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God’s Vision for Bethlehem: A family of God journeying together in faith, touching lives by: Welcoming, Worshiping, Teaching, and Serving.
God’s Mission of Bethlehem: Our mission is to nurture and strengthen our Christian faith to empower us to proclaim the Gospel to each other and the world through our words and actions.
We live out the mission by practicing the marks of discipleship.
Welcoming. . . is being a community of grace, accepting all people in the name of Jesus. We welcome one another as Christ welcomes us (Romans 15:7). Christian hospitality is a central part of our every day life. As we greet and welcome one another, we see the “image of God” in one another and participate in the Great Commandment (Luke 10:27) by loving all people.
As one welcomed by Jesus I will welcome others by:
• Reaching out with the love of Jesus
• Receiving the people God places in my life and welcoming them with God’s grace
• Encouraging one other to form spiritual friendships
• Sharing in “Caring Conversations” with others
Worshiping. . . is essential to our life and faith. Celebrating God is uplifting and life-giving. Our worship tells “The Story” of God’s love and acceptance for all people. Preaching brings hope and healing by relating God’s story to our own unfolding stories. Through worship we receive a new consciousness and vision of God’s new creation. Worship flows from the first part of the Great Commandment, “loving the Lord your God” (Luke 10:27).
As an expression of loving the Lord my God with all my heart and soul, I will worship by:
• Praying daily
• Worshiping each week at Bethlehem
• Gathering with other Christians when away from Bethlehem
• Participating in the “rituals and traditions” of the church
Teaching . . . is the foundation of discipleship – a life-long journey of following Jesus, our master teacher. Every person is a life-long learner, and passing on the faith is the responsibility of all disciples. Faith is formed through personal trusted relationships, most often in the home and God teaches us powerfully as we learn in intergenerational situations. Our learning prepares us for mission, and in our teaching we participate in the Great Commission: “making disciples. . . baptizing and teaching” (Matthew 28:19-20).
As a disciple of Jesus, the Master Teacher, I will teach the faith by:
• Seeking to learn continually from Jesus
• Practicing Bible reading and devotional time each day
• Passing on the faith in my everyday life
• Cultivating intentional relationships in small groups and Bible studies
Serving . . . is a way of life for Christians. It is ministry. It is growing in faith by doing what we say. In serving others we find Jesus in the faces and needs of every human being. Giving is simply another way in which we serve others with resources God has entrusted to us. By sharing in ministry we express “loving our neighbor as our selves” and participate in the Great Commandment (Luke 10:27).
As a follower of Jesus, and with him as my example I will serve by:
• Seeing Jesus in my neighbors
• Discovering and using my gifts, passions and talents in ministry to others
• Serving others both in and beyond the church
• Giving generously and sacrificially of myself and resources
• Practicing “first fruits giving”
• Tithing or growing toward a tithe (giving 10% of my income)
In joyful response to Gods’ grace, together with other disciples and leaders and with the help of God, I will live out God’s vision for mission by practicing these marks of discipleship. Along with other members of Bethlehem, I am committed to Welcoming, Worshiping, Teaching and Serving.
Signature: __________________________ Date: ____________________
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