DR. DEBORAH PROPOSES NEW VISION STATEMENT:
Since last September, the leadership of the church and I have been working on a number of projects including the creation of a new vision statement and core values (Cornerstones, as we have been calling them). The Cornerstones are: Belong, Hope, Love, Peace, Serve, Share. The three main components that continued to arise throughout all of our conversations around vision were: a place to BELONG, a place of PEACE, and embrace our community.
Throughout my sabbatical, January to March 2025, I continued to do research into these concepts and review other churches’ vision statements. Through lots of conversations, hours upon hours of praying and journaling, and continued brainstorming with staff, I finally came to a couple of realizations. First, it is really hard to compete with Jesus’ own words. Second, not everything needs to be complicated or super creative. So, let’s be straight forward and state clearly what God is calling us to do!
New Vision Statement = Love God. Love Neighbor. Share Hope.
We, preachers, preach these concepts and use these words every Sunday in one way or another. It capsulizes the best of the “Four Greats” in Scripture:
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The Great Commandment – Matthew 22:36-40 – “You shall love the Lord your God … and love your neighbor!” ~ Love God! Love Neighbor!
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The Great Commitment – Matthew 25:37b-40 – “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me!” ~ Love Neighbor! Love God!
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The Great Commission – Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples … baptize … and teach ….” ~ Share Hope!
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The Great Compassion – Two examples of multiple ones found in the gospels.
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Matthew 9:6 – “Jesus saw the crowds and had great compassion.” ~ Share Hope!
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Matthew 14:14 – “Moved by compassion, Jesus healed” … the hungry crowds, lepers, the blind, the woman with a hemorrhage … AND on and on! ~ Share Hope!
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As we talk about and share insights into these three simple, yet power-packed, sentences, we will each begin to understand more and more the depth of how and to what Jesus is calling us as a church and as individuals. We will continue to use and see the last portion of our current vision statement as it has become a statement of our love for our community and for all of God’s children: “Extending God’s Love to All!”
Hope & Peace!
Dr. Deborah,
Senior Pastor