Christian Education Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Grace Christian Education is to bring about Christian spiritual formation and growth for children, youth, and adults through age appropriate instruction, resources and developmental opportunities.
GOALS
- Make the Holy Spirit the head of all we do, plan, and implement.
- Use of Technology for administrative and instructional support.
- Raise quality of instruction to consistently excellent.
- Membership involvement – Generate energy around Christian Education.
- Lay leadership – Identify and support those with Christian Education as vocation.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Through the ministry, a curriculum of Bible Study classes is developed and scheduled for the fall, winter and summer sessions. Periodic short term topical classes are also planned.
- Vacation Bible School is held for one week during the summer.
- The Ministry, under the direction of the Christian Education Director, is responsible for caring out the church’s Sunday School.
Couple’s Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Couple’s Ministry is to present an opportunity for unmarried couples to loin together and strengthen their relationship with each other and God as they embark on the pathway to marriage.
GOALS
- Develop a more passionate relationship with God.
- Understand what God desires from us as individuals and as a part of a unit.
- Develop a partnership with the Marriage Enrichment Ministry.
- Develop outreach programs.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Wednesday Night Bible Study
- Communication Workshops
- Dinner & A Movie events
- Annual Retreat with the Marriage Enrichment Ministry
Courtesy Guild Ministry Overview
Usher
MISSION STATEMENT
Serving God, the Church and the Community.
GOALS
- Praise God in all that we do.
- Conduct at least one community service project.
- Improve efficiency of all usher boards.
- Develop and implement a Youth Usher Board
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- We welcome worshipers into the sanctuary at Grace.
- We maintain an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in the sanctuary.
- We assess the audience in the sanctuary in order to locate seats for worshipers and we take those who come to worship to their seats.
- We provide new member orientation and training on proper protocol for all ushers.
- We will implement a service project, i.e. adopt a family, volunteer, feed the hungry projects, etc.
- We pray before each service and remind members that our major goal is to serve God.
Hospitality
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to be obedient to the evangelistic call of the church by exhibiting love and warmth to all persons visiting and worshipping at Grace Christian Church.
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GOALS
- Increase membership. (at Grace or for your committee)
- Encourage youth and young adult involvement.
- Communicate/disseminate ministry-related activities/plans more effectively.
- Establish and maintain funds for social events and meetings.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- We provide a spirit of hospitality and extend a warm and loving welcome to all who come to worship at Grace.
- We provide cards/gifts for bereavement, weddings, births, etc of ministry members.
- We provide fellowship and interaction for ministry members.
Discipleship Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Discipleship Ministry is to create and sustain strategies that promote the continuous involvement of all members in the life of the church with special focus on providing orientation, confirmation, support, and retention of new members and the reclamation of members who may have become disconnected from the church.
GOALS
- Recruit new members and re-engage inactive members through fellowship and development activities.
- Establish working committees to review, revise, and manage each of the five key functions of the ministry; e.g., Intake; Orientation; Retention; Reclamation and Ministry Member Care and Development.
- Improve and expand upon the Worship + 1 concept to ensure that each member of the congregation is encouraged to regularly attend worship service and to participate in at least one ministry.
- Strengthen relationships with other ministries to assist with information sharing and referring new members and outreach activities.
- Have classes on Spiritual Gifts.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Begin a Member Care Committee that will coordinate hospitality and fellowship activities for the ministry.
- Encourage New Member Classes to support other ministries in their outreach activities as class projects.
- Coordinate New Member Fellowship events with other ministries’ events for broader participation.
Events Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Events Ministry is to give faithful service and provide assistance to those requesting the use of the GCC facilities.
GOALS
- Our goals include providing guidance and support for members and non-members desiring the use of the church’s facilities for all services, religious and non-religious in an effort to ensure that the experience will be meaningful and memorable.
- By ensuring that the established policies and procedures of the church are adhere to.
- By assigning an adequate number of qualified ministry team members to be present at the events.
- By ensuring that events begin on time.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- We provide coordinators and vendors with written policies that govern events taking place at Grace Christian Church.
- We serve as a liaison between the church and the event coordinator.
- We provide adequate staffing at events.
