Mission & Vision Sessions – Congregational Summary

During the weeks of August, six Sunday School classes gathered to pray, reflect on Scripture, and discuss who God is calling St. John’s to be in the years ahead. Across the groups, several clear themes emerged about our identity, strengths, challenges, and hopes for the future.

You may also check out how we began our Mission & Vision Revision here.

Our Calling & Identity

  • St. John’s is an authentically welcoming, loving, and inclusive church that reflects Christ’s love in tangible ways. 
  • Feeding ministry, in the form of the Shepherd’s Market, has become central to our witness and reputation. This call includes a desire to address physical needs with dignity, respect, and compassion
  • In addition to the Shepherd’s Market, support of and participation in many mission and outreach efforts (below) further reflect our identity as a mission-oriented church
  • We feel called to address spiritual needs as well as physical needs, recognizing that many are lonely and in need of community, or need safe space to explore deeper questions 
  • We embrace our United Methodist heritage, living this out through open communion, grace, service, connection, a concern for justice, and a theology that incorporates scripture, tradition, reason, and experience (Wesleyan quadrilateral)

Our Strengths

  • Hospitality & Community: People repeatedly described St. John’s as warm, caring, and approachable. Many first came because of the people, music, or location, but stayed because of the community.
  • Mission & Service: From the Shepherd’s Market and other Opening Doors programs (FIT, holiday superstore, Charlie Thomas HS), Days for Girls, school supply drives, disaster relief, neighborhood outreach such as Easter Eggstravaganza and VBS, mission trips, etc, service is deeply woven into our DNA. Also mentioned were other times the church has been a real and visible witness in the community (e.g. shelter during the 2016 flood; doors and crosses on Highland Rd)
  • Fellowship & Small Groups: A strong Sunday School program, small group studies, regular coffee time, service opportunities, and occasional offerings like Associ-8’s foster connection, spiritual growth, and belonging. People appreciate getting to know others across generations and contexts. 
  • Spiritual Growth & Discipleship: In addition to SS, many commented on the importance of ongoing Bible studies, covenant groups, and spiritual formation opportunities for all ages. Some feel this may have lessened from previous years (perhaps when the Discipleship series was routinely offered?)

Our Challenges & Growing Edges

  • Children, Youth, and Young Families: Nearly every group named the urgent need to engage, nurture, and retain young people and families. Parents today have different realities than in past generations, and our current volunteer structures are not always sustainable. Creative approaches, fresh programming, and intergenerational connection are vital.
  • Volunteer Capacity & Leadership: A small core of leaders and volunteers carries much of the ministry load. We need to broaden participation, support and train future leaders, and create systems that prevent burnout.
  • Fears & Assumptions: These can inhibit bold vision (finances, legal concerns, “we can’t do it” mindset).

Our Hopes for the Future

  • A church where children, youth, and young families are deeply involved and thriving.
  • Expanded outreach that addresses both physical and spiritual needs in our neighborhood and city. Ideas mentioned included: literacy, tutoring, MDO, more activities such as pickleball, Medicaid enrollment support, veteran support
  • Greater diversity (cultural, political, generational), making sure all feel a true sense of belonging and inclusion
  • A congregation that continues to feed people physically and spiritually while also engaging in other areas of justice and advocacy.
  • Strong intergenerational connections 
  • Expanded property use (labyrinth, pavilion, walking paths, etc)
  • Coalition-building with other churches 

If Jesus Walked Through Our Doors…

Classes imagined Jesus would want to see:

  • Children and young people learning and serving alongside older generations
  • A community centered more on people than buildings.
  • A church that serves with joy, grows in love, and remains faithful to the gospel.

In Short

St. John’s United Methodist Church is widely seen as a church of love, service, and welcome. Our dream is to continue building on that foundation by recognizing the changing realities and needs around us, reaching new generations, expanding our outreach for both physical and spiritual needs, and ensuring every person knows they belong.