“You guys really need a vision statement.”
That’s what the two pastors were told soon after they began. Or maybe it was a mission statement. They can’t remember which, and they’re still not entirely sure they know the difference anyway. So during their monthly retreat/fast/vision-quest (actually, it was during a break for coffee and those little chocolate donuts) the two pastors tried to capture the vision of what The Potter’s House would ultimately be. Here’s what they came up with.
Our vision is of a Christian community that:
- Transforms lives as it welcomes all,
- Celebrates God’s grace,
- Promotes justice and peace, and
- Shares in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
The vision is to create and grow an open and inclusive community of followers of Jesus Christ. How? Start with a grace-based theology that is grounded in God’s radical and loving engagement with the world in Jesus Christ. Next, create a beautiful and expressive worship gathering that incorporates a variety of elements that have been carefully and thoughtfully drawn from the wide expanse of the historic traditions of the Christian faith. Lastly, engage in active service in our world though acts of compassion, charity and consciousness-raising that aims to bear witness to the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
So the mission of The Potter’s House is to:
- Welcome all people into a faith community,
- Honor every person as a beloved child of God,
- Encourage spiritual development and exercises,
- Equip each person for ministry,
- Labor together for justice, peace, and love.
