Calvary gathered for a congregational conversation in mid-April on the Strategic Planning Committee’s proposed Vision Statement. You may read the statement below:
Calvary Baptist Church is a Christ-centered community of faith devoted to the worship of the living God. Committed to a deeper understanding of God's word, we aspire to grow personally and communally, to become a sanctuary for all God's people, and to pour out God's love in the local and global community.
A good crowd turned out for the conversation, including most of the committee. The comments were theologically mature, well thought out and heartfelt.
As discussion progressed, the beauty of the statement appeared before us. Calvary is first and foremost a community of disciples of Jesus; we welcome all folks to enter our doors and come into our midst. However, we are people who worship Christ who lives. Some terms within the statement transcend a minute interpretation. Worship involves much more than Sunday morning activities but incorporates what we receive and give to God. The statement also notes the inward/outward journey of faith—as God shines upon us, we go forth reflecting that grace to others.
Perhaps the best point from the conversation is that this statement reflects a goal. We aren’t there as a church just yet. We aspire to be this people in this place worshipping this God.
The congregation will vote on whether or not to accept this statement as its vision on May 23 at our Spring Ministry Conference.
If that vote is positive, the next step in the process will be to work out a Mission Plan. As the Vision Statement defined who we hope to be, the Mission Plan will chart a course for us to get to that destination.
Just finished reading Henry Emerson Fosdick’s The Meaning of Service.
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