Vision, Goals...and Why?

“Mission” is what we are doing today. “Vision” is where we are going. “Goals” is how we are going to get there. Perhaps most important question is “why?” God’s work through Christ Jesus is at the center of every “why?”

Why does St John’s need a Mission Statement? Isn’t our mission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19-20)? Yes, but every congregation does that in a unique way. To give us focus in this time and place, we believe God calls our mission to be Celebrating God’s Love, Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, and Serving our Neighbors. We have limited time and energy to be a part of God’s unlimited work of making the world new in Christ. So, we decide what to do and how to do it based on this way of understanding our mission.

Why does St John’s need a Vision Statement? Because we can’t stand still, but are always moving forward in time. Where is God leading us? What is God calling St John’s to become in the next 5 years?

Over the last year, we’ve been working on that question. Special thanks to the Vision Team: Casey Goslin (chair), Matt Ruble (secretary), Val Cobos, Mae Goslin, Lita Johnson, Fred Sueyoshi, and Bill Thompson! The Council is calling a special congregation meeting on Sun June 15 at 9:45am to consider the proposal. We’ll have discussion groups Sundays May 25 and June 1 at 9:45am at the Manor. Come discuss!

Here’s the proposed vision statement:

God’s grace guides St. John’s to grow

as a Christ-centered, inclusive, and active community.

From that vision, five goals emerged:

1. growing a culture of radical hospitality and inclusion,

2. strengthening a culture of caring,

3. equipping all generations to live out their faith,

4. partnering with community organizations, and

5. empowering leaders.

Why are these the goals? We’ll be talking more about these details at the upcoming forums! Please participate with your questions and what excites you about this vision. Please pray that God would guide us as we seek God’s vision for St. John’s and God’s goals to draw us forward into God’s future!

Listening with you for God’s direction,

Pastor Peter