Information Our Vision
Overview of the Vision and Mission of Grace UMC's Second Decade
Since its beginning in 1992, Grace United Methodist Church has been touching lives and shaping futures in Faulkner County and beyond. Stories of profound change and improbable victory over sin fill the pages of our history together. To build on that impact and reach even more people with the saving and sustaining grace of Jesus Christ, the Vision Team offers a Transformational Ministry Plan that defines what we are, and what we are called to do, as a body of Christ.
This plan, developed with church-wide input, requires commitment from everyone in our midst. It will be hard work, but the fruits of our labor will be worthwhile … and everlasting. Please prayerfully consider how you will join God in this vision, not only to give the gift of salvation to others but also to enrich your own personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. The choice is ours: settle for a passive faith with few lasting rewards or live richly in Christ as a disciple doing God’s work in the world.
As Colossians 3:13-17 (NIV) instructs us, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Our vision for Grace UMC – what we want to be – can be summarized in three simple expressions: Reaching people. Growing faith. Changing lives.
Our mission – what we do to achieve this vision – is to develop spiritually mature disciples of Jesus Christ around the corner and around the world by:
- Worshiping 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
This mission statement flows from a set of core beliefs and values – lived out in our daily lives – that have been widely expressed by the people of Grace. They are summarized as: Loving the Trinity with all that we are; making disciples of Jesus Christ; reaching lost souls through salvation in Christ; striving for spiritual maturity; serving others through mission and outreach; engaging in daily prayer; worshiping God passionately; connecting with others in Christian friendship; practicing stewardship with all that we have; using God’s Holy Word as our principal authority; and adhering to our Wesleyan tradition.
In practice, the transformation of our ministry will be an evolutionary process. Some objectives will be accomplished quickly. Others will depend on the ongoing support and commitment of our church family. Still others may depend on God’s provision. But the framework is here to fulfill the vision of reaching people, growing faith, and changing lives.
This plan is largely anchored in the second element of our vision – growing faith. Only through the development of spiritually mature Christians will we be able to sow seeds of progress in all other areas of impact including evangelism, stewardship and charity. For that reason, we are introducing a four-phased discipleship process that will meet all members and guests where they are and help them grow into what God wants them to be.
The attached discipleship grid outlines the instruction and areas of commitment for growing in discipleship and cultivating a strong relationship with each Person of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Some elements of instruction are already in place, while others will need to be developed and leaders found to carry out the mission.
Other cornerstones for our Transformational Ministry Plan flow from discipleship:
- Enhancing the worship experience through greater preparation and participation by members and guests, through a well-defined music program, and through readily accessible worship services
- Helping members share the joy of salvation through connecting with the un-churched in servant discipleship, and through helping newcomers grow their faith and find their niche at Grace
- Providing multiple, focused opportunities for engaging in ministry and missions with an emphasis on hands-on service in addition to gifts and prayer
- Helping everyone find a place in a caring family of believers so that they are nurtured in their spiritual growth, cared for in times of need, and encouraged when they stumble
- Applying biblical principals of stewardship in all areas of life so that each person – and our church – experiences the fullness of a life lived in accordance with God’s plan for us
The journey will be long, and marked by both trials and triumphs. But if we follow the path modeled for us in Scripture and support our efforts fully with prayer, we will see transformation in our personal lives and in the corporate life of our church. It’s God’s promise to us, and God is faithful and true.
The Transformational Ministry Plan is our guidebook. What you see here is an overview. The full plan, with all objectives and supporting strategies, is available in the lobby, the church office, and Sunday school classrooms.
As we move forward, we do so in celebration of all that God has done in and through Grace Church since it began more than a decade ago. We celebrate what Grace has done in your life and the lives of thousands of others in Faulkner County and beyond. And we look forward to an even greater impact in the years to come. As you discover where you are called to join in what God is doing in and through our church, we look forward to working alongside you in this lifelong journey to become spiritually mature disciples of Jesus Christ.
In Christ’s love,
The Vision Team