• Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and Head of the Church. We are a Christ-centered community of faith.
• God wants a personal relationship with each of us. Although loved and created in God’s image we all fall short of living as God intended. Yet, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our relationship with god is restored! This is a gift to be received by faith.
• We are all called to be Christ’s disciples. As we come to know God through Jesus Christ we are also to model our lives after him, showing his love, obeying his word.
• God speaks to us through Scripture. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures are a “roadmap” for life, showing us how to know God and guiding our lives with purpose.

Last February the Session determined the need for a clear vision for St. Peter’s that would stir a spiritual vitality. While the church is involved in a number of meaningful and important mission and ministry programs, the need for a clear focus was determined so that all our work could be coordinated and clearly evaluated.

The process proposed was:
♦ Begin with a realistic assessment
♦ Review the Scriptures and Confessions of the Church
♦ Listen for the Holy Spirit
♦ Name a Compelling Vision
♦ Plan an Achievable Path

In March the Session has reviewed the past 50 years of our church’s history, noting the significant events and programs that have blessed us and challenged us.

In April the Session reflected on the different axes where spiritual encounters take place:



After noting examples of each of the four types of encounters in the Scriptures, each elder was then asked to name and share three examples of when they encountered the Risen Christ.

In May the Session reviewed four passages from Paul’s epistles to discover “what do the scriptures say the church is to be?” and “what do the scriptures say the church is to do?”

In June the Session continued with its Bible Study seeking to name concrete examples of how such scriptures might take shape and form.

In July the Session, utilizing its work to date, began to draft a compelling vision statement.

In September members of the Session attended a Presbytery Conference entitled “The Acts 16:5 Initiative”. This conference is for churches that want to be “strengthened in faith and grow in numbers”. The conference suggested that a “life changing transformational ministry will have a clear vision for ministry, one that will be:

Reflectively practiced
Principle Patterned
Attentive to times the church is “Gathered” and times “Scattered”
Need Responsive
Disciple Directed
Biblically Based
Spirit Driven

From this experience a draft vision statement was written.

In October, November and December the Session has asked each Session committee to examine the draft vision statement and give feedback, specifically how such a statement might impact our mission and our ministry.

In January, the Session will be meeting to finalize the vision statement with the hope of presenting the statement at the February Congregational Meeting.

St. Peter’s is a place to experience a difference and to make a difference as we follow Jesus Christ.

A place to worship...

We are a church that is centered on Jesus Christ. Within our worshipping fellowship we gather and strive for each person to express their love for God as they grow in their knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ, and to know Christ’s love for them. This relationship defines who we are and the choices we make.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6

A place to grow...

We are a growing church — growing in our knowledge of God and our love for each other. Through Bible Study, prayer, and fellowship we seek to help individuals and families grow in faith. Because we are diverse, yet one in Christ, we welcome new people into our fellowship and seek to help them find their place.

"They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers... praising God and having the good will of all the people. And day by day, the Lord added to their number those that were being saved." Acts 2:42-47

A place to serve...

We are a mission church! In baptism each of us is called to faithful discipleship and endowed with talents and skills for mission and ministry. The church advances when the membership decides, acts and leads. Sharing God’s love with the world is why the church exists. Because we believe every member is a minister, the mission is done by all.

Jesus said, "As you did it to the least of these, you did it to me." Matt 25:40

St. Peter's purpose is "To make a difference in the world as we follow Jesus Christ."

Our values are:

• Welcoming in Jesus' name... safe, inclusive, hospitable, helpful, loving
  
  
• Nurturing of each person's relationship with God... growing, becoming, encouraging, maturing, discipling
  
  
• Challenging each person to live empowered by the Holy Spirit... serving, forming, inspiring, participating, providing opportunities