Mission statements and Stone Church

In modern day church life, mission statements are huge.

It is important to narrow down the mission of the church (or any organization) to one or two repeatable sentences.

At Stone Church, we are a place to belong, a place to grow and a place to serve.  We exist to love God and love people.  We encourage people to come on Sunday mornings, attend a life group and serve in a ministry.

However, I read something today that could also serve as our "mission statement".

It comes from New York City, the harbor there, where there is a lady who stands tall.  She hold a torch in her hand, giving light. 

Inscribed on the pedestal upon which this lady stands are these famous words:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses
yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of
your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

Sounds like Stone Church to me. 

When we go after people nobody wants, God will send up people everyone wants.

We are a spiritual hospital.

We welcome everyone!

You can come with all your mess.

You can come with all your problems.

You can come with all your burdens.

You can come with all your needs.

You can come because Jesus is the "light of the world", to show you the way.

I am told that at the bottom of Lady Liberty's feet is a chain that has been broken.

She is inviting the broken and bruised people who have been held hostage in one situation or another.

At Stone Church, and in God's Kingdom, we are holding the same promise of freedom (spiritual and emotional) to those who are looking to escape their bondages.

Again, we welcome everyone, knowing that God is faithful to show us the way.

Just some thoughts for a Wednesday.