Information Our Vision
Detailed look at Grace UMC'sVision and Mission for our Second Decade
Vision
Reaching people. Growing faith. Changing lives.
Mission
Our mission at Grace UMC is to develop spiritually mature disciples of Jesus Christ around the corner and around the world by:
- Worshipping God with heart, mind, soul, and strength
- Reaching out to people without Christ or a church home
- Engaging in ministry and mission in the church and beyond
- Caring and connecting with a family of believers
- Practicing biblical, whole-life stewardship
Core beliefs & core values
We understand that simply giving mental assent to certain beliefs does not make a real difference in life. Only what is truly believed is lived out in our daily lives. Therefore what we say and do and think is affected by the following core beliefs and values:
1) Above all else we endeavor to love God the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit with everything we have because Jesus said all else depends on our loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one another as much as Christ loves us. (“Great Commandment,” Mark 12:30; “New Commandment,” John 13:34)
• Core Value: Love Trinity & Others
2) We make disciples of Jesus Christ because Jesus told us in the Great Commission to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Core Value: Discipleship
3) We seek to reach lost people with the good news of Jesus Christ because they matter to God. Therefore they matter to us. (Luke 19:10)
• Core Value: Evangelism
4) We call people to salvation in Jesus Christ because real life is found only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)
• Core Value: Salvation
5) We strive for deep spiritual transformation because spiritual maturity is God’s goal for every believer. (Ephesians 3:16-19)
• Core Value: Sanctification
6) We look outward in ministry and service to help real people with real needs in real ways because God calls the church to serve Christ in the world. (Matthew 25:35-36, 40)
• Core Value: Mission & Outreach
7) We daily gain an “audience of One” with God because a vital prayer life is essential to an intimate relationship with God. (Matthew 26:40-41)
• Core Value: Prayer
8) We passionately worship God because that is our reasonable response to our Heavenly Father who loves us with extravagant abandon. (John 4:20-24)
• Core Value: Worship
9) We seek Christian friendship with other believers in the church because Jesus said we must be connected to God and to one another to produce anything of lasting value. (John 15:1-8)
• Core Value: Connection
10) We practice whole-life stewardship of our prayers, presence, giving, and service because we understand everything we have is a gift from God. (Matthew 6:19-21)
• Core Value: Stewardship
11) We read, study, and preach the Bible because it is inspired by God and is our rule and guide for teaching and training to live God's way. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Core Value: Primacy of scripture
12) We approach the Christian faith from our Wesleyan Methodist heritage because we believe that history provides the best, most balanced biblical theology to reach a hurting world that is lost without Christ.
• Core Value: Methodist heritage
To succeed in reaching people, growing faith and changing lives, we at Grace UMC must be purposeful and persistent in pursuing the following goals and objectives and monitoring and assessing their long-term effectiveness.
Goal One – Spiritual Maturity
To develop spiritually mature Christians who increasingly live worthy of our relationship with God.
• Provide a comprehensive program to help members and guests experience genuine spiritual transformation through growth in knowledge, experience, and hands-on service
o Focus simultaneously on three areas:
§ Head (knowledge and understanding)
§ Heart (personal experience)
§ Hands (service inside and outside the church)
o Utilize three phases that build upon each other (see attached Discipleship Grid):
§ Phase 1 (basics)
• Use assessments to determine current state
• Focus on fundamentals to establish a solid foundation
§ Phase 2 (intermediate)
• Increase small group participation
• Increase focus on experience and service
§ Phase 3 (maturing)
• Go deeper with small group experiences
• Increase commitment to mutual accountability and service
§ (A future fourth phase would focus on lifelong development)
• Designate leaders for each component of discipleship process
o Utilize an Associate Minister of Discipleship for oversight
o Equip leaders to utilize “Network” assessment of where/how to serve (see also Goal Five of this plan)
o Utilize DISC Inventory and “Spiritual Disciplines Assessment”
o Identify and equip leaders for “how-to” instruction
o Utilize mentor program
§ Match mentors with mentees in an ongoing system of support and training
o Equip a lay coordinator to oversee Crown Ministries financial stewardship program (see also Goal Six of this plan)
Goal Two – Worship
To gain an audience of one with God through worship within and outside the church.
