Concord United Methodist Church 5178 Hinkleville Road Paducah, Kentucky 42001-9693 270.443.2669
CHURCH VISION
REACHING OUT – LIVING IN CHRIST
We see the Concord congregation:
REACHING OUT
To those who need Jesus. The people of Concord have a passion, a restless urge, a burning desire to see everyone in the community brought to Christ; therefore they are reaching out to those who are non-Christians and those who seldom attend church, with the intent of bringing them into Christian fellowship. By so doing, they are fulfilling the Great Commission – the words of Jesus found in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Helping those in need. The people of Concord love all people just as Jesus does. They feel a special responsibility for those Jesus would identify as "the least of these" including children, the poor, the sick, the aged and the disabled. They are actively, routinely and frequently participating in mission efforts at all levels – worldwide as well as local. The people of Concord not only raise money to help those in need everywhere in the world, but they also organize teams, solicit and train volunteers and send people to perform hands-on, face-to-face missions of mercy and love. A major emphasis is on allocating the church’s resources, as Christ would do.
LIVING IN CHRIST
Giving God priority. The people of Concord are fruitful Christians because they give God the highest priority in their lives and they allow the Holy Spirit to guide their daily actions. They are obedient to the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:37-40, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
Worshipping God. The people of Concord participate in worship of God that is authentic, alive, creative and comprehensive. Visitors are warmly and graciously welcomed from the time they arrive in the parking lot until they leave to return home. The congregation is connected to God and to one another by the inspirational music and the life-changing sermons. All aspects of the worship services combine to glorify God. Hearts are warmed – hearts are changed.
Growing in Christ. The people of Concord are responding to God’s desire for us to grow and mature as Christians. They place a high priority on prayer and Bible study and desire to follow the example Jesus set for us. They have identified and clearly state what they believe God’s standards are for living a Christian life. They offer an exciting curriculum of courses that is moving new converts, as well as all people in the congregation, to becoming deeply committed Christians.
Answering God’s call. The congregation understands that Jesus is Concord’s reason for existing. They recognize that each person has a unique calling by God for ministry. To that end they help individuals discover their callings; they nurture and support them as they fulfill their callings.
We also see Concord:
Being a place of diversity – multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-generational. The congregation is joyful, loving, tolerant, accepting, spirit-filled and humble; people who love God; families and singles from all walks of life who are participating regularly in the ministries of the church.
Having excellent church, educational and recreational facilities that are appealing and welcoming to those who pass by. This includes having first-class nursery, children and youth facilities that reflect the priority we place on these age levels and a spacious sanctuary and other worship areas that speak of our love for God.
Being a congregation of thousands where hundreds of new converts are coming to know Christ each year. The congregation doesn’t focus on the numbers, but on the people those numbers represent. They don’t strive to be a large church, but they desire to reach people for Christ and welcome them into the fellowship of Concord.
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VALUES
At Concord, it is our desire to honor God through our work on His behalf. Therefore, we will do His work with the qualities we most value:
Love
Humility
Excellence
Generosity
Christ-like Passion
Christ-like Compassion
Christ-like Tolerance
Integrity
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BELIEFS
Our power is God. We know that apart from Jesus our Savior, we can do nothing. We gratefully receive the Holy Spirit as God's presence on earth and in our lives.
Our authority is the Bible. We read it, study it and let it guide our lives.
Prayer is our natural way of communicating with God.
At Concord, we are Christians who are proud to be part of the United Methodist Church.
We long for the fullness of God's kingdom. We pray: "On earth, just as it already is in heaven."
Congregational history: God called. We responded. We are the body of Christ.
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Church History
In response to requests for salvation help, John Wesley formed the people called "Methodists" around three general rules. They were developed in 1743 and are a simple and concise description of basic Christian practices. The Rules are a guide to help the Church and its individual members grow in holiness of heart and life. The General Rules are the Methodist rule of life.
Wesley's General Rules
"It is therefore expected … that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
First: By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced …
Secondly: By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all people …
Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God (Sometimes called "Means of Grace"); such are:
The public worship of God.
The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded.
The Supper of the Lord.
Family and private prayer.
Searching the Scriptures.
Fasting or abstinence."