Inspired by the Spirit, we at Mill City Christian Church are on a divine mission: not just to achieve but to become—a dynamic church, a supportive community, and faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
Our vision at Mill City Christian Church (MCCC) is not just a list of objectives or strategies—it is a divine calling, a spirit-guided mission that we believe God has given us. This vision is a source of inspiration, a beacon of hope that lights our path forward. It’s not just about what we want to achieve—it’s about who we want to become as a church and as followers of Jesus Christ.
God’s Movement, Our Response
We see our church not as a static entity but as a dynamic, living organism constantly in motion, guided by the Spirit of God. This is a profound and awe-inspiring thought: God is actively at work in our midst, leading us, shaping us, and empowering us to fulfill our vision.
We believe God’s Spirit is moving in powerful ways in our church and community. We see this movement in our members’ spiritual growth, our congregation’s expanding size, and our plans to broaden our campus. Each of these growth areas is a testament to the powerful work of the Spirit in our midst.
A Testament to Growth: Two Service Sundays
As a testament to the tremendous growth we’ve experienced recently and in response to the Spirit’s leading, we’re thrilled to be making a impactful change this fall – the introduction of two services on Sundays. This decision, a response to us nearing capacity, will enable us to welcome more people into our church family and provide more flexibility for our members. It’s a necessary and exciting step towards accommodating the growth we’ve been blessed with and testament to God’s movement in our congregation.
The Journey Forward: Short-term Goals
To bring our vision to life, we have established several short-term goals that will guide our journey. These goals represent our commitment to fostering spiritual growth, sharing the Gospel of Jesus, expanding our ministries, and prioritizing corporate prayer.
Enhancing Relationship-building and Discipleship Initiatives
Our first goal is to strengthen the bonds within our church community and encourage spiritual growth. To achieve this, we have implemented a new member initiative where every new member receives a welcoming pink card on their first visit. This small gesture signifies our warm welcome and desire to walk together on this spiritual journey.
Following the initial welcome, we plan to follow up with a text or email within the first two days and a call within one to two weeks. This will allow us to answer any questions and provide them with resources to help them settle into our church community.
Moreover, we believe that personal connections are vital for a thriving community. Therefore, within four to six weeks of their first visit, we aim to invite new members to a follow-up lunch with our pastoral team and other church members. This will allow them to get to know us better and feel more at home in our community.
Encouraging Greater Participation in Sharing the Gospel of Jesus
Our second goal is to encourage all congregation members to share the Gospel of Jesus. Within the next year, we aim to establish an evangelism team that will equip our members with the knowledge and confidence to share their faith.
Additionally, we believe participating in mission trips can be a transformative experience that strengthens faith and fosters a sense of purpose. With this in mind, we plan to organize a mission trip within the next year that will allow our members to serve and share the Gospel beyond our local community.
Expanding Evangelism, Discipleship, and Leadership Classes
We are committed to providing opportunities for our members to grow in their faith and leadership skills. To this end, we plan to launch a new study or workshop focused on a specific ministry within the following year. This will provide an in-depth exploration of a particular Christian life and service aspect.
We also plan to offer at least one class, workshop, or community group focused on evangelism, discipleship, and leadership throughout the year. These classes will provide our members with practical skills and biblical knowledge, equipping them to serve more effectively in our church and community.
Prioritizing and Focusing on Organized Corporate Prayer
Prayer is at the heart of our church life, and we believe it’s crucial to prioritize and focus on organized corporate prayer. We aim to increase our corporate prayer participation by 20% in the near future, encouraging our members to come together in prayer for our church, our community, and our world.
Establishing a Phase II Planning Team
Finally, we plan to establish a Phase II planning team to ensure our vision remains focused and strategic. This team will oversee our progress towards our short-term goals and prepare for the next phase of our vision.
We believe we can create a strong foundation for our long-term vision by focusing on these short-term goals and fostering a vibrant, faithful, and impactful church. As we progress, we look forward to seeing growth in our congregation numbers and increased support for our campus building program.
The Promise of Tomorrow: Long-term Goals
Our long-term vision extends beyond the immediate future as we dream of a worship center that meets our needs and serves as a vibrant community hub. These goals will require time, resources, and the combined efforts of our entire congregation, but we firmly believe that we can turn these dreams into reality with faith, teamwork, and the Spirit’s guidance.
Erect a Worship Center with Ample Floor Space and Additional Rooms
Our most significant long-term goal is to construct a new worship center with plenty of floor space for our growing congregation. This worship center will also feature additional classrooms for our various ministries and educational programs, providing the necessary infrastructure to support our spiritual growth and discipleship mission.
We aim to break ground on Phase 2 of our building project within the next two years. Achieving this goal will require concerted planning, fundraising, and community engagement, but we are excited about this new worship center’s potential for our church and community.
Establish Our Facility as a Community Hub for Local Residents
In addition to being a place of worship and spiritual growth, we envision our new facility serving as a community hub for residents. Our church should be a beacon of hope and refuge in the community, where individuals and families can find support, connection, and resources.
To make this vision a reality, we plan to connect with local organizations to explore potential partnerships. Whether hosting community events, offering educational workshops, or providing space for other local groups, we want our facility to be a place that fosters community spirit and unity.
These long-term goals represent our commitment to growing as a church and serving our wider community. By establishing dedicated teams focusing on fundraising, programming, community outreach, and best practices, we aim to harness our collective resources and expertise to make these goals a reality. As we move forward, we do so with the confidence that we are guided by the Spirit and united in our vision.
Walking Together: Community Involvement
We know that fulfilling this vision is not a solo endeavor—it’s a community effort. We need every member of our congregation to join us on this journey. Whether you’ve been a part of our congregation for years or are just now finding us, you can contribute to our vision in countless ways. Here are a few ways you can get involved:
- Pray: We believe in the power of prayer and its role in our church’s growth. Join us in praying for our congregation, community, and vision.
- Participate: Join one of our many ministries or community groups. There’s a place for everyone at MCCC, whether you’re interested in teaching, music, outreach, or simply fellowship.
- Give: Financial support is crucial to expanding our campus and reaching more people. Consider donating or becoming a regular giver to help us achieve our goals.
- Invite: Personal invitations are one of the best ways to grow our congregation. Invite your friends, family, or coworkers to join you at MCCC.
- Serve: Consider volunteering your time and talents to our church. Whether helping with a community event, serving in one of our ministries, or joining one of our strategic teams, there are plenty of opportunities to serve.
The beauty of our vision is that it’s not just about what we can achieve as a church—it’s about what we can experience as a community. We’re not just looking for spectators—we’re seeking active participants. We need every member of our community to step up, get involved, and help us achieve our vision. After all, a church isn’t just a building or an organization—it’s a family. And every family member has a role to play.
Moving Forward Together
So, as we look to the future, let us move forward with faith, hope, and love. Let us embrace the movement of the Spirit, pursue our vision with passion, and anticipate with joy the great things God has in store for us. For we know that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Remember, our vision is more than just words on a page—it’s a living, breathing testament to the power of the Spirit at work in our church. It’s a commitment to growth, community, service, and the Gospel.
Let us press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Together, under the guidance of the Spirit, we can achieve the vision that God has set before us. So, are you ready to join us? Are you prepared to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Let’s move forward together, guided by the spirit, and see what God has in store for MCCC.
