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Vision & Mission

 

Mission

Our mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ with loving and open hearts. We are a group of Christian worshipers who share a belief in God who in grace and mercy, sent His only begotten Son into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it from sin.

This fundamental belief compels us, as believers, to share God’s wonderful message of salvation to our community and to the world at large.

 

 

Vision Statement

Goshen is a church that values diversity and believes in loving frequent fellowship using small groups. Where members care for one another, study the Bible and pray together regularly and where everyone is involved in ministry that transforms lives.

 

Our mission is to honor and glorify God by the growth of our members through fellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry, and evangelism (Acts 2:42-47) . 

 

God’s purpose for the Church is two-fold: the work “in” the Church and the work “of” the Church.

 

 

 

Core Values

The Goshen Seventh-day Adventist Church Core Values support our building a strong foundation and by clarifying what undergirds our ministry, shapes the church and affects how ministry is conducted. These core values are in no way a replacement for the Word of God, but rather a visual representation of the key elements of God’s Word that assist a healthy church life. The leadership of Goshen identified these core values. These core values answer the question, “Why do we do what we do?” These values speak of what is most important to us as a congregation. Our Annual Ministry Goals are centered on reflecting these values.

 

WORSHIP
We believe in one triune God and our worship to Him is the central activity of the church

Worship is meeting with God in our daily lives and in the regular gathering of believers. Since God is the “audience” for our worship, our primary goal is bringing honor and pleasure to Him. That which honors and brings Him pleasure is directed by our knowledge of His attributes as communicated through His Word, Divine revelation, and His work among us. In worship we will meet with God. Fully aware of His presence, we will engage physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually by responding to His glory with reverence, joy and thanksgiving through prayer, music, celebration, the teaching of the Word, stewardship of our resources and lives of obedience.

 

Our worship is not limited by style; it has much more to do with people truly engaging their hearts and minds in exalting God. In spirit and in truth, our worship involves a variety of expressions honoring God, motivating us to spiritual change and maturity, evangelizing the lost and encouraging the believer. We strive to make our reflection of Christ creative, relevant, understandable, memorable and engaging. For the believer, we offer personal worship experiences, prayer and communion. For the seeker, we offer a welcoming place to come to know Christ.

 

 

GODLY LEADERSHIP
We believe that God himself orders the affairs of the church and ultimately ordains its leaders.

The authority of leaders is derived from God’s calling, and is then fleshed out in the Christ-like, “above-reproach” character of the leaders as they seek to become servants of the flock. Leaders are not to use their authority in a way that “lords it over” others. Pastoral staff, in concert with elders and other lay leadership, initiate and set goals and define vision for ministry that reflect the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s will as expressed through the Body. It is our responsibility to develop, recognize, support and respect leaders, in our church.

 

We also recognize our responsibility to act with vision, ever mindful of the effects of our actions today and in the future. We believe that the church should operate as a unified community of servants with men and women stewarding their spiritual gifts. Goshen is committed to a team ministry that seeks to equip lay leaders and members of the congregation to utilize their gifts in ministry.

 

While looking for leadership from the Pastors, we depend not only on the energy and gifts of a single individual—or even the entire pastoral staff and elders—but on a broad based commitment of all members, as well. This decentralized and enabling shared ministry reflects the acceptance of others’ ministry gifts and creatively motivates individuals within the fellowship.

 

 

DISCIPLESHIP
We believe that Christ's Great Commission provides us with a clear directive—to be and make disciples.

The church is a relational community and disciple-making is a continual cycle of introducing Christ to others, growing and equipping them in the knowledge of Christ and sending them into the world to serve and minister to others. Evangelism becomes the natural outgrowth of effective discipleship. We accept the biblical teaching of spiritual gifts and believe that every believer should manifest authentic fruit of the Spirit and yearn for continuous growth.

