Goals
Vision 2020
God’s vision for First United Church of Oak Park … I see that one day First United Church will be so authentically Christian that your acts of love, compassion and generosity will astonish everyone.
Your unashamed faith in me will burn like a shining beacon, attracting people of every age, race, creed and spiritual condition to create a community of life-changing worship and reconciliation.
Though others have used my name to oppress, exclude and preserve their own privilege, you will bear witness to me by liberating the poor, welcoming strangers, and caring for your neighbors – even when it is unpalatable, even when it requires sacrificing your own comfort and convenience.
Though you are accustomed to knowing, discussing and deciding things by your own power, I see that one day you will expect everyone in your community – children, youth, adults and seniors – to be shaped, challenged and renewed by the power of my Spirit.
Your life together will be rich with deep connections, nurturing relationships and grace-filled prayers that extend far beyond Sunday morning.
One day every member of First United will live with profound spiritual humility and commitment to this shared vision.
No one will be a spectator. Everyone will be actively engaged in worship and ministry.
Your faith community will create a nurturing quilt of love for those who are wounded, alone and in need of healing and hope.
I see you move beyond simply providing charity to people in need toward working to change structures that sustain injustice.
You will call congregations, charitable organizations, governmental groups and businesses in your community to join together to address the root causes of poverty, hunger, homelessness, drug abuse, gangs, crime and discrimination.
One day all of you will be sent out as advocates for all people, in our nation and around the world.
You will invest your resources with joy to bring long-term, lasting change for generations to come.
You are here so that my realm will come and my will shall be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Three core values of the vision:
Moving from words to witness in our relationship with God. From rhetoric to God-pleasing actions. From symbols to life-changing, visionary action. We will voice our beliefs and express words that speak to our beliefs AND we will embody those words through action, not expecting that someone else will take the action.
Moving from individualism to intimate fellowship in our relationship with other members of the church community. To live our love for God, for each other and for our world. First United Church will be a community based on deep connections, bringing people of faith together in love and support of one another and in service to God.
Moving from charity to changing structures in our relationship with the world. While we continue to support those in need, we will invest passionately and aggressively to improve the social and cultural structures which create and sustain the need.
In 2007, the leadership of First United Church voted a goal for the church to create and maintain “a framework that nourishes the spiritual welfare of the congregation.” Click here to read more about this goal.