MISSION, MOTTO AND VISION OF 
OAK RIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

MISSION
We are called to make followers of Jesus Christ.

MOTTO
Begin, Belong, Become

VISION
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church exists to make followers of Jesus Christ through inspiring worship, Christ-like hospitality, vibrant children, youth and adult ministries, nurturing Christian education, and servant outreach in local, national, and global communities.

CORE VALUES

BIBLE: 
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and life’s instruction book for daily living. We affirm our desire to prayerfully seek God’s guidance and wisdom through the teaching, study and application of the Holy Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16)

GRACE: 
We believe that Grace is a gift of God and it is received through our faith, not our works. Grace is manifested in our worship, fellowship, spiritual gifts, relationships, and our daily living. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

PRAYER:
We celebrate that prayer is a gift from God, enabling us to communicate with our Heavenly Parent. We believe prayer is both a powerful opportunity and a joyous responsibility through which we are transformed and our world is changed. (1Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16)

WORSHIP: 
We believe that God-inspired worship is essential for our spiritual maturity and unity in the Christian faith and life. (Hebrews 10:25)

ETERNAL LIFE:
We affirm that the gift of eternal, resurrection life is given to all who trust and believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only and holy Son, our Lord and Savior. (John 3:15-17)

EXCELLENCE AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS:
We desire to be a church of excellence, giving our very best to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In accordance with this excellence is the call to be a congregation of high expectations. We affirm that in all areas of worship and service, we should do so with commitment and sacrifice in obedience to God. 
(Luke 10:27; Philippians 3:12-14; Philippians 2:12-13)

STEWARDSHIP: 
We affirm both the joyous opportunity and essential responsibility of Christian stewardship expressed through prayers, presence, gifts and service. We further believe that we grow in this stewardship as we are continually educated and as our knowledge becomes activated. 
(1Corinthians 12; Romans 12; Ephesians 4; John 21:15-17, 2Corinthians 9:6-7)

MISSION OUTREACH:
We are committed to serve Christ locally, nationally and internationally through missions using our time, talent and resources. We believe our outreach should demonstrate the love of Jesus across the street and across the seas. (Psalm 72:12-14) 

RELATIONAL EVANGELISM:
We believe that our faith should be evident in every aspect of our lives and that we should always share the joy of Christ with others. We pledge to connect with the unchurched and the unsaved by planting seeds of faith which will, in God’s time, produce new disciples of Jesus Christ. 
(1 Corinthians 9:22; 1 Peter 3:15; 2Corinthians 5:20)

HOSPITALITY: 
We believe in practicing Christian hospitality by welcoming all people in Jesus’ name and providing them a place to begin, belong, and become followers of Jesus Christ. 
(Hebrews 13:2; Romans12:13; 3John 1:8)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:
We believe in teaching the lessons and guiding principles of the Bible to God's people of all ages. We will seek new and innovative ways to apply biblical teachings to every day life.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 7:24-27)

SMALL GROUPS: 
We believe in building strong bonds of Christian friendship and caring relationships within our church family through small group ministries. (Acts 2:44-47)

MINISTRY OF THE LAITY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: 
We affirm that all Christians are ministers, each gifted in special and unique ways to serve. We believe that in order for our congregation to grow spiritually and numerically leaders must be raised, trained, and encouraged. We further affirm that our pastors’ and staff’s primary roles are to enable, instruct, inspire and encourage the laity of the congregation so that they may carry out ministry in Jesus’ name. 
(Exodus 18; Ephesians 4; Acts 6).

PEACEMAKING: 
We believe that Christian Peacemaking enables and empowers us to deal with conflict in a positive and redeeming way that promotes reconciliation. (Matthew 5:9)