God established the church:

• for intimate knowledge of and communion with Him
  
  
• for life-changing relationship with each other
  
  
• for a redemptive influence in the world
  

As we understand our vision for the present and future, here is what it looks like in more detail:

1.  Reaching Up

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen"

--Ephesians 3:20-21

Because God has chosen to glorify his name by means of his church:

• We teach the meaning, significance, and purpose of worship that is "in Spirit" and "in truth" (John 4:24).
  
  
• We offer praise intended to be both acceptable to God and a uniting, refreshing experience for each person.
  
  
• We plan times of worship that will be relevant and meaningful for newcomers to the Christian faith as well as for believers whose faith is mature.
  
  
• We draw a clear, unmistakable connection between our corporate worship and holy living, between the praise in our assemblies and the praise of our lives (Psalm 100; Romans 12:1-2).
  
  
• We consistently encourage holy living, taking seriously the call to Christ-likeness.
  

2.  Reaching In

"try to excel in gifts that build up the church"

--1 Corinthians 14:12

Because God wills for his church to mutually encourage and support one another:

• We deeply value the church as the family of God.
  
  
• We eagerly embrace a diversity of age, race, background, and opinion.
  
  
• We encourage "togetherness" by every means possible, creating opportunities for our family to interact and participate in each other's lives.
  
  
• We act on our responsibility to nurture, train, and educate the children with whom God has blessed us.
  
  
• We provide for a greater capacity to support and give counsel to individuals or families who are facing stressful times; to help free people who struggle with the burdens of sin.
  

3.  Reaching Out

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

--Matthew 25:40

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

--Matthew 28:18-20

Because God has called us to reach out with His mercy and with the message of his Son, Jesus:

• We compassionately serve people in need.
  
  
• We acknowledge our identity as "salt and light" to the world (Matthew 5:13-16) and take seriously our responsibility to make a difference for good in our neighborhoods, at work, in our schools, and in political discussions and community decisions.
  
  
• We are a church where teaching the lost -- both locally and internationally -- is prized; where preachers, teachers, missionaries, and those who help them are duly honored for their work's sake.
  
  
• We want our evangelistic efforts to be prayerfully considered, appropriately targeted, and above all, effective.