Christ Church

Morningside


 


Mission Goals 2005 - 2010

Congregational
Mission Statement


"Discerning our future

Answering our call"
 

 
 

“We believe in God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our aim is to be an open church, welcoming doubters as well as those committed in faith.
We hope to offer an accepting environment where people may ask questions, support each other, develop their own spirituality and encounter the living God.’’

 (adopted October 2005)

 

“Love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27)

 


Introduction
 

 God has blessed us with a wonderful, vibrant and nurturing church community.  Christ Church has a long and rich history of worship, service and outreach both at Holy Corner and in the wider community.  The purpose of this mission document is to achieve three aims:

  • To celebrate the achievements of our church community in the past
  • To encourage the development of our many current ministries
  • To give us a sense of where God is calling us to serve over the next five years – a road map, if you like

 

In May 2005 the Vestry appointed a small working group to help the congregation of Christ Church in the development of this mission plan.  Though the production of a number of preliminary drafts and with wide consultation we believe that this document truly reflects the wishes and aspirations both of the whole congregation and most importantly our Lord.

 

There is no priority of importance implied by the order of the sections; this was simply how the group worked through each category.

 

 

Section 1

YOUNG CHURCH AND YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

 

“Jesus said, “Let the children come to me; for it is to such as
these that the kingdom of God belongs.”  Mark 10:14

 

Our mission is:

"To continue to grow and nurture the members of our Young Church and Youth Fellowships and to actively seek to involve them in all aspects of the life of our church"

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Providing additional support and training for teachers and volunteers.
  1. Welcoming and reaching out to young families and helping to integrate new families into the congregation.
  1. Helping to make the ministry of Young Church and Youth Fellowship more prominent in the life of the wider congregation.

 

First-year goals:
  1. We will introduce a weekday pre-school praise service for the under 5’s and their carers in conjunction with Morningside United Church.
  1. We will involve the Young Church in our main Sunday service at least once a quarter.
  1. Double the hours of the Youth Ministry worker and make the Youth Fellowship more visible in the life of the congregation.

 

 

Section 2

OUTREACH

 

 “Jesus said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…”  Matthew 28:19

 

Our mission is:

"To encourage, develop and expand our outreach activities so that we can continue to make the love of God known in our local communities."

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Continuing to increase our involvement with Holy Corner Christian Communities, the Diocese, Province and groups of other faith.
  1. Providing the congregation with opportunities to explore the meaning of Christian witness through outreach activities.
  1. Developing our ministry of welcome by making our church more inviting for those: (i) of Christian faith, (ii) whose church attending has lapsed, (iii) of no faith but an enquiring mind, and (iv) those of other faiths wishing to understand Christianity.

 

First-year goals:
  1. We will appoint to a stipendiary position a person to lead this ministry.
  1. We will recruit a team from people from within the congregation who will assist with the implementation of our ministry of welcome.

 

 

Section 3
COMMUNICATION

“Therefore, encourage one another…”   Thessalonians 5:11

 

Our mission is:

To communicate effectively with each other and our wider communities.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. The continued development of our church website.
  1. The ongoing production of leaflets and resources which will help to explain the range of ministries at Christ Church.
  1. Encouraging greater use of the magazine, including contributions from groups within the church about their activities, more general articles by members, and more articles about individual members.
  1. Developing attractive displays for the notice board, with regular significant changes of content, to attract attention.
  1. Communicating more effectively to those who do not attend our regular services.

 

First-year goals:
  1. We will refine the logo for Christ Church, and agree on standard usage of church letterheads.
  1. We will plan one service a year where all members of the congregation are encouraged to wear a clearly readable name badge.
  1. For people undertaking a welcoming role, at services, Open Church, etc. we will provide them with a clearly readable name/role badge.
  1. We will identify and, if necessary, provide training for at least one additional volunteer to assist in maintaining and developing the website.
  1. We will produce a leaflet, which includes events for the notice board, entitled ‘this week at Christ Church’ which highlights ministries at Christ Church.
  1. We will make sufficient presentation screens available to enable groups to display information about their activities.
  1. We will update and ensure the picture board is in an appropriate position, so that people with formal roles in the church can easily be identified by existing members and newcomers alike.

