LOVE DEMANDS VISION
A living statement prayerfully adopted in 2009 and reaffirmed every week.
WE, THE PEOPLE OF UNION CHURCH BEREA, seek to live out our discipleship to God as a community inspired by Jesus’ transforming love. As a gathering of those seeking to boldly and creatively embody Christ’s life and ministry, we commit ourselves to work and fellowship that makes the radical and inclusive love of God, the beloved community proclaimed by Jesus, and the continuing inspiration of the Holy Spirit visible and real to all. As one in body with Christ, we commit ourselves to acts of…
UNBOUNDED HOSPITALITY TO BUILD A BELOVED COMMUNITY OF CHRIST
We will boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus by offering the radical hospitality of Christ in all we do and in the fellowship we share. We will seek unity in building a loving community amongst the gifts of differing traditions, opinions, and views. We will listen carefully and prayerfully. We will proclaim God’s forgiveness and grace. We will stand with one another as bearers of Christ’s light in times of trial and rejoicing. As a body of Christ we will actively and intentionally reach beyond the walls that separate us, persuaded that “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth.”
THOUGHTFUL, INSPIRATIONAL, AND INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT
We will boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus by thoughtfully developing the faith, knowledge, and spirit of persons of every age. Rooted in scripture and drawing on spirit and intellect, we commit to learn and teach a spirituality which deepens our sense of closeness to God. We commit to creative teaching and leadership that inspires and equips ourselves, our children, and our community to live out the justice, compassion, love and joy we believe God intends for all.
PASSIONATE WORSHIP
We will boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus with passionate worship that celebrates the transforming love of God. In every setting where we meet we will proclaim God’s inclusive care and prophetic witness, empowering all persons to worship with joy and develop a deeper closeness to God in a ministry of all believers. We will offer our widely varying gifts of scripture, prayer, music, dance, drama, visual art, the spoken word, and the beauty of our actions to inspire those of every generation to follow in God’s way.
RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE
We will boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus with risk-taking mission and service. As disciples of Christ, we will reach out to the world to love, heal, and transform it through the difficult work of justice, reconciliation, and hope. We commit to using our staff, our building, and our selves for servant leadership in our sphere of influence, and we commit to the spiritual and educational support that will make us effective and joyful agents of God’s grace.
EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY AND CARE IN OUR STEWARDSHIP
We will boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus with extravagant generosity and care in the stewardship of the gifts we have been given. We will offer and organize our time, talent, and treasure in loving service and outreach with useful facilities and supported staff and programs, striving always to be agents of God’s inclusive love. With care and diligence we will seek the well-being of our community, of all of our volunteers and staff, and of God’s earth in all that we undertake alone and together.
WOVEN TOGETHER, these commitments testify to our discipleship. We believe that God is both calling and empowering Union Church to keep these commitments for ourselves and for all those who are seeking and serving the love of God.
Adopted September 20, 2009
