United Nations Ministry

Church and Society holds a non-governmental, consultative status with the United Nations. This status allows us to participate in UN meetings, consultations and conferences. Through this ministry, the church joins God in the work of social transformation.

UN General Assembly

Church and Society’s New York office, located across the street from the United Nations, has resources to help you advocate on and connect to issues of local and global importances.

  • For more information, write the Rev. Liberato C. Bautista
  • 777 United Nations Plaza
  • Suite 7C
  • New York, NY 10017
  • Or click here to send him an email.

We seek to improve the lives of people throughout the world because Christ calls us to love our neighbors. It is an extension of what John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement said, “The world is my parish.” Our ministry at the UN gives us the space to do that on the international stage.

We maintain a ministry of presence, especially in New York, Geneva and Vienna. We also participate in various UN-related events around the world.

The Church Center for the United Nations is an active witness to United Methodist presence at the UN in New York City. While the UN is most accessible to diplomats and UN staff, the Church Center is open to all peoples. Civil groups and nongovernmental organizations gather at the Church Center to address governments assembled at the UN.

What the Bible and The United Methodist Church Say:

“A United Nations Office shall be maintained in cooperation with the General Board of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Women’s national organization.” (Book of Discipline, ¶1010.B & ¶1903.12)

The Prophet Isaiah said, “[God] shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

“Our participation in [the] many activities [of the United Nations] allows us to … make it a responsible and effective global force in peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding, and in the recognition of human dignity and the protection of human rights.” (Book of Resolutions, 6025)

To work for justice and peace for all is to affirm God’s promise of the fullness of life for all. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Our United Nations ministry is an effort for mutuality and international cooperation on the things that make for peace and that establish international justice. “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19)

Three Things You Can Do:

  • Celebrate United Nations Sunday, usually the Sunday closest to October 24 the day the United Nations was founded.
  • Organize an Isaiah Circle in your local church, district or annual conference. This is a group of people inspired by the Isaiah text cited above. The group should intentionally discuss social issues with an eye and perspective that connect the local and global in meaningful ways. Our UN office can help with ideas.
  • Know and contact the ambassador of your country to the United Nations. Write them, urging them to support efforts of the United Nations to fulfill its mandates for peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development.

Videos from GBCS’ United Nations Ministry

For more information on the United nations, visit: