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Our Vision Statements correspond to the four facets of our Purpose Statement.
Our Vision for "MEETING HIM IN WORSHIP"
"… is that when we are gathered as a church, each person might
experience together with other believers the real presence of God, and
respond to him with authentic expressions of praise and adoration. We
desire that this gathered experience of worship would lead to an
increased awareness of God's involvement in every area of our personal
lives, and to a response of deepening trust and love and a life of
service."
John 4:23-24
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the
true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they
are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his
worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." NIV
Worship is a response of all we are (mind, emotion, will, body) to all
God is, says and does. This occurs at two levels, corporately and
individually.
This means that…
… 'authentic expressions of praise and adoration'
goes beyond music and singing to include spoken words, physical
postures, prayer, etc.
… we will seek to bring together the best of worship traditions and forms to direct people into a response to God.
… as we become increasingly aware of God's hand in our everyday lives,
our trust and love for Him deepens, which leads to a growing motivation
to serve others as an act of worship.
Key Points in Corporate Worship
- Activities-use of various events to promote worship; to make
us think, feel, and act. Examples: drama, communion, baptism, prayer,
silence, sharing and testimonies, music, sharing of Scripture,
Scripture reading, special music, prayer with individuals, liturgy,
fellowship.
- Approach-worship in spirit and truth; creativity in
finding new ways to reveal God without compromising the message,
participatory, a combination of celebration and contemplation,
technology used to enhance worship.
- Atmosphere-creating/maintaining an atmosphere that
promotes intimacy with God. Examples: physical arrangement, lighting,
temperature, visual arts, removing distractions.
Our Vision for "STRENGTHENING THE BELIEVER"
"… is that every believer will be pursuing a daily love relationship
with Jesus Christ that is clearly visible in his/her beliefs,
attitudes, actions."
Key Points
1. For each person at Meadow Springs to practice a daily pattern of
conversation with God through His Word and prayer. (Discovery 2 helps
establish this pattern)
2. To have a growing prayer ministry that upholds the members and ministries of the church.
3. For every member of MSCC to have a network of supportive friends
who are actively encouraging that member in his or her walk with
Christ.
a. mentoring/discipleship
b. care groups
4. To pass on a vibrant Christian faith to the next generation through ministry to our children and youth.
a. Children's Ministry: high quality, parent-driven,
church supported. The role of the parents should not be seen as a
burden to bear, but as a mission to be passionate about.
b. Student Ministries: "Our purpose is to enter into the
lives of students in order to model and teach God's Truth and equip
them to experience and express the love of Christ."
5. To equip our church members with practical skills necessary to live
consistently for Christ in our relationships, families, finances,
neighborhoods and jobs.
a. Discovery 3
b. To provide training, counseling and resources in …
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Money/financial planning
- Parenting
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Marriage/relationships
- Conflict management
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Decision making
- Leadership
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Business/marketplace Christianity
Components of a mature believer include:
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regular communication with God through the Word and prayer (mentioned above), Biblical world view,
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serving, witnessing
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stewardship, knowledge of Scripture, integrity (ethical),
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personal holiness, Spirit controlled temperament, beliefs
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Christ-like character, actions, wisdom
Our Vision for "CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER"
"… is to be growing as a family of believers who embrace their
identity and accept the responsibility of being a part of a community
that actively cares for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of
one another."
Acts 4:32-35
32 All the believers
were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions
was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power
the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons
among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold
them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles'
feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. NIV
Key Points
1. Increase opportunities for meeting and getting to know one another.
Examples: Getting To Know You, Discovery Classes, Potlucks, Oktoberfest, Family Camp, Summer Concerts, etc.
2. Care Groups
3. Caring Ministries
a. Resource Guide, Helping Hands, Benevolence Fund, Providing Meals
b. Support and Recovery: co-dependency, abuse, addiction, divorce, unemployment, etc.
4. Elders
Prayer, spiritual guidance and support, practical needs
Components of a Caring Community
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caring for body needs, prayer, benevolence/finances,
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affirming one another, emotional support, forgiving one another,
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being available, fellowship, hospitality,
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accountability, awareness/sensitivity, unity/part of something,
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sacrificial exhortation
Our Vision for "COMMUNICATING GOD'S LOVE TO THE WORLD"
"… is for members of MSCC to be actively involved in communicating the
love of God through Jesus Christ to the world, starting with their
personal spheres of influence and reaching around the world."
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came
to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given
to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV
This means…
… the motivation comes as an outpouring and overflow
in one's personal relationship with God (Matt. 12:34 ) and obedience to
the commands of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28 ).
… expanding the mindset of how to use different means and methods of building bridges and sharing the Gospel.
… breaking barriers of judgmental thinking towards those outside the
faith, those of different races, cultures, and life choices.
… going out into the community rather than waiting for them to come to us.
… training people how to share their faith and how to answer questions.
Key Points
1. Gather a team for local outreach. Brainstorm ideas, organize an outreach event.
2. Conduct a bridge building event.
3. Conduct a training event. Training events: Discovery 4, How to Have a Neighborhood Christmas Party, Questions Seminars.
4. Prayer for neighborhoods.
Outreach Components
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missions, support, community service, community outreach,
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lifestyle evangelism, retreats/camps/events, neighborhood outreach,
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training, missions trips/activities, heart for the lost,
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global involvement, able to present the gospel, presenting the gospel,
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church planting, giving, prayer
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