 

Every believer, employing their spiritual gifts, should be involved in the discipleship process, as a disciple-r of others and/or as one being guided toward spiritual maturity. With this in mind, we are committed to providing the means (Sabbath School, Bible studies, small groups, etc.) through which believers are encouraged to grow in their understanding of the Christian faith and in their relationship with each other and with God. This will be accomplished through study, teaching, training opportunities and through practices that encourage lay initiative, leadership responsibility and authority in various ministries in the church. The ministries of this church, carried out by lay and ordained servants, will employ all of its God-given resources for this great commission.

 

 

 

CHILDREN & YOUTH
We believe that we have a responsibility to complement and support parents in the spiritual nurture of their children and youth toward maturity in Christ.

Paul clearly implies that the temptations and opportunities faced by one age group are somewhat different from those faced by a different age group (Titus 2:2-8). For this reason, there is biblical merit for recognizing, within the unity of the body, the unique ministry needs and opportunities of specific age groups. It is within this general framework that our church body seeks to nurture children and youth toward maturity in Christ, with recognition of their specific age-related needs and abilities. The Scriptures provide clear teaching that primary responsibility and accountability in the training and nurture of children belongs to their parents, and parents may not abdicate this responsibility to others.

 

Our youth-focused ministries, programs and activities will support parents by ministering to their children and youth in appropriate ways, exercising our gifts so as to build them up, and modeling and encouraging godly character–all aimed at their spiritual growth and maturity. No ministry, program or activity of the church will usurp the parents’ place in the life of their child, or encourage the parents to abdicate their parental responsibilities, as this is contrary to the express will of God.

 

While most aspects of spiritual nurture are best accomplished by the parents within the home, we recognize that the larger body of Christ may also provide some valuable contexts for spiritual nurture that the home cannot easily provide. The church provides a safe and supervised environment in which a young person can develop both spiritually and relationally with God, themselves and others. While the church gives broader access to the diverse gifts that God has given for the common good of our younger members, the church is also the proper context in which our children and youth may exercise and develop their spiritual gifts. Within this context, we will also seek to develop and nurture youth who demonstrate an ability to provide leadership among their peers.

 

OUTREACH
We believe and seek to live the Great Commandment—love to God and man; and the Great Commission—go ye therefore to all.

 We regard ourselves not as the only Christians, but as Christians only. It is the responsibility of each of us to reach out personally and congregationally with a credible witness of the good news of Jesus Christ. We clearly communicate Christ’s call to repentance, faith and obedience. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we invite people into this community of faith to worship and to serve God. Our aim is to be more intentional and strategic in opening wide the welcoming doors of Goshen to the city we serve. We seek to break down barriers across race, culture, socio-economic status, denominations and beliefs, working vigorously both locally and abroad, to make a difference in the world God has called us to reach. We recognize that the church must stay doctrinally pure first and then, at the same time, carry out the ministries in creative and culturally relevant ways, adapting the methods and means we use to minister to the needs of people.

 

STEWARDSHIP
We believe that God is the source of all life and that everything we have is a gift from God.

We honor God by faithfully, joyfully, and sacrificially stepping up to His call of workmanship in giving our time, opportunities, spiritual gifts, talents and abilities, blessings of the earth, financial resources, tithes, and possessions—for these are given and made available to us for the purpose of fruitful service to God and man. We also honor God by following biblical principles for good health in our spiritual, mental, physical and social responsibilities. We are committed to God-centered planning and the effective use of our resources. It is our responsibility to recognize, develop, support and employ the giftedness of every individual by supplying what is necessary for the deployment of his servants. All ministries and activities must be central to the purposes for which God has directed us. Activities that don’t meet this standard will be eliminated regardless of the perceived results. We demand ourselves to be accountable and dependable and strive to be people who exude excellence in everything we do in order to bring glory to God. We will align our personal, physical and financial resources with that direction.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
We believe that the Bible is God's word to all men—it is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living and is fundamental for the spiritual development, education and equipping of all believers.