- We will schedule a face-to-face meeting with coordinator to discuss and review the format for the event to ensure that it is in keeping with the dignity and sacredness of worship as we understand it at Grace Christian Church.
- We will be present on day of event to serve as ambassadors for Grace Christian Church.
Genesis Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
As advocate for Children, we will promote the spiritual, physical, psychological and academic needs of the children (ages 5-11) of Grace Christian Church and the Community through Christian love and connectional relationships and partnerships with parents and the ministries of Grace. To present Christ in a manner that helps children see that God is a way of life filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.
GENESIS' MINISTRY GOALS
- Develop a partnership with Christian Education to develop Bible Study curriculum and home study programs to develop our children spiritually.
- Develop a partnership with worship to enhance Children’s Church.
- Develop a transitional connection between Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministries to ensure our children are spiritually and emotional prepared for the transition.
- Develop a Christian Parent, Teacher, Student, Community, Administrator partnership with Richland County Schools to address the needs of our schools.
- Develop Evangelism and Outreach programs to embrace the community and to provide the children of Grace an opportunity to be disciples.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Christian Education
- Work with Christian Education to identify curriculum for bible studies, home studies and summer reading programs.
- Work with Sunday School to utilize Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as a foundation.
- Praise & Worship
- Work with Music Ministry to enhance Children’s Church.
- Develop a Children’s Sabbath to promote the development of their spiritual gifts through the service as acolytes, ushers, greeters and Psalter readers.
- Mentoring youth by sponsoring a child age 10-11.
- Promote joint events and activities when applicable.
- Develop a spiritual and emotional roadmap.
- Evangelism and Outreach
- Great Skate
- Sports and Cultural Outings
Health & Wellness Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The Health & Wellness Ministry will provide education, enrichment and support in the fields of health & wellness in an effort to promote, maintain and restore the prevention of diseases within our lifespan through workshops, health fairs, newsletters, clinics and collaborating with community services.
GOALS
- The Health & Wellness Ministry goal is to serve as a resource to meet the needs of our community.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Distribution of Health Literature
- Blood Drives
- Health Workshops
- Health Walks
- Health Fairs
- Support Groups
"Let us therefore follow after the things, which make peace, and wherewith one, may edify another."
- Romans 14:19
Higher Education Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Higher Education Ministry is to serve as a resource and a link between Grace Christian Church, local college campuses, and individuals pursuing education in colleges and universities.
GOALS
- Maintain continuous and interactive communication between Grace and the local higher education community.
- Promote the value of higher education achievement at all levels—undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate.
- Develop and implement programs and promote opportunities for college and university students to explore the integration of faith and secular life experiences.
- Provide opportunities for Grace Christian Church parishioners to support higher education achievement and aspirations.
- Develop and present programs that inform GCC members of current and historical efforts to celebrate education.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Collaborate with the campus chaplain and student organizations to present four chapel services each academic year.
- Assist campus organizations with two faith events each academic year.
- In collaboration with the Scholarship Committee provide scholarship opportunity information four times annually to the student/parent mailing list.
- Work with the Youth Ministry to provide each scholarship recipient the opportunity to fulfill their community service commitment.
Marriage Enrichment Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The Marriage Enrichment Ministry seeks to strengthen and support relationships of married couples through scriptural studies and sharing of experiences.
VISION
We will live the covenant of Holy Matrimony as couples while sharing and exchanging our personal experiences, thereby providing an under-girding of not only married couples, but also of the entire community of God.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Annual Marriage Retreat
- Spring and Fall Workshops and periodic educational classes
- Provide training for marital involvement and light counseling
Men’s Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The Men’s Ministry of Grace Christian Church are purposed to minister to the hearts of men through prayer, spiritual support and encouragement.
GOALS
- Men’s Bible Study
- Prayer Groups
- Development and Implementation of various workgroups
- Health Initiatives
- Increase the mail membership in the church
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Monthly Beautification Projects
- Mentor Programs
- Semi-Annual Seminars
- Annual Golf Tournament
- Quarterly Men’s Day Breakfast
Praise & Worship Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The Grace Praise & Worship Ministry exists in order to develop a better spiritual, emotional and mental relationship with God through music.
