Notes from “Future Vision/Strategy” Meeting with Bishop Saenz

Notes from “Future Vision/Strategy” Meeting with Bishop Saenz (9/16/23)

by Cheryl Servais, Lay Leader

This meeting featured Bishop Saenz of the North Texas and Central Conferences. His presentation focused on two issues: The ability of the United Methodist Church to meet the needs of our changing World and the unification of two and possibly three conferences.

Meeting the needs of our changing World

The World is changing, but what is constant is Jesus’ love. So where do we Methodists go? How do we get there? What are our Visions and Priorities? The future is not based on where we’ve been but on where we need to go. Let’s aim for 2050. Let’s start with where we want to be in 2050 and work back from there to see how to get there. What will the World be like in 2050? What are the faith essentials necessary for the next generation? We can use our Methodist essentials of Scripture, Reason, Tradition, and Experience to discern the Actions to be taken.

Our Vision: We are followers of Jesus seeking the loving, just, and free World God imagines for all people. Seeking is the key. We seek a World free from poverty, hunger, and violence, a world of unified people inclusive of all.

Our Mission: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the World.  Seek, and you will find the people of the United Methodist Church.

Our Actions:

  1. Multiply ourselves. Mentor others. By 2028, double the number of Jesus’ followers.

  2. Champion children and youth. Help them with issues; help them feel safe, loved, and valued.

  3. Maximize care and healing inside and outside the church. For example, have a “Blue Christmas” service dedicated to those who are lonely and depressed during the holiday time. Do spiritual therapy. Hold forums on mental health, drug addiction, etc.

  4. Pursue and embrace diversity so that our churches reflect our community. By 2028, 30% of our congregations should be people of color (Asians, Hispanics, blacks, etc.). The Asian community is growing fast, especially in Carrollton and Coppell.

  5. Tell our story. We must overcome the rumors and untruths about the United Methodist Church. We will start a media campaign to testify to Jesus’ love.

We will change how we measure success: Our community reputation, diversity, and outreach to youth.

Conference Unification

Bishop Saenz also addressed the ongoing unification process, which will unify the North Texas Conference, Central Texas Conference, and the Northwest Texas Conference. The target date for unification is January 2025.