In the rapidly changing world of the 21st century, the United Methodist Church (UMC) is increasingly confronted with the need to adapt its practices of mission and evangelism. Amid secularization, religious pluralism, and shifting cultural values, the UMC faces both challenges and opportunities in fulfilling its Great Commission mandate (Matthew 28:19-20). The church is called to a renewed focus on mission and evangelism to remain relevant, fulfill its purpose, and engage the world with transformative Christian love. This call to action requires a revitalized commitment to spreading the Gospel, addressing the needs of the marginalized, and creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
1. The Theological Imperative for Mission and Evangelism
The foundation for mission and evangelism in the United Methodist Church is deeply rooted in its theological heritage. United Methodist theology, following the Wesleyan tradition, emphasizes God’s universal grace and the need for the church to participate in God’s mission to the world. John Wesley’s theology of prevenient grace asserts that God’s grace is at work in all people, regardless of their awareness of it, and it is the responsibility of the church to help people recognize and respond to this grace. Wesley’s belief that “the world is my parish” underscores the UMC’s global and outward-looking mission, which is grounded in the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). This scriptural mandate calls the church to actively reach out beyond its walls and engage the world in both word and deed.
The UMC’s Book of Discipline reflects this theological imperative, stating that “the mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” This mission is realized through both evangelism and social action, echoing Wesley’s belief that personal salvation and social holiness are inseparable. The UMC is therefore called to both proclaim the Gospel and work for justice, peace, and mercy. Evangelism is the act of sharing the good news of Christ’s salvation, while mission encompasses the broader work of addressing physical, social, and spiritual needs.
2. The Contemporary Context: Challenges and Opportunities
The call to mission and evangelism in today’s context comes with both significant challenges and opportunities. Secularization, particularly in Western societies, has led to declining church attendance and a growing disinterest in institutional religion. A 2018 Pew Research Center report found that the percentage of adults in the U.S. who identify as Christian dropped from 78% in 2007 to 65% in 2019. As a result, the UMC, like many other Christian denominations, is experiencing declining membership and aging congregations in many regions. Additionally, the rise of religious pluralism and the increasing presence of non-Christian faiths in global contexts further challenge the traditional evangelistic approaches that assume a predominantly Christian audience.
However, these challenges also present new opportunities for creative and contextualized approaches to mission and evangelism. As societies become more diverse, the UMC is called to engage people of different cultural and religious backgrounds with humility, respect, and genuine dialogue. Moreover, in the face of widespread social and economic inequality, the church is uniquely positioned to live out its Wesleyan heritage of service to the poor and marginalized. The global reach of the UMC, with its connectional system, enables it to address pressing issues such as poverty, healthcare, education, and environmental justice through its mission initiatives.
The pandemic of 2020 further highlighted the need for adaptive mission strategies. With church buildings closed and in-person gatherings restricted, the UMC had to innovate and embrace digital platforms for worship and outreach. This shift has shown that mission and evangelism can transcend traditional boundaries, reaching people in new ways through online ministries, virtual mission trips, and digital evangelism.
3. A Call to Revitalize Mission and Evangelism
The United Methodist Church is now being called to revitalize its efforts in mission and evangelism, responding to the challenges and opportunities of the present age. This revitalization must begin with a renewed commitment to spiritual vitality and discipleship within the church. The UMC’s Call to Action initiative, introduced in 2010, emphasized the importance of fostering “vital congregations” that are focused on worship, spiritual formation, and making new disciples. Vital congregations, the initiative argues, are the foundation for effective mission and evangelism, as they are communities where faith is nurtured, leaders are developed, and outreach is prioritized.
The UMC must also recommit to contextual evangelism—sharing the Gospel in ways that resonate with the specific needs, cultures, and experiences of different communities. This may involve training pastors and laypeople in culturally competent evangelism, developing new church plants in underserved areas, and encouraging churches to engage with their local contexts through listening, relationship-building, and service. Contextual evangelism also means addressing the spiritual and practical needs of people holistically. As John Wesley famously stated, “The Gospel of Christ knows of no religion but social; no holiness but social holiness.” Mission and evangelism should be interwoven, addressing both the spiritual and material needs of people.
In addition, the UMC must leverage its global connectional system for greater missional collaboration and impact. The denomination’s worldwide presence provides an opportunity for cross-cultural mission partnerships, in which churches in different regions can learn from and support one another. Global mission initiatives such as the UMC’s Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) continue to play a crucial role in disaster relief, development, and advocacy. Yet, there is a growing need for these efforts to be integrated with the church’s evangelistic mission, ensuring that social justice and Gospel proclamation go hand-in-hand.
4. The Future of Mission and Evangelism in the UMC
The future of the United Methodist Church depends on its ability to engage effectively in mission and evangelism in a changing world. This call to action invites the church to rethink how it approaches its mission, how it trains and equips its members for evangelistic work, and how it engages with communities both locally and globally. The church must reclaim its Wesleyan heritage of passionate evangelism, social justice, and global mission, all grounded in a deep love for God and neighbor.
The General Board of Global Ministries, the mission agency of the UMC, has outlined several strategic priorities for the future of mission and evangelism, including fostering “mission-minded local congregations” and developing “missionary discipleship.” The board emphasizes that mission is not just the work of specialized agencies or individuals but is the responsibility of every local congregation and member. In the spirit of Wesley’s call to personal and social holiness, United Methodists are called to be both evangelists and missionaries, proclaiming the Gospel through their words and actions.
Conclusion
Mission and evangelism remain central to the identity and purpose of the United Methodist Church. In an increasingly secular, pluralistic, and digital world, the UMC is called to respond with creativity, compassion, and a renewed focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. By embracing its theological heritage, addressing the challenges of the contemporary context, and recommitting to vital and contextualized evangelism, the UMC can continue to fulfill its mission and make a lasting impact in the world.
Notes
- Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV).
- The United Methodist Church, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016 (Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2016), ¶120.
- Kenneth J. Collins and Jason E. Vickers, eds., The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013), 45.
- Pew Research Center, “In U.S., Decline of Christianity Continues at Rapid Pace,” Pew Research Center, October 17, 2019, https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/.
- The United Methodist Church, Call to Action Report, (Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House, 2010), 7.
- Jason E. Vickers, Minding the Good Ground: A Theology for Church Renewal (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2011), 92.
- The General Board of Global Ministries, “Strategic Plan 2019–2024,” United Methodist Global Ministries, accessed October 5, 2024, https://www.umcmission.org/plans/
