The Image

The image that has shaped the identity of Faith United Methodist Church since its birth in 1956 is the ship.  Like a ship with billowed sails, FUMC has been moving on a journey.  Propelled by the Holy Spirit, this church has been a vessel for learning, loving and leading  toward the mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  

The Direction

Staying on course requires attention, reflection, discernment and adjustments.  On February 20, over 100 people at Faith gathered to reflect on where we have been and to discern the direction we are called to go.  As the day progressed and over 300 reflections were recorded, our excitement escalated.  The Holy Spirit was present.  

Measurable Goals

Since March, the Ministry Teams of FUMC have reviewed the reflections that came out of our day of visioning.  Each team has established some measurable goals for the remainder of 2010 while at the same time, they have begun to chart goals for the next ten years.  

The Covenant

A large wind-powered ship requires  a dedicated crew.  At Faith, each person is considered a member of the crew.  Our baptismal vows (even for those not yet baptized) define the covenant that employees our unique gifts as we live out our mission together.  That covenant calls us to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  Each of these five components can be seen as one of the five masts on the ship. 

Power

It is amazing that a ship can sail across the ocean powered by the wind.  In Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, the word for  wind (ruach) is the same word for breath and  Spirit.  Since its birth on Pentecost almost 2000 years ago, the church has traveled many oceans powered by the Holy Spirit.  Historians cannot quantify the amount of  good God has brought to the world through the church.  Its message of the Good News and salvation has helped to realize God’s kingdom experienced through healing, transformation, righteousness, justice, reconciliation and community.  As crew members of FUMC, each of us is called daily to help hoist and trim the sails to maximize God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to move us further in service to God’s mission.  

The Faith Challenge

The church has cast a vision.  The Ministry teams have established goals.  Now each person in the church (every member of the crew) is asked to set personal goals to help sail the church further on its journey over the next seven months.  This is the  Faith Challenge.  Accepting the Faith Challenge means renewing our covenant to help tend the sails of FUMC, personally moving forward in our commitment to faithfully support the ministries of the church through our prayers, presence, service, gifts and witness.  Each person must define what will challenge him or herself to move forward in each of these five areas.  The Faith Challenge Catalog and Response Card are provided to help you with this process.