About Living Word : Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission
Alive in Jesus, we are learning, living, and sharing God's living Word.
Learning - We continually "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" through the study of God's living Word.
Living - We live for Jesus because "he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and rose again."
Sharing - We proclaim the living Word to our community and to the world, as Jesus tells us, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."
Our Vision
Vision Preamble
Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Matthew 22:37-39)
...And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15)
Inspired by the Scriptures and directed by our Mission Statement, our Vision is one of Christian outreach to the community and the world.
Our church -- its members, facilities, and ministries -- is dedicated to the realization of this vision as follows:
- We are in fellowship in our Christian beliefs, which are Bible based.
- Our outreach is direct, hospitable, loving and open to all.
- Our outreach is accomplished through our Church Ministries and the Ministries of our daily lives.
- Our church is centrally located in the community it serves, offering easy access and ample room.
- Our facilities and grounds are designed and sized to support the outreach activities of our Ministries, which are detailed below.
Elder Ministry Vision
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Elders Ministry of Living Word encourages the use of God's Word and sacraments to strengthen each member's faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel will then permeate the life of our congregation. This inspires a congregational attitude of "this is my church, my church family, and my responsibility".
We will fulfill our Vision by:
- Overseeing the congregation's ministry teams.
- Assisting the pastoral staff with their on-going professional, spiritual, and family needs.
- Making sure congregational decisions are made by consensus.
- Ensuring we have a strong shepherding program to watch over the on-going spiritual needs of the congregation including follow up on member's extended absences from partaking of the means of grace.
- Ensuring that other programs such as a Deaconess program, shut-in ministry, and various counseling programs are organized and leveraged for spiritual growth.
Worship Ministry Vision
In view of God's mercy, ... offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)
The Worship Ministry of Living Word is faithful to God's Word. It is dedicated primarily to sharing the truths of salvation with fellow believers and with those who do not yet know of their need for Jesus. The intent of our worship is to make the message of the Bible accessible to everyone -- body, mind, and soul -- reaching out to and welcoming as many people as possible. This ministry shapes a lifestyle that encourages believers to be living sacrifices to God and a blessing to others. It does so when the Holy Spirit works through the Word and sacraments (Holy Communion and baptism) connecting them to our daily lives.
We will fulfill our Vision by:
- Providing opportunities for involvement in worship for all individuals within the congregation.
- Offering a variety of worship styles with a consistent Biblical message in a friendly, inviting atmosphere.
- Building a foundation for future growth by nurturing our youth.
- Being willing to make use of innovations that allow us to learn, live, and share God's Word.
Stewardship Ministry Vision
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many… in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:14-26)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
The Stewardship Ministry of Living Word will, in coordination with the other Ministries, provide the needs of the church -- present and future -- spiritual and temporal.
We will fulfill our Vision by:
- Promoting the sharing of members' time, talents, and treasures in a God-pleasing manner.
- Providing service opportunities for all ages, individuals and families - potential and established members alike.
- Considering the unique talents, interests, circumstances and spiritual maturity of each individual.
- Encouraging, training, equipping and facilitating members to fulfill our Mission at Living Word and in their personal lives.
- Supporting home and world missions.
- Providing management and accountability regarding Living Word's resources and obligations, and keeping all members regularly informed about them.
Evangelism Ministry Vision
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Evangelism Ministry of Living word reaches out with a zealous effort to the community, in coordination with the other Ministries, using the tools of Learning, Living, and Sharing; that all may experience Jesus Christ's sacrificial love and be saved.
We will fulfill our Vision by:
- Advertising.
- Canvassing the community.
- Timely follow up of prospects.
- Hosting outreach events, including youth activities.
- Providing outreach training for corporate and individual evangelism.
- Maintaining Records.
Education Ministry Vision
We continually "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" through the study of God's living Word. (2 Peter 3:18)
The Education Ministry at Living Word will provide a variety of opportunities for all people to grow in God's Word, to learn academically in a Christian environment and to apply Christian principles to daily living.
We will fulfill our Vision by:
- Offering spiritual training and education to Living Word members and the local community.
- Providing the opportunity for the children of Living Word to attend Lutheran (WELS) school from pre-school through college.
- Offering Sunday school, youth Bible study, adult Bible classes and home Bible study.
- Providing children's outreach opportunities.
- Offering mentoring programs that will prepare our members and the local community for life application of God's living Word.
Fellowship Ministry Vision
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Phil. 2:1-2)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The Fellowship Ministry at Living Word will strengthen the bond of friendship and Christian love among the members of the congregation and also between members and the community, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of God's Word.
We will fulfill our vision by:
- Organizing, promoting, and arranging events, activities, and services for individuals and large or small groups.
- Helping to assimilate new members into the life of the congregation.
