Over the next two months, we will be take time exploring the Vision & Values of our local church, as well as those of our larger Free Methodist denomination.

Vision Statement #1: “We embrace all people with the love of Jesus.”

John 13: 34-35 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

40 All the Law and the Prophets Matthew 22: 35-40 35 One of [the Pharisees], an expert in the law, tested [Jesus] with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 24: 9-14 Jesus’ prophetic warning about the “End Times” and how his church is called to respond… to love and boldly share His Gospel until it finds its way to the every corner of the Earth.

Love God & our Neighbor as ourselves and if we don’t share the Gospel: We run the great risk of not having persevering faith, as well as the risk of developing this “coldness of heart”.

Following Jesus was not cold religion. It was deeply relational and loving. “Come and see.” “Come…follow me.” Open invitation for all who would take it. In many ways, His message was: “Spend time with me and the people I love. I love you as you are, but just know that as you continue to walk with me, you will be compelled to be like me.”

Core Values #1 & #2: “Every person is valuable to God.” [Genesis 1: 26-30; John 3:16] “We, therefore; value every person we come into contact with.” [Matthew 25: 21-40; Romans 13:8]

[1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 John 3:18] Core Value #3: “Our non-judgmental environment and loving relationships make it possible for people to better experience God’s grace.” [1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 John 3:18]

Philippians 4:5 (Amplified) “Let all people know and perceive and recognize your gentle spirit  [your graciousness, unselfishness, considerate nature, forbearing spirit, mercy, tolerance, and patience]. The Lord is near.”

Questions to “Embrace”: 1.) Am I “a friend of sinners”, like Jesus? 2.) Is “loving” one of my main descriptors? 3.) Do I know the names of the people here? 4.) Would you change pews to sit with someone who came to church alone?