Vision

“Where there is no vision the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18

Our vision statement is an answer to the question “Where is God taking us?” It is important to look back at our history to understand where we have been and how we built our foundation. However, we cannot stay in our history; we must move into the future. It is important to remember that just as God is a part of our history and our foundation, God is ahead of us in our future and shapes where we want to be as a community in the future. It is about God’s story, our story, and finding the places where the two intersect.

connected

“...lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1b-3 

God has already brought unity through what Christ has done for us. Now, we guard that unity already created by Christ by focusing upon what holds us together. As a congregation, we will commit to opportunities that are about people, and not simply about programs.

Caring

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2  / “Be kind one unto another, tender hearted forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

As a congregation, we want people to know that they are loved. Often the best way to show that is by what we say and by what we do. People want to know that they are not alone. People want to be seen. To care for someone is to be present for them and to see them.

FAITH

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand; and we boast (rejoice) in our hope of sharing the glory of God.”   Romans 5:1-2

We are not simply a group of people; we are a group of faith-people. It is important to be guided by our faith in God and not our faith in ourselves. We are a people that believe that our faith comes from God. When we join our voices together to profess the words of the Apostle’s Creed, we say together that “it is not by our own understanding or effort that we come to God.” Faith is a combination of trusting God and knowing God. It’s about who you are and who God is. Ultimately, it isn’t about how much faith you have, but who you put your faith in. (Jacobson)

community

“For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.”   Matthew 18:20 / “so in Christ, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5

The Bible was made for members of a community. The Old Testament was a covenant for the Hebrew community. The New Testament is about God’s covenant through Christ. As Christians, we are adopted into this Bible community that is about God’s covenant with us through Christ and the story of God’s relationship with people and all creation. (Pregeant). We can only be community together. We are a God community; and we are a church that bears the name of Christ. It is through this community that gathers together to worship God that we are strengthened through the sacraments (holy baptism and holy communion) and strengthened for God’s service/work in our daily lives. Community is about expanding God’s table so that all are welcome (our mission).