MISSION STATEMENT

A "Mission Statement" is the basic, bottom-line purpose of the church. It is what keeps the leaders and various ministry teams in alignment. The more diverse the ministries of the church are, the more important the mission statement. It should be easily memorized and general in nature.

Our
Mission,
as the
Metropolitan Community Church
of Greater St. Louis,
is to:
Manifest,
Communicate &
Celebrate
God's
Surpassing
Love

Our Mission Statement is saying that our basic purpose for existing as a church is to live out, share and find joy in the Good News of the love of God. For us, this love is found through Jesus Christ and can overcome anything. It is a love that is victorious and intended for all people. Please note that also, on a visual level, this statement suggests the shape of the cross! That makes for a wonderful reminder that, before all else, we are Christians!
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VISION STATEMENT

A "Vision Statement" is the narrow mission of the church.

Our Vision at MCC St. Louis is:
CHANGED LIVES!
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VALUES STATEMENT

A "Values Statement" sets the basic beliefs and boundaries of opportunity in which individuals and groups within the congregation can live out the mission and vision statements. It provides the subtle boundaries that approve or discourage certain attitudes and behaviors.

As the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis, we highly value the following:

A COMMITMENT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST: We are committed to collaborative networks of autonomous people and groups using their spiritual gifts for the common good of the human race, which we see as "the body of Christ."

A COMMITMENT TO THE VALUE OF EVERY PERSON: We are committed to loving all people just as they are because this is what God does and demands of us. We value the dialogue and friendship between people of differing perspectives. Further, we endeavor to create a congregation reflective of the diversity in our local community and to celebrate the diversity of the global community.

A COMMITMENT TO PRAYER AND MEDITATION: The ministries and activities of this church will be characterized by a reliance on prayer/mediation in their conception, planning and execution.

A COMMITMENT TO MINISTRY BY ALL BELIEVERS: Whenever possible, the ministries of this church will be carried out by non-ordained servants. This will be accomplished through training opportunities and through practices that encourage lay initiative, leadership, responsibility, and authority in various ministries of the church. Our pastors' role and our lay leaders' role is to equip lay ministers for ministry in the church and in the community rather than to do primarily one-on-one ministry themselves.

A COMMITMENT TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN AND AMONG US: We are committed to spiritual creativity, innovation and change. We are open to continual evaluation of our mission because we are more concerned with effectiveness in ministry than with adherence to tradition, rules or efficiency.

A COMMITMENT TO CREATING POSITIVE SOLUTIONS: We are committed to being people who respond to challenges and conflicts in a positive and constructive manner. Therefore, when presented with a problem, a mistake or a challenge, we will focus on creating solutions rather than focusing on who is to blame so that we might ever continue to move forward in accomplishing our shared mission and vision.

A COMMITMENT TO OPEN COMMUNICATION AND ACCESS OF INFORMATION: We are committed to practicing open, honest, healthy and respectful communication between individuals and groups within the church. We believe that practicing "carefrontation" (that is, being forthright and up-front with only those parties involved) about any and all issues is the best way to proceed when interpersonal conflicts arise. We also believe that all members and friends of our church should have access to all public information regarding our ministry, and our leadership will always openly address any questions or concerns as long as doing so does not violate personal or pastoral confidentiality.

A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE: We seek to maintain a high standard of striving for excellence in all of our ministries. We believe that this will be achieved when every person is exercising his/her God-given spiritual gifts to the best of his/her ability.

A COMMITMENT TO RELEVANT, BIBLICAL TEACHING AND PREACHING: We are committed to equipping Christians, through God's Word, to follow Christ in every aspect of their lives.

A COMMITMENT TO PROMOTE HEALING AND INDIVIDUAL WHOLENESS: We are committed to being a church where people can receive or be guided toward physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing. Therefore, we will provide educational opportunities, worship and small groups to assist people in obtaining healing into individual wholeness through our church community.

A COMMITMENT TO BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS THROUGH THE GIVING OF TIME, TALENT AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES: The church is nothing more, less or other than the presence of Christ through people. Therefore, our ministry is only effective as each person gives generously and selflessly a portion of their time, talent and financial resources so that the ministry of our church is effective in making a real difference in people's lives. We believe in God's abundance and together endeavor to grow into giving at least a tithe or 10% of our time, talent and financial resources in support of the life-giving ministry ofour church.

A COMMITMENT TO GROWTH: We believe that life is meant to be shared, and we will endeavor always to share Christ with other people. Therefore, we will pursue attitudes, knowledge and activities that unobtrusively encourage numerical growth without compromising in any way our integrity and our commitment to following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

A COMMITMENT TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN LOVING RELATIONSHIPS OF GOODWILL BETWEEN PEOPLE: We are committed to be people who seek in all things to know love in our relationships. As Christians, we make decisions based on what is good for the whole of the church and community rather than what is only good for ourselves as individuals. When we experience broken relationships with others, we are committed to seeking reconciliation and asking for forgiveness when we have done harm to another.

A COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL AWARENESS AND JUSTICE FOR ALL PEOPLE: We recognize that, as Christians, we have a responsibility to look beyond our own needs and realities to the needs and realities of other people around the world We are committed to pray for, always, and to offer support/advocacy whenever possible to those who are marginalized or oppressed in any place or way. We also recognize our responsibility to help care for the earth and our environment so that all living things can flourish in health as God intends.
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