Details
Category: Worship

VISION: WHAT IS GOD CALLING US TO DO?

What is Vision?

Vision sets our church on a course toward a desired destination.  It takes who we are (Core Values) and points that uniqueness toward what we can accomplish.  What is a church that has our Core Values called to do?

Vision:

  • Paints a picture.  People see where we’re going.
  • Focuses us.
  • Builds momentum.

 

Respond and Reflect

Think ahead to five years from now.  Reflecting on First Church’s Core Values that have now been determined (A Gracious Welcome, Spiritual Growth, A Loving Church Family, A Joyful Spirit, and Serving Our Neighbors), what do you think God is calling our church to do?  Consider:

 

What should be our primary calling and purpose?

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

 

What should be our unique niche?  What particular needs in our community should we seek to meet?

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

 

What two or three key things would you want our church to be known for?  (E.g. a safe and relevant place to explore faith, many activities for kids to be challenged and grow, generosity to those in need.)

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

 

If God would grant you one wish for this church, what would you wish?

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                           

 

Take a moment to look at the examples of possible Vision Statements below.  Notice how there is a future focus that involves some sort of a specific and unique goal or direction.  Also notice how these Vision Statements are faithful to our church’s Core Values.

First Congregational Church seeks to be a truly multi-generational church, reaching out to all ages and providing multiple ministries for each generation so that we might become a whole and healthy body of Christ.

First Congregational Church aspires to be a church committed to: 1) serving the spiritual needs of all through inspirational worship and small group ministries; 2) serving our local community by partnering with local agencies and understanding local needs and concerns; 3) serving young people, both inside and outside our church family.

First Congregational Church strives to be a vibrant, inclusive congregation in which all are free to explore and grow spiritually and intellectually in a supportive, accepting community.  We will do this by welcoming greater diversity and working for a more just and peaceful world.

 

A good Vision Statement has these characteristics:

  • The Vision is faithful to the congregation’s best understanding of its

Core Values and religious heritage.

  • The Vision Statement is oriented to the future, discerning what God is

calling the particular congregation to be and do in its particular context.

  • The Vision Statement clearly sets the congregation apart from the

Vision Statements of other nearby congregations.

  • The Vision provides focus for the ministry while preventing the church

from seeking to be all things to all people.

  • The Vision Statement is specific enough to provide direction for the

congregation’s life, but broad enough to include multiple but

complementary visions important to groups within the congregation.

  • The Vision is appropriate to the specific congregation, bearing in mind

its history, culture, size, resources, location, and capacities, as well as

what its members care deeply about.

  • The Vision Statement is realistic in terms of the congregation’s social

context.

 

Now write your own potential Vision Statement (should be short – one to two sentences) that would focus the church toward one or more of those specific things you feel God is calling us to do and to be.