In addition to the two funerals this week we had meetings all weekend to cast the vision for our community of faith. The meetings went well. There were relatively few questions (which can be good or bad) and people seem genuinely interested in getting to work. So here is our vision - here is where we are headed.
We EXIST to develop mature followers of Jesus Christ.
Our VISION is to become a relevant community of faith devoted to loving God and serving Stockton.
The GOAL for each person in our community of faith is:
- To experience the POWER and PRESENCE of God.
- To grow in the GRACE and KNOWLEDGE of Jesus Christ.
- To be NURTURED and MATURED in faith.
- To be EQUIPPED and RELEASED to serve.
As a community of faith we VALUE:
- ACCEPTANCE that requires us to treat each other with mercy and grace.
- COMMITMENT that requires loving obedience.
- CHANGE that allows us to serve our culture and that transforms us to imitate the character of Christ.
- CREATIVITY that inspires each of us to develop and use our spiritual gifts to glorify God.
- PRAYER that expresses faithful reliance in our God.
- RELATIONSHIPS that are Christ-centered as we intentionally invest in others to be formed by Christ.
- SERVICE that connects our community of faith to each other and to those being served.
- WORSHIP that passionately engages each person to experience the power and presence of God.
As a community of faith we are intentionally involved in MINISTRIES that actively engage those serving and those being served.
As a community of faith our LEADERSHIP is intentionally designed for growth and service.
Our STAFF serves the community of faith by leading.
- Staff members set the vision and direction for our community of faith.
- Staff members create and implement programs and ministries for our community of faith.
- Staff members mentor and equip servant leaders to facilitate our ongoing ministry efforts.
Our SERVANT LEADERS lead the community of faith by serving.
- Servant leaders are responsible for the day-to-day managing of the specific ministries within our community of faith.
- Servant leaders actively involve our community of faith in ministry efforts.
- Servant leaders are given specific responsibilities based upon their spiritual gifts and abilities.
Our SHEPHERDS serve the community of faith by shepherding.
- Shepherds develop and cultivate intimate, authentic relationships within our community of faith.
- Shepherds are entrusted with the spiritual care and well being of those within our community of faith.
- Shepherds are proactive in assessing spiritual needs and reactive in responding to those needs within our community of faith.
Right now these are just words. We are working diligently to make this a reality.
6 Responses to “A Relevant Church”
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October 16th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Thank you for this post, Randy. It goes right to my heart.
October 16th, 2006 at 10:04 am
A vision that includes permission to change to be relevant to the people it is trying to reach for the Lord – wow! My prayer is that your “words†will become living reality. Thanks for sharing with us.
October 16th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
I hope only great success for you and the Stockton family!!
October 16th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
They are very nice words.
October 17th, 2006 at 5:10 am
I was unfair last night on iChat. You’ve got a nice set of ideals and focus statements. Now, tell me what it will look like when everyone is doing the things you’ve set out for them to do.
October 17th, 2006 at 7:37 am
I think they’ll remain just words unless they are completely immersed in prayer, and I mean prayer from all of us.
Consider those very good words prayed over from this sector of the universe.