By Gbayor Charles Gbayor | UM News Monrovia
Monrovia, Liberia–The Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., has returned home to Liberia following his active participation in the Council of Bishops meeting held in Chicago, Illinois, from April 27 to May 1, 2025, Bishop Quire also participated in the Central Conference Theological Education Fund (CCTEF) meeting. The CCTEF provides critical funding for theological education across all United Methodist Central Conferences outside the United States. The meeting was held from May 2 to 5, 2025. The Bishop’s attendance reflects the Liberia Annual Conference’s continued commitment to strengthening theological education and leadership development within the global connection of the United Methodist Church.
Bishop Quire joined fellow bishops, both active and retired, from around the globe in the United Methodist Church’s highest executive gathering. The Council of Bishops, which provides spiritual and administrative oversight for the denomination’s nearly 10 million members across four continents, convened to deliberate on the Church’s future and its global mission.
A major highlight of this year’s meeting was the unveiling of a new vision statement for the United Methodist Church. Developed in collaboration with the Connectional Table, the vision seeks to deepen the Church’s identity and inspire transformational ministry across its worldwide network.
The new vision reads:
“The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
This vision complements the Church’s long-standing mission statement, drawn from Matthew 28:1-20:
“To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Speaking on the vision’s significance, Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President of the Council of Bishops, emphasized, “This new vision is not simply a statement or a plan, it is a catalyst for transformation. It will help the Church embrace the opportunities before us, follow where God is leading, and fully engage in our mission.”
Bishop Quire, reflecting on the experience, expressed his optimism about the Church’s renewed direction. He noted that the guiding principles of the vision —Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously —resonate deeply with the Liberian context and offer a strong foundation for ministry and community impact.
The principles are grounded in scripture:
- Love Boldly: Inspired by Matthew 22:37–39 and John 13:34–35, calling the faithful to love God and embrace people of every background.
- Serve Joyfully: Drawn from Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, and 1 Peter 4:10, encouraging Christ-like compassion and joyful service.
- Lead Courageously: Modeled after Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10, urging believers to stand against injustice and strive for peace and reconciliation.
As part of the rollout, the Council of Bishops and Connectional Table will collaborate with General Agencies to develop and distribute educational and worship resources. These materials will be shared during Annual Conference sessions and within local congregations starting this summer. Resources tailored for lay members are expected by late 2025 into early 2026.
Bishop Quire’s return signals a renewed commitment to aligning the United Methodist community with the global Church’s spiritual movement. As he resumes his leadership role, many in the Liberia Annual Conference look forward to how this vision will be contextualized and lived out across churches, communities, and ministries throughout Liberia and Guinea.