One version of this verse reads: "Without vision, the people perish." Running wild and perishing, not a good combination for decent, God-fearing folk. A favorite pastor and author I often read named Rick Warren, believes that the vision or mission of any organization needs to be restated  to the organization at least every month. For Rick (who BTW, pastors Saddleback community in Silicon Valley, CA) this restatement of his church's vision/mission statement is one of his most important jobs.

 

As you know, I've been on vacation the last couple of weeks, but you and NewSong haven't been far from my thoughts and prayers. One of the things I realized I needed to do more often was to restate with clarity and purpose, the vision of NewSong. I'm not a really fan of Mission Statements or Vision sayings, I think they become rote or cliche' and never really fulfill their intended purpose. But, for brevity and clarity's sake, allow me to reduce our mission to a single statement.

 

At NewSong, our mission is to: "Live as Christ, Love for Christ and Lead Others to Christ." or words to that effect.

 

The reality is, that should be the mission statement of every church. The only variables should be how we do that. At NewSong the variables take on many faces. Our Pumpkin Patch in October reaches our community in ways Sunday worship can't, Christmas Eve Candlelight, Easter Egg Hunt and other community oriented ministries help us in fulfilling our mission.

 

This weekend, each of you has the opportunity to help us fulfill our mission statement. While Vacation Bible School (VBS) might seem like a kid's activity, year after year adults tell me how much they get out of VBS. It's contagious, Christ-centered and oh yeah, FUN!

 

Join us Friday at 6:30 PM for set up and Saturday from 10 AM-3:30 PM for NewSong's first annual VBS!

Your Pastor and Friend,
Trey