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Updated:
21 February, 2007
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Mission Statement:
Building a vibrant and open community
which is responsive to God's love in Christ
and committed to serving God and people.
GOAL A: Assist individuals in their Christian formation
Objectives
- Provide and strengthen education through programs such as:
- the Sunday School
- the small group program
- special emphasis weekends
- sunday@seven
- other opportunities as determined
- Foster awareness of spirituality and deepen spiritual life:
- encourage prayer in all its forms
- provide and/or develop appropriate resources
- explore opportunities for spiritual retreat
- develop understanding of and engagement with spiritual disciplines such as fasting, spiritual direction, meditation
- Prepare individuals for service through:
- discerning their gifts and calling
- identifying opportunities for service
- arranging appropriate education and training
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GOAL B: Provide meaningful worship to cater for diverse needs
Objectives
- Assist Ministers with planning and organising worship
- Arrange services with awareness of
- the church year
- community events
- special emphases
- the need for variety
- the diverse needs of the church community
- Support worship for the church community outside of regular Sunday worship
- Explore different forms of worship
- Encourage and provide opportunities for participation and use of talents in worship and arrange training when required
- Support involvement in inter-church services
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GOAL C: Encourage young people to become committed to Christ and active participants in the life of the Church
Objectives
- Support the ministry to Youth (12-18 yrs) by:
- providing support and training for the Youth Worker and other youth leaders
- providing a regular youth group program during term time
- reaching out to youth beyond our church
- arranging regular youth emphasis services and involving youth in general worship
- encouraging Christian formation of youth through activities
- such as Sunday school, bible studies, mentoring and youth camps
- supporting the transition from youth to young adults
- Support the ministry to Young Adults (18-30 yrs) by:
- providing support for the Young Adults leader(s)
- encouraging and supporting young adults through pastoral care and activities such as bible studies, social events, mentoring, internships and involvement in worship including young adults in the planning and delivery of our sunday@seven program
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GOAL D: Engage in Christian outreach
Objectives
- Engage in outreach by giving people the opportunity to share in the Christian experience
- Equip members of the church community so that they may confidently share their faith on a personal level
- Actively support Global interAction and missions
- Intentionally develop contact with the community at a local, Canberra, and national level
- Use opportunities for friendship and outreach through church activities such as Giant Steps Playgroup, Crafty Fingers and Youth Group
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GOAL E: Provide human and financial resources for the alleviation of need locally, nationally and internationally
Objectives
- Strengthen support for Baptist work in the community such as Baptist Community Services
- Identify area/s of local community need such as Stuart Flats and respond appropriately
- Respond to individual requests for assistance within agreed guidelines
- Identify and support specific Australian and overseas aid projects
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GOAL F: Be good stewards of our church resources and plan for the future
Objectives
- Ensure our ministries are effectively resourced through:
- identifying and securing the resources needed (people, property, finance)
- evaluating results
- Develop an asset management plan for the grounds and the buildings
- Engage in long term planning of the church’s resources in relation to our mission and goals
- Ensure continuing maintenance of the property
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GOAL G: Provide a strong Christian voice on social issues locally, nationally and internationally
Objectives
- Identify and prioritise social justice issues of concern to the church community
- Provide education and information resources on social justice issues:
- to the church community
- through the church website
- through information or fact sheets distributed via e-mail to other churches
- Undertake research and advocacy and issue media releases and editorials
- Respond to, and lobby on, government issues/proposals (with other groups if appropriate)
- Work towards social justice outcomes, including through groups such as Journey of Healing, Refugee advocacy and support groups, and Micah Challenge
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GOAL H: Build a culture of care and provide mutual pastoral care and support in the Church community
Objectives
- Identify the needs of the Church community and establish appropriate pastoral care and other support
- Integrate people into the church community, including:
- newcomers
- less mobile members
- people who are marginalised
- Encourage people to care for each other including the recruitment and training of pastoral care volunteers
- Encourage community building and the development of relationships through activities such as:
- small group program
- other church groups
- church camp, Christmas party
- church lunches and social events
- Support people in key life stage transitions, such as:
- marriage
- birth and parenting
- separation/divorce
- career change/development
- retirement
- death/bereavement
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GOAL I: Be committed to the wider church, develop ecumenical relationships and explore inter-faith relationships
Objectives
- Be an active member of the ACT Baptist Association, the Baptist Union of NSW & ACT, the ACT Churches Council and South Canberra Ministers’ Fraternal
- Be involved in church leaders’ consultations and inter-faith activities
- Encourage and participate in ecumenical activities, such as ecumenical study groups and worship services and writing study materials
- Co-operate with local churches through activities such as ‘The Verandah’ at Stuart Flats and children’s and youth work
- Be involved with other churches in social ministries, such as ecumenical housing, refugee work and indigenous reconciliation
- Support the ministry of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture and St. Mark’s Theological Centre
GOAL J: Support families with children in their spiritual growth and participation in the life of the church
Objectives
- Provide a welcoming and child-friendly environment to enable us to minister to families within and beyond our congregation
- Identify and provide resources to assist in developing Christian parenting strategies
- Encourage the spiritual growth of children through activities such as:
- Sunday school
- January Holiday Club
- regular all-age worship services
- school holiday Sunday activities
- Organise activities in which families can fully participate
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