 

 

Section 4

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION

 

“…the aim of instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience,
and a sincere faith.”  I Timothy 1:5

 

Our mission is:

To provide opportunities for all members of Christ Church, and those of other faiths and none, to grow in the knowledge and love of God.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Making accessible the wisdom of the Christian and other faith traditions through a regular programme of educational events and courses.
  1. Greater utilisation of available resources and physical facilities across Holy Corner, the Diocese and the wider Christian Communities in order to deliver educational ministries.

 

First-year goals:
  1. We will appoint to a stipendiary position a new member of the Ministry Support Team who will lead and facilitate Christian education and spiritual formation at Christ Church.
  1. We will publicise the “Adventure in Faith” course run by the Diocese, and any other relevant activities run by organisations outside of Christ Church.
  1. Develop a men’s group.
  1. On several occasions each year we will have an invited speaker at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service, beginning in 2006.

 


Section 5
 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

 

“Where two or three are gathered together in my name
I will be there in the midst of them.”  Matthew 18:20

 

Our mission is:

To provide a range of social activities that is inclusive of all members, and to build a sense of community at Christ Church.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Continuing to provide a range of social activities that is inclusive of all members of the congregation.
  1. Continuing to host activities that are fun and provide company for members of the congregation, facilitate friendships and a sense of community across the generations.

 

First-year goals:

1.      We will advertise an outline programme of activities, with a rolling 12 month calendar of events, some solely Christ Church, and perhaps some shared with other Holy Corner churches.

 

Section 6

OUR SACRED SPACE

(THE CHURCH, HALL, CHURCH CENTRE AND GROUNDS)

 

“Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness.” I Chronicles 16:29

 

Our mission is:

To provide an inspiring, creative and accessible environment for worship, education and outreach and as a place of welcome for people to explore spirituality.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Developing a plan to improve our church lighting, sound system, possible repair of the chancel murals, nave paintwork and the repair of the flooring and tiles.
  1. Developing the church foyer area as a more welcoming entrance.
  1. By being sensitive to the historic nature of the church building and in particular its status as a listed building.
  1. Reviewing the use of the Church Centre, and developing a plan for its use that is in accord with our overall mission.

 

First-year goals:
  1. We will form a working party of volunteers to begin to address the issues outlined in point i/. above.
  1. We will undertake a survey of what is required to upgrade the Church Hall and amenities (including the kitchen and toilets), to make them a secure, safe and welcoming environment for all users.
  1. We will review access and disability issues and take action to meet current legislation and the needs of all who may wish to enter our buildings.
  1. We will task the Church Centre Management Committee to analyse current use, and present a report to Vestry on how best to utilise the space in line with our mission.
 

 

Section 7

WORSHIP

 

“…and God’s worshippers must worship God in spirit and truth”  John 4:24

 

Our mission is:

To provide a wide variety of inclusive and inspiring worship that is both rooted in our Episcopal faith tradition and accessible to those exploring faith in the contemporary world.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. To continue to provide inspiring worship.
  1. Building on our strong musical tradition.
  1. Continuing the development of, and open dialogue with, the Congregational Worship Committee.
  1. Providing opportunities for individual members of the congregation to be actively involved in the worshipping life of the church.
  1. Continuing to provide sermons that are challenging and relevant, and are available in written format and accessible from the web.
  1. Enabling time for personal prayer and reflection though the use of appropriate periods of silence in our services.
  1. Continuing to provide the following services: 8am and 10 am Sunday Morning; 6.00p.m. Sunday Evening Service; 8am weekday and 11am Thursday Communion Services.

 

First-year goals:

1.      We will appoint a permanent Director of Music and an Assistant Director of Music.

2.      We will develop ways to facilitate more user friendly worship i.e. fewer books and pieces of paper, taking account of the individual needs of members of the congregation for accessible materials.

