Purpose-Driven^® Presbyterians

How do you make a good church even better?  Answer: re-sharpen its focus on Christ and his purposes for his church.  This is what we set out to do in early 2005 as we began a 40 Days of Purpose campaign.  It succeeded beyond our greatest expectations!  And it’s not over!  We now continue to adapt and develop the Purpose-Driven^® model for our life and work together as we worship and serve Christ in our community and our world. 

But, did you know that the Presbyterian Church USA already has a statement of purposes?  It’s right there in the first paragraphs of the denomination’s Book of Order.  It’s called “The Great Ends of the Church.”  Here’s what it says:  

The great ends of the church are the proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind; the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God; the maintenance of divine worship; the preservation of the truth; the promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world. (G-1.0200) 

These same Biblical purposes are succinctly stated in the five purposes given in the recent book “The Purpose-Driven Life” by Rev. Rick Warren.  Look at how those five single words relate to the constitutional six Great Ends giving us another simple way to talk about the work of Christ’s church and providing a framework for our growth in the work and worship of Christ:

Foundational Courses

Worship – is, of course, at the heart of our relationship with God.  It is often the first (but not the only) contact that newcomers have with the body of Christ gathered as this congregation.  But there is much more to be gained as a person enters the journey of faith with Christ’s people here.  The first step is commitment to be a part of the body…

Fellowship 101 – is the discovery of church membership.  You were formed for God’s family.  This is where you really get connected as you discover who we are and why we are here, how we are to be growing in Christ and changing our world, and what it means to be a committed Christian in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and serving God as a member of the church.

Discipleship 201 – is the beginning step in discovering the life of discipleship to which Christ calls us. You were created to be like Christ, “…to grow up in every way into Christ” (Eph. 4:15).  Here is the place to start and then maintain the basic habits of life and faith that will carry you into a full life of spiritual maturity.

Ministry 301 – is the discovery of the work Christ has for you.  You were shaped for service.  So discover your SHAPE as we develop this core course in 2006.  You will truly begin to discover deeper faith as you step up to the challenges of doing God’s work in the power of the Spirit.

Mission 401 – is the discovery of your gifts to do God’s work in the world.  You were made for a mission.  Many of our members have, or are already participating in mission opportunities as near as the local food closet and as far away as Rwanda, Kenya, and southeast Asia.  As we bring this core course online in 2006-07 you will have the opportunity to see what gifts God gives you and ways in which you can now use them to God’s glory.

Here is how we grow in Christ – as we worship him, as we grow in fellowship with one another and become his disciples, and as we do his work in ministry and mission.  We invite you to join us on this exciting and life-changing journey of discovery!