Our mission statement answers this question:

Why do we exist as a community of faith?

OUR MISSION

CALLED BY GOD'S LOVE, WE CARE, CONNECT AND SERVE.

We CARE for you by embracing you with a welcoming spirit of hospitality.

We, who are many, CONNECT to be one in Christ. As the body of Christ, we accept, support, rely on and encourage each other to grow in our Christian faith.

We SERVE by following Christ into the world by being his hand and feet to meet the needs of others.

Our vision statement answers the question: What is God going to do through us?

OUR VISION

THE OPEN ARMS OF CHRIST EMBRACE OUR WORLD THROUGH GRACE.

CORE VALUES

1. We believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

What does this mean?

We are grateful for his wonderful gift of forgiveness, and we encourage all to seek Him.

John 3:16 (NRSVA) 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

2. We continue to grow in our faith.

What does this mean?

The essential ingredients of a growing faith are prayer, biblical equipping, and active participation in the body of Christ through worship (word and sacrament) and serving others.

2 Peter 3:18 (NRSVA) 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

3. We are faithful stewards of our God-given gifts

What does this mean?

We prayerfully, and carefully employ the resources entrusted to the body of Christ.

As participants in the ministry of the church, we freely offer our spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ, holding each other accountable to God’s abundant gifts of grace.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NRSVA) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.

4. We are a welcoming faith community.

What does this mean?

We build a welcoming spirit by nurturing supportive, and caring relationships centered on Christ.We are an inviting, embracing and accepting community that offers people an opportunity to meet God in a personal way.

Ephesians 2:19-20 (NRSVA) 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

5. We live in a relationship of accountability with each other, and with God.

What does this mean?

In the context of congregational life, members hold one another accountable to the core values, mission and vision. Along with accountability, we give support and encouragement to one another.

Romans 14:11-12 (NRSVA) 11For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." 12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

6. We live as people who are other-centered, sustaining a spirit of servanthood and compassion, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What does this mean?

By putting Christ first, we put others first. True joy is experienced in serving others.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NRSVA) 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

 

Links:

ELCA

SE MN Synod