GOALS
- Engage more members in the Praise & Worship Ministry
- Recruit members to Grace and the ministry
- Have annual Praise & Worship Services
- Have semi-annual fundraisers
- Develop a youth, women’s and men’s choir
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Engage in community service projects
- Hold annual summer outdoor event for the community
- Conduct quarterly public service events
- Annual concert
- Special musical events
Single’s Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
To help single men and women find and develop their purpose in their season of singleness.
GOALS
- Continue to increase participation in weekly Bible study.
- Help singles find and develop the purpose God has for them.
- Help develop each person’s spiritual gift in the body of the ministry.
- Help with day-to-day struggles of living a single and satisfied life.
- Provide a variety of Christian fellowship activities.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Ongoing – Wednesday night Bible study
- Dutch Fellowship Event (Bowling, Movies, Billiards, etc.)
- Christmas Fellowship Event
Wisdom Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, nurturing, physical enrichment, sharing the Good News of God’s Grace and Christian fellowship for older adult members of Grace Christian Church.
GOALS
- Increase the number of active members of the Wisdom ministry.
- Improve the “image” of the Wisdom ministry.
- Widen outreach programs in the community.
- Provide opportunities for witnessing and sharing of faith journeys.
- Improve networking and joint ventures with other ministries.
WHAT WE SERVE GRACE
- Work with the Disciple ministry to meet with new members.
- Invite current “eligible” church members (personally) to join our ministry.
- Develop activities that show us as being active, nurturing, busy, and knowledgeable.
- Bible Study
Plan visits to other assist-living facilities to ascertain ways we can help.
- Reach out to the sick and shut-in of all members of Grace.
- Invite other churches to join us for special programs conferences and trips.
- Include volunteer informal/formal “witness” presentations in our regular meetings.
- Support the church through volunteering: answering the phone during “busy” times as needed, etc.
- Volunteer at the Women and Children’s Shelter (read, provide appropriate educational and entertaining activities, etc.)
- Donate commercial and non-commercial educational aids; i.e., flash cards, games, books, etc.
Women’s Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
As we travel on our journey toward the eternal life that God has promised us, it is our goal to minister to the hearts of women through prayer, education, spiritual support and encouragement. The love of Jesus comforts us, the faith of the Holy Spirit surrounds us, and the grace of God keeps us. Every journey begins with a single step, and in Christ, that first step has already been taken for us.
GOALS
- Educate women on issues that effect everyday life (spiritual-life, prayer-life, life-balancing, finances, career, etc.)
- Educate women on health and wellness issue issues.
- Educate women on health issues for their kids.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Monthly Salads for Sisters events
- Monthly Beautification Projects
- Annual Women Conferences
- Educational Sessions
Youth Ministry Overview
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Youth Ministry at Grace is to build Disciples for Christ by fostering spiritual, personal and social growth in youth, ages 11 to 18 years. To build self confidence and encourage the development of a clear vision for their future through continued exposure to Bible study, African-American heritage, volunteerism and personal/career development.
GOALS
- Spiritual Development – Continue building a spiritual development program relevant to today’s youth.
- Education - Reinforce educational experiences.
- Counseling – Provide a safe place for youth to express themselves confidently.
- Mentoring – Provide a mentor relationship that helps our youth in the future.
- Parenting – Continue building solid base of parental support.
HOW WE SERVE GRACE
- Spiritual Development
Increase participation in Bible study.
- Ensure relevant Sunday School topics.
- Ensure that church-wide events/initiatives include a youth perspective.
- Address the needs of both male and female youth.
- Annual Youth Revival.
- Education
- Ensure that youth program offers assistance in the areas needed most by students.
- Offer workshops and Seminars on College Prep (SAT, Admissions, Financial Aid). Make classes available to GCC Youth, schools within the area, other churches and the community.
- Seek tutors for one-on-one sessions with students.
- Offer Annual College Tours.
- Establish GCC as a church with a proactive approach to the educational needs of our youth.
- Counseling
- Offer one-on-one counseling as needed.
- Establish counseling hours.
- Make available a list of counseling referrals.
- Mentoring
- Partner with schools to mentor students.
- Mentor youth in one-to-one relationships.
- Parenting
- Ensure that parents are an integral part of the Youth Ministry.
- Building the number of parents involved in the activities of their children.
- Develop Parental workshops.