 

 

Section 8

PASTORAL CARE

 

“What you do for the least of my brothers and sisters you do for me.”  Matthew 25:40

 

Our mission is:

To provide continuing pastoral care for all, especially in times of need.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Continuing to develop our ministry relating to our seniors (Napier Club, home communion etc.)
  1. Celebrating and encouraging effective congregational pastoral care.
  1. Providing appropriate support to carers, pastoral visitors, area visitors and the home communion team.
  1. Developing more small groups within the church, to create a supportive environment where people can share with each other and explore their faith.
  1. To help foster the understanding and practice that pastoral care is not just provided by the clergy but is a ministry of the entire congregation.

 

First-year goals:

  1. We will continue to develop a programme of support for, and developing the ministry of pastoral visitors, area visitors and the home communion team.
  1. We will try to identify and develop support systems for those caring for vulnerable members of their family.
  1. We will hold a joint All Souls memorial service (with MUC) for members of our churches who have been bereaved, and also for those who do not regularly attend a church.

 

 

Section 9
LAY MINISTRY

“To equip the saints for ministry.”  Ephesians 4:12

 

Our mission is:

To encourage all members of Christ Church to fulfil their call to their own ministry.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:

1.      Developing support networks for all of our church volunteers.

2.      Encouraging and recognising people’s gifts and talents.

3.      Increasing the numbers involved in volunteer ministries within the church.

4.      Emphasising and celebrating ministries beyond the Church.

  

First-year goals:

1.      We will undertake a service at Harvest 2005 that will be a celebration of congregational ministries within the Church, by October 2005.

2.      We will undertake a service at Epiphany 2006 that will be a celebration of congregational ministries beyond the Church.

3.      Plan for a Stewardship Campaign, planning and any relevant training to be completed Easter of 2006.

 

 

Section 10

PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRIES

 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to preach good news to the poor…
proclaim freedom for prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed.”
Luke 4:18&19

 

Our mission is:

To demonstrate visibly our Christian action for peace and social justice for all people across the world.

 

5 year goals:

Over the next 5 years we will work towards our mission by:
  1. Continuing to work with the Eric Liddell Centre and the other churches and institutions of Holy Corner to foster greater understanding and participation in these ministries.
  1. Continuing to host the One World Shop.
  1. Providing educational opportunities to understand the issues underlying peace and social justice, and how we can individually make a difference.
  1. Recycling more of our waste and use environmentally sustainable products at Church.
  1. Fostering awareness of ecological issues and how members of the congregation can lead more sustainable lives.

 

First-year goals:
  1. We will appoint new leadership to head up our peace and social justice ministries.
  1. We will investigate becoming an eco-congregation (this is a multi-faith national movement).
  1. We will increase our visibility of existing peace and social justice ministries, such as St, Catherine’s Convent, Christian Aid, Congregational Overseas Giving Committee, etc.
  1. We will invite a speaker from the Eric Liddell Centre to talk at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service.
 

Conclusion

How do we do this?

This is a lot of work!  Aren’t all of these goals being too ambitious?  How will we get all of this done?

 

Good questions!

The simple answer is that we will fulfil our God-given-mission ‘in the strength and by the power of God.’ 

 

This mission document is intended to give inspiration, encouragement and a sense of where and how God is calling us to serve at this particular time and in this particular place.  Many of the ministries mentioned are already taking place but were included because they need both to be celebrated and to be supported – so in many instances we are not re-inventing the wheel! 

 

These mission priorities are an invitation; an invitation to take the next step; an invitation to fulfil our calling and potential, both as a church congregation and as individuals.

 

So, what’s next?

The vestry will have the on-going task to encourage and empower the committees and mission groups of Christ Church to get on with their particular mission.  They will also have the role of monitoring our progress towards the fulfilment of these goals.

 

All of us will be challenged and encouraged to ‘read, mark, learn and inwardly digest’ these mission priorities and to prayerfully ask ourselves two questions:
  • If I am already involved in a particular ministry, is this ministry fulfilling our stated mission goals?
  • Am I being called to a new ministry?  This might mean taking on something new or changing from one ministry to another.

 

As was said right a the beginning, the purpose of this mission document is to achieve three aims:

  • To celebrate the achievements of our church community in the past
  • To encourage the development of our many current ministries
  • To give us a sense of where God is calling us to serve over the next five years

 

 

“For it is God who works in you to will and act according to God’s good purpose.”  Philippians 2:13

 

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