The Mission, Vision, and Values of First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn

Our Mission The Mission of First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Values As we fulfill our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, we follow the Biblical model of gathering in, building up, and sending out. Gathering in We joyfully share the good news of God’s love with those around us. We invite all people to experience Christ through the life of the church. We practice genuine Christian hospitality and create a safe and attractive environment where visitors feel welcomed and loved. Building up Worship is at the center of all we do as a community of faith. We provide opportunities for worship that glorify God and connect people to Him in diverse and meaningful ways. We preach and teach the word of God as revealed in the Bible and interpreted through the historic traditions of the Church, our shared experience as a Christian community, and reason guided by the Holy Spirit. We provide opportunities for Christian growth and fellowship for people of all ages. Sending out Richly blessed by God, we proclaim the good news of full salvation through Jesus Christ and work together to restore all people to wholeness and a loving relationship with God. Excellence We pursue excellence in all things because excellence glorifies God and inspires His children. Our Vision It is the vision of First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn to: Come together: We will engage in joyful worship that glorifies God, touches our hearts with His presence, and stimulates the desire to know him, enjoying the traditions of our Methodist heritage and praising God in new and meaningful ways. We will eagerly hear the Biblical truth of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ proclaimed to teach, challenge, and assure the believer, and to reach and comfort the seeker. We will pray in supportive groups and as a community, placing our trust in God and encouraging those who are hurting or in need. Grow together: We will offer a wide variety of Christian education opportunities so that our children, youth, and adults grow strong in their Christian faith and become mature disciples equipped for ministry in the church, the Oak Lawn area, and the world. We will develop small groups as resources for fellowship, accountability, and spiritual growth to maturity. We will celebrate God's blessings through fellowship events that build relationships, strengthen families, and revitalize our Christian community. Serve together: We will be a prophetic voice for justice and compassion for all people as children of God. We will provide hospitality to groups, events, and programs that build mind, body, and spirit, and make the church known to the people of the Oak Lawn area. We will reach out and share our lives and our resources to meet the physical needs of our neighbors and the world, and to encourage all people to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord, savior and friend.