The Visioning Process

Focusing our Ministry

Now that we have prayed, prepared, assessed, investigated, discussed, listened, evaluated and discovered more about God's call to Peace UMC, we are moving into the next phase leading to implementation of a vision. It has been an enlightening journey. 

PREPARING

For several months we worked together as elected leaders and members of Peace United Methodist Church to listen afresh to God, discern God's leading, and clarify the future of this church.  We desire our church to be healthy and vibrant, growing in discipleship, missional and outward-focused so as to impact the communities around with the good news of Christ. 

This visioning process has been based on four assumptions:

     *God is already at work... has been and always will be.

     *Our call is not to invent but to discover what God is already doing.

     *God's call to the church is to align itself to God's purposes.

     *Alignment with God requires absolute surrender.

ASSESSING 

This began with Summit I, held on January 10, 2009, exploring Where have we been? 

*We discussed the Church's Biblical Purpose as understood through study of the Scriptures.

*Identified the significant people, events, circumstances and chapters in the history of this church.  A giant Journey Wall was created  showing the timeline of this history.

*We looked at the lessons learned in each chapter of the life of the church. 

*From this point we identified the actual values (both positive and negative) that were reflected in the behaviors, actions, ministries and life of the church. 

*We reflected on what in the church history has caused God to rejoice and to weep.

*We explored what it means to follow the Kingdom Path, putting trust in the person of Jesus Christ, and surrendering those things in our lives that have become obstacles or more important than submitting to God.   

For those people not able to participate in Summit I, Pulse groups were conducted to give as many people the opportunity to participate in this important visioning process. 

DISCOVERING leading to IMPLEMENTING

During Summit II we explored Where are we going? and What are our strategic values?

Members and leaders of the various communities around the church were invited to be part of this discussion to further help us understand the needs, concerns, and ways that Peace UMC can be in ministry in and with the larger community around it.     

The question for Summit III  was,  How will we get there? 

During this Summit we identified strategic initiatives, ministries and structures to move us in God's direction.  

 

Prayerfully Engaging And Connecting Everyone

 

Peace United Methodist Church reflects the light and love of Christ to all, offering compassion, community, acceptance, and hope. We promote wholeness and active service by connecting individuals and families with God and each other through small groups, teaching, worship, and needs-based ministries.

Core Values:

Connection, Love, Discipleship, Compassion, Inclusion, Servanthood, and Stewardship.