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Mission Statement / Core Values of First Church
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VIBRANT WORSHIPCHRIST CENTERED AND MEANINGFUL FOR ALLSeek to enhance the technology in the sanctuary Explore possibilities for new worship opportunities and venues Explore alternative worship styles Develop a children’s worship for the Sunday morning worship time |
CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONCONTINUOUS AND TRANSFORMINGSet programs and staff across the age spectrum Develop a better and organized program for small groups Encourage the new children’s ministry and provide materials needed Encourage the Center for Life Enrichment and promote within the community Training for teachers Stressing always as a theme application of Biblical truths in our daily living |
CONTAGIOUS HOSPITALITY FOR ALLSet up an aggressive visitor program that has a welcome center, trained people, follow-up program, etc. Program to encourage new members Recognition of long term members More welcoming physical environment Handicap accessibility a top priority Broadcast worship service and make DVDs available to shut-ins |
MISSION AND OUTREACHContinue to encourage mission activities in the membership Support our mission efforts Look for opportunities to reach out into the community and meet needs that are not already being met. |
BOUNTIFUL TITHINGEncourage and teach the biblical concept of tithing |
GENUINE FELLOWSHIPBUILDING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY1. Establish opportunities for community building such as carry-ins and special programs that will bring the church family together 2. Establish small groups for fellowship and learning 3. Establish a program of family-oriented activities, trips, etc. |
CONTINUOUS GROWTHIN OUR FAITH AND LIVES1. Set about a program for individual discipleship 2. Establish prayer coordinator and intercessory prayer program for the church 3. Teach and implement the various spiritual disciplines available for people such as study, prayer, etc. 4. Programs such as confirmation, Stephens Ministry, etc. active and implemented |
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We hold in common with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. We share the Christian belief that God’s redemptive love is realized in human life by the activity of the Holy Spirit, both in personal experience and in the community of believers.
We believe that God is manifested in three persons – as Creator (God) as Redeemer (Jesus Christ) and as Sustainer (The Holy Spirit). All three are equal and at work in our lives.
We understand ourselves to be part of Christ’s universal church when by adoration, proclamation and service we become conformed to Christ.
With other Christians we recognize that the reign of God is both a present and future reality.
We share with many Christian communions a recognition of the authority of Scripture in matters of faith, the confession that our justification as sinners is by grace through faith, and the sober realization that the church is in need of continual reformation and renewal.
is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace where Christians are “adopted” into the family of God. It is also a sign of new birth. We believe in the baptism of infants and children as a sign of God’s seal on a child’s life. We may baptize by immersion, sprinkling or pouring.
or The Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated often as sign of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. In the United Methodist church, the table is open to all who believe or seek to believe in Jesus Christ and who wish to remember his life given for our sins. Children are encouraged to participate as their parents think they are ready. We use a common loaf symbolizing the gathering of the grain together to make one loaf to be shared among many. We use grape juice as the symbol of Christ’s blood in deference to any who might have a problem with alcohol.
OUR DISTINCTIVE WESLEYAN EPMPHASIS
Although John Wesley shared with many other Christians a belief in grace, justification, assurance, and sanctification, he combined them in a powerful manner to create distinctive emphases for living the full Christian life. Grace pervades our understanding of Christian faith and life. By grace we mean the undeserved, unmerited and loving action of God in human existence through the ever-present Holy Spirit. Prevenient Grace is that grace which prompts our first wish to please God, our first understanding concerning God’s will and our “fiorst slight transient conviction” of having sinned against God. Justification and Assurance is that movement of God’s grace which assures of our salvation through Jesus Christ. It is that time of knowing that we are children of God and our assurance of full acceptance of God even as we fully accept God in our hearts. Sanctification and Perfection is the goal of our Christian journey. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to increase in the knowledge and love of God and in our ability to love our neighbor. This gracious gift of God’s power and love, the hope and expectation of the faithful, is neither warranted by our efforts nor limited by our frailties. Faith and Good Works – We see God’s grace and human activity working together in the relationship of faith and good works. God’s grace calls forth human response and discipline.
We insist that personal salvation always involves Christian mission and service to the world. By joining heart and hand, we assert that personal religion, evangelical witness and Christian social action are reciprocal and mutually reinforcing.
We emphasize the nurturing and serving function of Christian fellowship in the Church. The personal experience of faith is nourished by the worshiping community.