The United Methodist Church has released the 2022 State of the Church Report. This offering centers around how the people of The United Methodist Church have dug deeper into our Wesleyan roots to reclaim, revive and renew our identity as United Methodists. The report is themed around being bound together, and is inspired by the excerpt “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” from Ecclesiastes 4:12 NRSV.
“This State of the Church Report is about how, over the past year, The United Methodist Church continued to tap into our long commitment to missions and the collaborative partnerships we have nurtured over decades, to use our influence and connections to provide services that impact lives on just about every continent,” said Judi Kenaston, interim chief connectional ministries officer of the Connectional Table. “Despite pandemic-driven global economic impacts, we have continued to support educational institutions, disaster relief and other ministries thanks to the dedication and generosity of United Methodists.”
With this in mind, the report responds to the invitation from Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the Council of Bishops, that encourages all United Methodists to be architects of a new future for The United Methodist Church. A message extension of the #BeUMC campaign, which celebrates the shared values shared by the people of The United Methodist Church. Celebrating the life-changing, diverse and global nature of the UMC, the report includes related articles and UM News’ “2022 The Year in Photos” slideshow that collectively illustrate how United Methodists are:
- Reclaiming our identity as United Methodists which calls us to faithfully interpret our historic values and priorities to guide us in the present and into our future.
- Reviving our passion for missions and ministries and paving the way for our United Methodist calling to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
- Renewing our vision of a future UMC that is more just, inclusive, connectional and engaged.
The 2022 State of the Church Report is the result of collaborative partners including the Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table and United Methodist Communications, in coordination with the general agencies and other voices across the connection, to effectively shape messaging to help generate conversation about what it means to be United Methodist.
View this report, as well as past reports, online at ResourceUMC.org/SOTC. Local churches and annual conferences are encouraged to post on their websites and there is an option to download the video for use in Sunday worship or annual conference sessions.
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About The United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church has more than 12 million members globally, with over 43,000 churches in 45+ countries on four continents. Our mission is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Learn more at UMC.org.