• Encourage members and guests to prepare for worship and participate as laity when appropriate
o Invite those new to Methodism (as well as all others) to attend a class on the Wesleyan tradition and the church’s organization.
o Encourage an active prayer life, asking worshipers to:
§ Read sermon Scriptures in advance
§ Join prayer vigils and the prayer team
§ Pray daily over the prayer list and unspoken concerns
o Promote small-group development, with an emphasis on Bible study groups and Sunday school classes
o Enlist laity to read Bible lessons, lead prayer and serve as guest speakers so pastors can enjoy personal worship time
• Make worship services readily accessible and focused on bringing worshipers into God’s holy presence
o Utilize ushers identified with badges so members and visitors at all services feel comfortable, welcome, and confident in knowing where to go (see Supplement A: Welcome Program)
§ Ushers will direct communion participants to the rail from a center aisle and back to their seats via side aisles
o Configure seating and aisles so that:
§ Space is left open near the entrances
§ One central aisle accommodates entry
§ Space is available for wheelchairs at the end of four rows
§ Seats are offset to allow an unobstructed view
o Provide an order of worship specific to each service
§ Provide space for taking notes and listing prayer needs
• Inspire reverence and joy through prominent music ministries
o In the first and third services, the adult choir will perform each Sunday, supplemented by the Amazing Grace Singers, Quartet, Children’s Choir, Handbells and soloists; in the second service, the Praise and Worship Band will fill this need
o Ensure the quality of sound systems and risers reflects the importance of a growing music ministry
Goal Three – Evangelism
To invite people without a relationship with Jesus or a church home to experience spiritual transformation through God’s grace.
• Reach out to the people of Faulkner County to encourage church attendance and a personal relationship with Christ
o Utilize “servant evangelism” to introduce people to Grace UMC
§ Provide community services with no strings attached (no-donation car wash, free hot dogs at sporting events, etc.)
o Promote special events (Easter Eggstravaganza, VBS, Grace Fest, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) as community-wide events
§ Utilize mass media
§ Distribute door hangers/fliers
o Place visitor brochures/bulletins in local businesses
o Review ministries with an eye toward specific demographic segments (e.g., college ministries, singles, single parents)
• Reach out to all guests as if they need salvation and a church family
o Create positive encounters that plant a desire for repeat visits
§ Utilize ushers, greeters and “Grace Friends” in a coordinated welcome program that also includes follow-up contacts (see Supplement A: Welcome Program)
o Utilize “Good Neighbors” to invite and welcome guests within neighborhoods
§ Follow up with worship guests and invite new residents
o Encourage members who introduce themselves to guests on Sundays to follow up with a personal word of thanks for worshiping with us.
o Offer a visitor orientation gathering and new member banquet each year
o Utilize community group affiliations for evangelism (i.e., Boys & Girls Club, scouts, AA, sports teams, etc.)
• Assimilate new members in support of their journey toward spiritual maturity
o Provide new member packets/updates and videos
o Actively encourage involvement in Grace ministries, small groups, and music ministry
o Encourage participation in discipleship process
o Track new member attendance for first year, monitor church involvement, and provide encouragement as necessary
Goal Four – Mission & Outreach
To engage in ministry and missions so we can help people with real needs in real ways.
