When faith is put into practice, that practice is called mission.  We have missions to self, to others & the community, and the world beyond.  In our missions we practice loving kindness, seeking justice, and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).  In our mission we follow the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).  In our mission we share the Fruit of the Spirit that has been given to us through the abundance of God (Galatians 5:22-23).  In this we come into contact with the Plan of God (Jeremiah 29:11) and are reassured by the constant presence of God (Joshua 1:9).  Each week our mission is capped by our time at the Table where we are given the chance to refocus and become renewed (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).  Through it all we fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

Missions

Mission to self:

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Of Sheridan, Indiana

Our mission to self is all about encouraging each other to walk a life of faith in the circumstances which each will find unique to a life.  This encouragement is found in how we offer support in difficult times, how we provide times to know about God and to come to know God.  It may take the form of walking the path of our Garden of Remembrance (pictured to the right), or coming to Sunday morning Bible studies grouped by age, or welcoming those who experience the world differently.  We make room for all who want to praise God and offer thanks for their unique gifts. 

 

We encourage the individual to learn and practice the disciplines of spirituality that includes:  worshipping weekly, reading scripture daily, praying daily, giving to the congregation’s mission, studying the Bible, fellowshipping with other faithful people, telling the story of Jesus, and serving at and beyond the local congregational setting.

Mission to others and the community

Our mission to others is centered in sharing what we have learned in our spiritual disciplines.  It is about opening the abundance God has shared with us so that others may look more closely for their abundance. 

 

Some of the ways we mission to others is through our Vacation Bible School, or our support of community events which are frequently held in our centrally located parking lot, or how we are involved with the Marion-Adams Ministerial Association (food pantry, Christmas Angels, Thanksgiving Baskets, Back-pack Buddies, Emergency aide to families with special needs).  We have countless volunteer hours logged into visiting our local healthcare and rehabilitation center and providing worship for the residents, or delivering meals on wheels, or providing rides for home-centered residents in the town and church so they may get to the market or doctor’s office.

 

Within the congregation we offer fellowship groups for women, men and youth.  These groups have their own support systems for spiritual development and mission.  Some of these groups are Christian Women’s Fellowship, Christian Men’s Fellowship, Christian Youth Fellowship, Chi-Rho, Young Disciples, and Classic Singles. 

Mission to the World

We support our mission in the world by several means.   Our local outreach includes monthly rummage sales where good second hand items and clothing is sold at nearly give-away prices.  This program has enabled us to give to MAMA’s cupboard, the local Emergency Fund, and other special emergency needs within the church and without. 

We also have a Pass-It-On Mission that has led our efforts in Appalachia, in Native American Reservations in South Dakota, in orphanages in Nicaragua, and in near by shelters for the homeless or battered.  Funding is provided by having food booths at festivals and weekend events (pictured at right).

 

We support the outreach needs of our denomination’s Week of Compassion which alleviates the suffering caused by natural and man-made disasters and through our Division of Overseas Ministry which works with ecumenical partnerships in developing nations (pictured at right is our partnership to the Democratic Republic of the Congo).  We also work with Church World Service by providing kits  for personal hygiene and schooling and by providing funds for blankets and shipping.

 

We are always looking for more ways to be involved and opening up God’s great abundance (pictured below is a joint service at our park; here we joined with Boxley United Methodist Church to praise God.