What makes for a good vision statement? What should one include or leave out? One way to answer those questions is to look at examples. LEADERSHIP gathered statements of vision from various congregations across the nation.
Reach unchurched people in the Inland Empire
Help them grow in Christ
So we can together serve the Lord in ministry
– Community Baptist Church
Rancho Cucamonga, California
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To God’s glory, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to become a healing community that intentionally does disciplemaking and evangelism while being committed to changing the facility to accommodate growth and planting a sister church.
– Wheaton Evangelical Free Church
Wheaton, Illinois
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As a church, we are to continue a strong pulpit ministry, teaching the Scriptures and the lordship of Christ, develop discipleship and stewardship among us, which must entail the devoting of our time, talents, and treasures to the service of God and others.
– The First Congregational Church (UCC)
Hamilton, Massachusetts
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To turn irreligious people into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
– Willow Creek Community Church
South Barrington, Illinois
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We are to glorify God
by responding to the Lord Jesus Christ through
EXALTING him as Creator, Savior, and Lord
EXEMPLIFYING him and the values of his kingdom
EDIFYING his church
EVANGELIZING his world
ENCOMPASSING the past
ENRICHING the culture.
– Chapel Hill Bible Church
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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First Baptist Church lives to glorify Christ by making disciples who are growing in relationship with God in worship, then with the church in fellowship, and with the world in witness.
– First Baptist Church
Wheaton, Illinois
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To provide a non-judgmental, relevant atmosphere; to introduce people to a personal, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ; to encourage personal growth through teaching, caring, and sharing.
– South Coast Community Church
Irvine, California
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Our overall purpose is to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ by obeying his command to make disciples of all nations. Specifically, our vision is to make Dry Creek Bible Church an equipping center which helps individuals become Christ-like in their lives and competent in Christian service so that together we might reach for Christ the non-believers in the Dry Creek community, in our Gallatin Valley neighborhoods, in our state and nation, and in the world.
– Dry Creek Bible Church
Belgrade, Montana
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The Belmont Church exists to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, rejoicing in him, as we bring believers to maturity, draw people to Jesus, equip them to serve, and become a reconciling force in the body of Christ. Our cell-based church is to be a place where every member:
(a) is cared for and grows to maturity
(b) is equipped to serve and finds his/her place of service
(c) is praying for and seeking the lost, and
(d) is under authority and walking in authority.
– Belmont Church
Nashville, Tennessee
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We believe God’s vision for us is to be a contemporary church, believer based, seeker sensitive, creatively and consistently evangelizing, encouraging, establishing and equipping people in the Word and the Spirit to worship and witness. We are called to reach out intentionally, creatively, boldly and lovingly to the unconverted and unchurched. We are called to be a church of faith, hope, love, forgiveness, and acceptance, bringing people into Christian maturity.
– Lake City Church
Madison, Wisconsin
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To be a haven for worship and prayer;
To provide opportunities for instruction and fellowship;
To call all people to a life devoted to Jesus Christ.
– Creekside Free Methodist Church
Winfield, Illinois
Copyright (c) 1994 Christianity Today, Inc./LEADERSHIP Journal
Copyright © 1994 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.