Vision for the Church

God is at work in Waunakee, Wisconsin

Why Emphasize Writings From 2,000 Years Ago? Because the Bible is more than a historical document, more than a reference work, more than good stories to read to our children (indeed, it is all that, but is so much more). As is stated in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:

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God has been calling an evangelical Christian church into being to accomplish His purposes in this community.

By the authority given to Jesus Christ to establish His church (Matt. 28: 18-20), by His power (John 15:5, Matthew 16:18, Eph. 3:20-21), and by faith (Heb. 10: 35-39, Heb. 11: 6, Rom. 1:17) we will start and build a core group, incorporate, and then call a pastor with strong leadership, preaching, teaching, and relational skills, who shares our vision, mission and values.

Ministry Focus and Characteristics
We will effectively minister to, disciple, and incorporate new believers into the church, with young families being the primary focus. Because our ministry is

• Christ-centered,
• Biblically based,
• Culturally relevant,
• Seeker friendly, and
• Meets spiritual needs,

...we will grow, but numbers are not our focus. The initial core group will cherish the special times experienced together as a small group, but they will adapt to the changing circumstances and needs that result from growth.

Growth and Smallness
We will establish and maintain a growing network of small groups to teach, disciple, and nurture fellowship and intimacy. In this sense, the larger we get the smaller we must become.

Pastoral Leadership, Support and Facility
We will add pastoral staff as needed to provide leadership to the church's ministries and will add administrative staff to handle routine administrative functions of the church. The pastoral staff will lead, facilitate, and empower church members to minister and serve the body according to their spiritual gifts and talents.

We will obtain land and build a church building in a central, visible, and accessible location. The land will become available in a miraculous way (yet unknown to us), and will be virtually free. In this way, God will confirm his guidance at a very special time. There will be plenty of space for both parking, facility and expansion.

A Planting Church
We will be a church-planting church and will either start another church in a target area, team with other churches to start a church, or provide significant support toward the starting of another church in Dane County.

A Spiritual Resource
Grace Community Church will become a spiritual resource to the local community and have a good reputation in the community. Because of the church's positive spiritual influence on the lives of individual people in the community, community institutions will come to reflect Christian values, the community at large will experience God's blessing, and God will be glorified.