The vision of The United Methodist Church is clear and aspirational: To form disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.
The General Board of Church and Society brings this vision to life by educating, advocating, and connecting with United Methodists upholding the United Methodist Social Principles in living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace worldwide.
The work of Church and Society, which is mandated by the United Methodist Church, has four main responsibilities:
1. Seek the implementation of the Social Principles and other policy statements of the General Conference on Christian social justice concerns
2. Work for a world where God’s peace and justice reign
3. Analyze long-range social trends and their underlying ethical values
4. Speak and provide holy witness of United Methodist convictions, interpretations, andconcerns to the church and to the world
Love boldly
Church and Society recognizes that bold love is following the Gospel of Jesus Christ with an active faith that takes a stand against social injustices and takes action to pursue peace and seek social justice.
Loving boldly, Church and Society:
- Encourages United Methodists to Take Action by Contacting their Congressional Representatives: Take Legislative Action 2025
- Stands in Solidarity for Human Rights: Church and Society Takes a Stand Against Electoral Violence with the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP)
- Joins in the faithful witness for justice and peace: Capitol Hill Faithful Witness Protests Begin on Ash Wednesday
Serve Joyfully
Even with the difficult and complex social issues, Church and Society manages, the work of Church and Society is fulfilled with joyful service. At its core, the mandate is an opportunity to participate in service that makes a difference to influence the transformation of the world through unwavering Christian principles and a Gospel that works for the common good.
Church and Society joyfully serves with:
- Dedicated staff serving in civil society and UN advocacy: Church and Society Leader Receives 2025 Spirit of the United Nations Award
- Church and Society Chairs & Peace with Justice Coordinators: Church and Society Advisory Team Charts Path Toward 2026 Jurisdictional Gatherings for Justice and Peace
- Partners with Central Conferences for the common good: GBCS Signs Co-Programming Agreement with Philippines Central Conference Board of Church and Society
- Support ministries throughout the connection: Church and Society Board Awards Grants for 2025
Lead Courageously
Seeking justice takes courage. The challenges facing our world are vast—poverty, immigration, racism, climate change, moral decay, greed and violence. Yet, in the face of these challenges, Church and Society steps up leading, advocating and promoting the Social Principles calling out injustices and mobilizing holy action that impact our daily lives.
Leading courageously, Church and Society actively:
- Trains and supports leaders in the connection: United Methodist Leaders Gather in Baltimore for Inaugural Faith-Based Organizing Training
- Supports future leaders: Church and Society Interns Offer Their Reflections as Summer Internships Close
- Partners with Young Adult Clergy for a life time of justice ministries: Church and Society Host Young Adult Clergy Leadership Forum in Ministry for Justice and Peace
GBCS Vision and mandate established by the UMC Vision
Through bold love, joyful service, courageous leadership, and worldwide connection, GBCS is actively engaged. The vision of UMC and GBCS’ focus to uphold and promote the Social Principles, enable the church to live into its holy witness.
It’s the United Methodist Social Principles that articulate our ethical aspirations for the common good in our public policies and personal commitments. Through them, we seek to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and to desire for our neighbors what we desire for ourselves. We believe in Living Faith, Seeking Justice and Pursuing Peace.
Check out these Church and Society Resources of love, service and leadership for United Methodists around the world:
- 2025–2026 GBCS Advocacy Legislative Priorities
- 2025 - 2028 Social Principles
- Faith & Facts Cards
- Justice Takes Courage Podcast with Host General Secretary Julius C. Trimble
- Don’t Invite Me to Preach
- Pages for Progress Book Study Guides
- Connecting Faith and Justice: Youth Lectionary Curriculum
- Building Power Together Toolkit
- Resource - Creating Change Together
- Kingdom Dreams Violent Realities Bible Study
- Position Statements on Specific Social and Governmental Policy Issues
Jeffrey Corey is the Senior Executive Director of Communications for the General Board of Church and Society. Originally published by Church and Society. Republished with permission by ResourceUMC.