As the new year begins, pages on the calendar are filled with dates and appointments and trips and events. Nothing is more important than determining priorities and bringing God-given dreams into reality. As a church, these questions have been helpful in leading us to the following answers:

Why do we exist? (Our Mission)

We live to bring glory to God
          as we obey the Great Commandment: Loving God;
          as we live the Great Commitment: Serving others;
          and as we fulfill the Great Commission: Sharing Jesus.

Who do we believe we are? (Our Values)

We are a biblical congregation; God’s word is the authority for what we believe and what we do.
We are a multigenerational congregation; God has called us together to be His family across many decades.
We are a missional congregation; God has a purpose for our church that extends outward for His glory.

What do we intend to do in 2012 to carry out our mission? (Our Goals)

These seven goals for 2012—merging our mission and values into action—have been adopted by the Church Council to form the basis for our ministry together this year:

Loving God as a biblical congregation, we intend to
     1. Lead our members to develop a lifestyle of personal obedience to God’s Word; and to
     2. Engage our members with the comprehensive message of the Bible.

Serving others as a multigenerational congregation, we intend to
     3. Celebrate the various generations represented within our congregation; and to
     4. Assist each generation in reaching its unique population.

Sharing Jesus as a missional congregation, we intend to
     5. Develop and implement a strategy for reaching the community surrounding our church location; to
     6. Enable our members to reach their own neighbors for Christ; and to
     7. Extend the Gospel to those who have never heard.

Every member of our congregation is invited to attend one of three “Listening Sessions” in the Great Hall from 9:00-11:30 a.m. on January 21, 28, and February 4 to discuss these goals and consider God’s leadership for 2012 and beyond. We’ll listen together for the Spirit’s guidance in how He intends for us to carry out His mission together. We belong to Him!