It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. Every Christian has a responsibility before God to take ownership for their spiritual life. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on Him, and this dependence is developed when we spend time with God in His Word, in prayer and in study. This is the catalyst for transformation in our lives. The church has a responsibility to equip its people by providing teaching, inspiration and resources necessary for life change to reach our highest God-given potential. For our students, this is further supported through our biblically-based, local and worldwide education system. We direct our resources so that Christian education, whether relational or academic, is accessible for everyone.

 

 

 

Our Beliefs

Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as the only source of our beliefs. Our beliefs are meant to permeate your whole life. Growing out of scriptures that paint a compelling portrait of God, we are invited to explore, experience and know the One who desires to make us whole.

 

God

Seventh-day Adventists base their faith in God as revealed through Jesus Christ and as shown through the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16)

 

Faith

Faith means placing complete trust in God, and accepting his offer of salvation. Such trusting faith is fundamental to Adventist beliefs. A living relationship with God is essential to faith. (Php. 1:20-30; 1 Thess. 5:8; Matt. 6:30)

 

The Bible

Written down over many years, the Bible presents the essential truth about God. The Holy Spirit inspired human writers to reveal the character of God and how he wishes to save all those who come to him. The Bible explains the nature of God and the way God’s followers will behave as a result of their relationship with him. (2 Peter 1:20-21; Ps. 119:105; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; Heb. 4:12)

 

The Gospel

The heart of the Adventist message is the gospel, God’s good news of salvation. Through Jesus’ death on the cross human beings may be won back to love and trust God, and accept God’s free gift of eternal life for all those who follow him. (Matt 4:23; Rom. 10:15; 1 Peter 4:1-7)

 

Creation

Creator of the Universe, Christ formed our world in seven days, and created the first man and woman. At the close of his creative work, God gave the Sabbath as a day of celebration and worship. (Gen 1&2; Ps. 19 1-6; Heb. 11:3)

 

The Sabbath

The seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) is given as a reminder of the God who both creates and saves, and is the day God invites all to come and worship him. Jesus observed the seventh-day Sabbath while on earth, and Adventists follow his example in keeping the fourth of the Ten Commandments. (Exo. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Matt. 12:1-12; Mark 1:32)

The Second Advent

Adventists look forward to the soon return of Jesus Christ as prophesied and as he himself promised, but do not set any date for this glorious event when he comes to take home all who accept him as their Lord. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7; Mark 13; 1 Thess. 5:1-6)

 

Life After Death and the Future

Adventists follow Jesus in identifying those who die as sleeping. Those who have trusted God are raised to life when Jesus returns, and look forward to a wonderful future–eternal life in God’s presence. (Rom. 6:23; Eccl. 9:5, 1 Cor. 15:51-54; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10)

 

Baptism and Commitment

Those who choose to accept God’s way for their lives and his offer of eternal life demonstrate their belief through baptism (being immersed in water), following the example of Jesus. Adventists follow lives of commitment to God and his plan for us, which include following his commands as being for our best good. (Matt. 28: 19-20; Rom. 6:1-6; Acts 16:30-33)

 

Education

The Adventist Church operates one of the largest educational systems in the world, and features Universities such as Loma Linda whose Medical Center is at the forefront of treatments such as the innovative Proton Accelerator for cancer treatment. Through a world-wide network of schools, Adventists seek to better humanity through providing education and vocational training. (Prov. 22:6; 2 John 1:4)

 

Community Aid

Through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and other programs, the Adventist Church provides practical assistance to those less fortunate, caring for the poor and disadvantaged in many countries of the world, without regard for race, religion or nationality. The Church also operates youth camps, community service projects, family life counseling and other programs to assist those wishing to overcome drug addiction and alcohol or tobacco dependence. (Ps. 41:1; Matt. 19:21; 1 Cor. 13:3)

 

The Communication of Hope

Seventh-day Adventists communicate hope by focusing on the quality of life that is complete in Jesus. Communication is a vital aspect of faith, sharing the good news of God and keeping the family of believers in touch through a global system that includes satellite broadcasting, TV, radio, print and the Internet. (Isa. 61:1-3; Acts 16:6-8; Rev. 14:6)

 

 

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