Connecting People with God’s Grace
At our last council meeting, “Connecting People with God’s Grace” was adopted as our mission statement. We will be using this statement to guide our efforts and ministry at Zion. This statement reflects the work of the Mission Task Force, the Church Council, and, most importantly, what we have said as a congregation through our surveys and conversation. We want to be about the business of connecting and feel God has called us to do so. Connecting is certainly at the heart of the gospel. I understand sin as anything and everything that pulls us apart, disconnects us. The work of God’s grace is to bring us together, connect us. As a congregation, we already have avenues open to us that we want to strengthen i.e. worship, music, Christian education, social outreach, and fellowship. However, we also want to push the boundaries of those ministries. What would that look like?
Here are some of the ideas we are considering. Communication is the key component and a steering group will be established to specifically address this issue. At the present, we are using social media to post sermons and other occasional items of interest, but that’s only the beginning. What if we include Vespers and the music of our choirs? What if we post, every week, a children’s sermon based on the scripture from Sunday School for those who are unable to attend? What is we post a summary of the conversation we have on Sunday morning or Book of Faith? What is we post videos of our social ministry efforts? The possibilities are endless.
Of course, one of the most exciting changes will be the addition of a Director of Youth and Family Ministry. The job description has been reworked and we are actively looking for someone. The major responsibility for this individual will be to help facilitate connections, particularly with young families and children. Building relationships will be the primary focus rather than programs.
Beyond the work of the leadership and the addition of staff, this mission statement is a call to every one of us. How can each of us be a “connector”? How do we reach out to people both within our congregation and outside? Who is someone we haven’t seen for a while and can call? Who is a neighbor or friend we can invite? Who is someone we can share a post with? Making, sustaining, and building connections is gospel work. Let us make it our work.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
