
St. James UMC in Fayetteville is using the hashtag to invite the community to their events and encourage congregants to collect canned goods for its “Feed My Sheep” program. The donated items will be given to the Salvation Army.