The Vision Statement for FPCRO (approved 11.09)
Created in the image of God, following the model of Jesus, the Christ, and listening to and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. Responding to this grace:
Worship/Music:
We envision a community that reflects our Reformed heritage, glorifying and celebrating God by:
- Experiencing and participating faithfully in the four movements of worship - Gathering around God’s Word, Proclaiming God’s Word, Responding to God’s Word, and Carrying God’s Word into God’s world,
- Humbly offering the best we have1 and all we are, to the Triune God who makes us, redeems us, and sustains us through God’s unconditional grace2,
- Proclaiming the Word in creative ways, each communicating the manifold mysteries of God,
- Rejoicing that Worship connects us to the life of the church, including Christian Education, Mission, and Fellowship
Christian Education/Nurture:
We envision a community of faith where people of all ages and backgrounds choose to pursue spiritual growth by:
- Discovering God’s love for us
- Seeking to understand the biblical story as our story3
- Appreciating what is distinctive about our Presbyterian theology and heritage
- Realizing that education connects us to the life of the church including Worship, Mission, and Fellowship
Mission/Outreach:
We envision transforming relationships as the body of Christ worldwide by:
- Serving and caring for those in need in our congregation, community, and world, recognizing that we see God’s presence as we work in the world4
- Embracing our responsibility as stewards to care for and protect all of God’s creation.
- Growing in our understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ
- Engaging in Mission/Outreach that connects us to the life of the church, including Worship, Christian Education and Fellowship
Fellowship/Christian Community:
We envision an authentic inclusive Christian community of deep and lasting connections by:
- Creating a warm and welcoming environment
- Participating in mutual hospitality
- Engaging in caring and healing relationships
- Experiencing fellowship which connects us to the life of the church, including Worship, Christian Education, and Mission.
1. Time, talents and money
2. Using God’s gifts of material goods, personal abilities and time should reflect a faithful response to God’s self giving in Jesus Christ and Christ’s call to minister to and share with others in the world. (W-5.5004, Directory for Worship).
3. Our story, God’s story and the living story of God and God’s people through history
4. We see God’s presence in the whole world and are given the responsibility to care for all of God’s creation.
The Mission Statement of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak:
“Called by God’s love in Jesus Christ, we respond by welcoming others into an energizing community of worship, learning and service. Moving forward in faith, making disciples of all ages, we are sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit to make a daily difference in the world.”