• Help all of Grace to find their “heart of service” so they can experience the joy of giving in active, hands-on ministry and missions work
o Use new-member orientation to set expectations of accountability for membership vows
o Utilize a “shepherd” program to connect members to service opportunities
o Foster participation through small-group “liaisons” and “challenge goals”
o Use multiple testimonial formats to publicize the joys of service
• Promote a “Seven4Heaven” group of core ministry opportunities that reflect our congregational calling to active, ongoing support through hands-on service, gifts, and prayer (see details in Supplement B: Ministry & Missions)
o Building a Better Future – active support for efforts to meet housing needs and improve the physical community
o Into the World – active missions support for needs outside Faulkner County
o Grace to Go – venturing into the immediate community to share Grace’s blessings
o Family to Family – mentoring in the community in a way that forms bonds and creates opportunities for evangelism
o Caring for Kids – actively meeting physical and spiritual needs of children
o Help for the Homeless – front-line support to meet basic and life skills needs
o Grace for Grace – compassion and care for those in need in our fellowship
• Promote Seven4Heaven in prominent displays and communications as a “menu” of opportunities for getting involved
o Engage all small groups, including children and youth
o Identify a “champion” for each area to drive support and communications
§ Update church leadership and provide annual report
• Promote other ministries in quarterly campaigns called “Every Dollar Counts” or “Every Prayer Counts”
o Emphasize one-time quick hits vs. ongoing commitment to “Seven4Heaven” programs
o For short-term “emergency” needs, ask individuals for help
• Establish a volunteer liaison with Faulkner County agencies to facilitate hands-on ministry work
o Focus on “Seven4Heaven” core programs
o Communicate urgent and ongoing needs and coordinate responses
o Have small groups appoint a “liaison to the liaison” to ensure broad-based involvement and timely responses
Goal Five – Fellowship
To connect members and guests with one another in caring, mutually nurturing, and supportive Christian friendships.
• Provide systematic care for people in need or in transition
o Utilize Person-to-Person Ministry for special needs
§ Educate congregation on need for lay involvement
§ Utilize guidelines formed for ministry in key areas
• Decline in individuals’ attendance
• Grief
• Divorce
• Substance abuse
• Job loss
• Catastrophic illness
§ Identify and equip leaders
§ Provide ongoing support for those in service
• Encourage service through recognition of efforts
§ Support ongoing, two-way communication between Person-to-Person Ministry and pastors/staff
• Provide overall environment and specific opportunities for developing mutually supportive and nurturing Christian relationships
o Use small groups to build personal bonds that align with Grace’s vision/mission
§ Share “secrets of success” from most effective groups
§ Utilize discipleship process (see Goal One above) to encourage participation in small groups
§ Support affinity groups that provide meaningful connections
• United Methodist Men/Women
• Sisters in Christ
• Club 456
• Youth
• Choirs
• Dinner groups
• Others as identified
§ Encourage participation in ministry/outreach activities and church committees as opportunities for connecting
Goal Six – Stewardship
To practice whole-life biblical stewardship as a way of life.
