Christ United Methodist Church Vision, Mission, Values

“The Church of the Future” We live in a time of radical change. Technological, moral, societal, and political change is the norm. The church cannot escape this world of change, but it must find a way to be faithful in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel never changes, but the means and methods of sharing the good news changes from age to age. In the future, vital congregations will find ways not simply to survive, but to be in mission for Jesus Christ. These congregations will discover a vision for ministry without compromising the gospel, touching the lives of many who are spiritually hungry. The early church served in a hostile world; yet they grew and were faithful. Their mission field was outside their doorways; their members were in ministry for Jesus Christ and their leaders trained and equipped them as disciples. The 'clergy' were not the ones paid to do ministry; all were in ministry. The vital church in the future will rediscover the ministry of all Christians and the mission field outside its doorways. It will seek to follow Ephesians 4 for today's world

Vision, Mission and Value Statements Definitions Mission: “The Mission Statement is the basic, bottom-line mission of the church. It is why the church exists. It is what keeps the leaders and various teams in alignment. The more diverse the ministries of the church are, the more important the Mission Statement is. It is seldom longer than a sentence, is easily memorized, and general in nature.”

Vision, Mission and Value Statements Definitions Vision: The Vision statement is a narrow mission of the church. It is slightly longer and much more specific. It steers individuals and teams in the direction a particular Body is going and tells them what the Body hopes to accomplish. A church must be clear about its bottom line in order to develop Mission and Vision statements.

Vision, Mission and Value Statements Definitions Value Statement: The Value statement sets the boundaries of opportunity in which individuals and groups within the congregation can live out the above two statements without having to get permission to act. It provides the subtle boundaries that informally sanction or prohibit behavior." (Bill Easum, Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers, Abington, page 136)

Transforming lives in the love of Jesus Christ Mission Transforming lives in the love of Jesus Christ

Vision Statement Having received the gift of salvation through faith in Christ, we believe we are Called to become a church that creatively extends Christ's ministry to our community and the world. We believe Christ Church has been called to seek the lost, spread the Good News and nurture disciples. We will strive to be a Christian influence in homes, businesses, government and the educational community. We intend to accomplish this by developing evangelistic relationships with the community and by becoming a Christian education center for all people. This vision’s realization will see disciples prepared and going out into ministry throughout the world, bearing fruit and glorifying God!

Value Statements We are committed to follow Christ, know Christ, love Christ, and practice the love of Christ. John 1:18 "No one has ever seen God. It is only the Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known." Disciples follow their Master. We are called to follow Jesus everyday of our lives, to get to know his ways, to develop a deep, loving relationship with him, and to share that love with others. When we do so we know God and become know as God's people. We are committed to Christian transformation. Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God- what is good and acceptable and perfect." We are a people seeking to be made new in Christ. Only transformation of the inner person through grace can make a human being truly righteous in God’s sight. To accept Jesus without having your entire life transformed is simply an intellectual event. To try to transform your life without the grace of God will ultimately not last.

Value Statements We are committed to prayer. I Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing." Prayer is on going conversation with the living God. Prayer builds faith and transforms the world. It undergirds our entire ministry. We are committed to seeking and obeying the will of God. Luke 22:42 "Not my will, but yours, be done." We will prayerfully develop and administer programs and ministries so that they are in keeping with God's will for Christ Church. We are committed to recognizing and using our Spiritual gifts. 1 Timothy 4:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” We seek to discover and employ all the gifts the Spirit has placed within our community for the common good.

Value Statements We are committed to evangelism. Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We are committed to spreading the Good News and creating opportunities to bring all people to God the Father through Jesus the Son. We seek to spread the knowledge and love of God through our conversations, our attitudes, our relationships, our teachings, and our behaviors. We are committed to equipping and encouraging the saints to go out and humbly serve in the world. Ephesians 4:12 “to prepare God’s people for works of service” Just as Christ poured himself out for us, we are called to pour ourselves out in service to others, to the glory of God. No act of kindness is too small for us, no call to service is too large for us.

Value Statements We are committed to the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 “You are the body of Christ.” We are committed to living and working together in mutual interdependence as ministers in Christ's name. We seek to live as a reconciled community, loving, serving, and growing spiritually together until Christ's work in us is complete. We seek to be Christ's hands and feet reaching out to a needy world. Together with Christians of other traditions and backgrounds we will show the world that Christ's followers are truly one. We are committed to being salt and light. Matthew 5:13 – 16 “You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before all, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” In a world filled with so many messages of darkness and despair, we seek to stand out as a people of hope. We seek to live in a way that is just, righteous, gentle, and holy. We desire for all of our members to make a difference in the world in a way that is unique for each so that the whole community might be blessed.

Value Statements We are committed to education through Biblically-based teaching and preaching. 2 Timothy 3:15 – 17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” We are committed to maintaining a high quality and diverse Christian education program whose goal is to train and equip disciples for understanding and sharing the faith in a complex world. We are committed to worship. Ephesians 5:19 – 20 “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are committed to drawing together for shared worship that is directed by the Holy Spirit, accessible, relevant, and true to the Gospel. n