We are a Matthew 25 church
This transformative movement calls on mid councils, congregations, and groups to live out the church’s mission through bold and compassionate discipleship. Rooted in Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 25:31-46, this movement invites you to engage in three core pillars: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty.
The Matthew 25 vision builds from the theme of wholeness or peace – shalom in the Hebrew text and eirene in the Greek - and orients us toward what we are building, cultivating, and creating with God in lives and communities. We build beloved communities in part by dismantling the harm caused by racist structures. We cultivate economic wholeness when we act to eliminate the destructive influence of poverty on people and communities. These actions can welcome abundant life, equity, and hope in our shared journey.
At its core, Matthew 25 is about the healing and restoration of relationships, systems, and societies that reflect God’s justice and love. Jesus was often referred to as the Prince of Peace. Like Christ, Matthew 25 seeks to embody wholeness in action.
3 Pillars
Building congregational vitality
By challenging congregations and their members to deepen and energize their faith and grow as joyful leaders and disciples actively engaged with their community, seeing new disciples engaged in ministry and longstanding believers develop in faith as the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared in word and deed.
Dismantling structural racism
By fearlessly applying our faith to advocate and break down the systems, practices, and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice, and oppression of people of color.
Eradicating systemic poverty
By acting on our beliefs and working to change laws, policies, plans, and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.