• Encourage worshipers to develop a vibrant, daily communion with the Trinity as the source of all blessings
o Emphasize the importance and benefits of prayer through:
§ An annual sermon series
§ “How-to” classes and guides
§ Hosting a prayer seminar
o Conduct 24-hour prayer vigils for specific needs
o Conduct routine prayer walks through neighborhoods
o Provide and promote daily devotional materials
o Utilize testimonials as powerful examples of prayer in action
• Encourage worshipers to develop a constant attitude of worship
o Emphasize the importance and benefits of daily worship via:
§ A teaching series
§ A seminar
§ A worship curriculum for all Sunday school classes
o Emphasize the importance and benefits of consistent attendance at worship services through:
§ A sermon series
§ Discipleship plan outlined in Goal One
o Utilize testimonials as examples of the power of worshiping in the presence of others
• Encourage worshipers to practice biblical stewardship of financial resources
o Utilize Crown Ministries to assist Grace with overall stewardship awareness, planning, and faithfulness
o Utilize testimonials as examples of the impact of generous giving
o Emphasize giving in the context of our membership vows
o Conduct a sermon series
• Create a “culture of commitment” where all members use their God-given gifts and talents in service to God
o Utilize “Network” to assist in discovering gifts and how to best utilize those gifts in service
o Use a “Worship + 2” strategy of regular worship plus one personal development activity for spiritual growth and one service-related activity (see attached Discipleship Grid)
o Utilize testimonials as examples of the impact of service
o Conduct a sermon series on service
Supplement A: Welcome Program
In support of Goal Three – to invite people without a relationship with Jesus or a church home to experience spiritual transformation through God’s grace – we will:
- Train and utilize ushers, greeters and “Grace Friends” in a coordinated welcome program
o Station greeters (men, women and children) at front entrance to greet worshipers
o Station “Grace Friends” in the lobby to visit with guests, direct them to visitor nametags and refreshments, and make them feel at home
o Train ushers to help worship guests find seating and to introduce them to those nearby
- Record and monitor visitor attendance for follow-up contact
o Contact visitors via mail after each of the first five visits, coordinated with personal contacts:
§ Brochure from membership care staff early in week
§ Pastor’s letter by midweek
o Establish personal contact (i.e., home visit, phone call, or card) with guests after each of the first five visits:
§ First: Doorstep visit by associate pastor within 36 hours, with a church coffee mug and visitor brochure
§ Second: Card or phone call from a Sunday school representative inviting them to attend the class
§ Third: Contact by a member of the Grace Welcome Team
§ Fourth: Contact by a staff member or small group representative inviting participation in a small group
§ Fifth: Contact by the senior pastor
o Ensure other follow-up activity with support from lay groups
§ Grace members are asked to watch the seats around them for people they do not know who may be guests. Members should extend a welcome and later report the guests’ names to the staff.
§ First- and second-time guests with children and youth will be contacted by United Methodist Kids and United Methodist Youth leaders with an invitation to participate
§ First-time guests will be placed on the mailing list for the weekly newsletter
§ A “ministry menu” will be included in the guest brochure to describe activities and opportunities available to members and guests
Supplement B: Ministry & Missions
In support of Goal Four – Help all of Grace to find their “heart of service” so they can experience the joy of giving in active, hands-on ministry and missions work – we will establish a “Seven4Heaven” group of core programs that reflect our “congregational calling” to active, ongoing support through hands-on service, gifts and prayer. This is not an exhaustive list, as the Holy Spirit may lead us in new directions.
- Building a Better Future – active support for efforts to meet shelter needs and improve the physical community.
- Habitat for Humanity: swing a hammer, buy a board, provide a meal, serve on board, join a prayer vigil, etc.
- Home/facility repairs for the women’s shelter, Bethlehem House and other Faulkner County facilities in need
- Into the World – active missions support for needs outside Faulkner County.
o Ozark Mission Project
o Health kits and disaster kits
o Overseas sister church program
- Grace to Go – venturing into the community to share Grace’s blessings.
o Meal preparation
o Distribution of nonperishable food, formula, diapers, etc.
o Prayer shawls (see also United Methodist Women section)
- Family to Family – mentoring in the community in a way that forms bonds and opportunities for evangelism.
- Coaching on finances, budgeting, housing, parenting, childcare, etc.
- Mentoring for Boys & Girls Club children
- Providing tutoring and English as a Second Language support
- Caring for Kids – actively meeting physical and spiritual needs of children.
- Layette/car seat ministry with Conway Regional
- Bible school/worship bags/food for kids during summer
- School kits for local children and Iraqi youth
- Angel Tree Christmas program and Easter baskets in support of foster kids
- Help for the Homeless – front-line support to meet basic and life skills needs.
- Bethlehem House
- Board membership
- Food pantry
- Sleepout in the Park fund-raiser
- Grace for Grace – compassion and care for those in need in our fellowship.
- Meals for families who experience a loss
- Rapid Response – emergency aid and other hands-on help
- Resource directory of those with experience in areas of need