Our Mission
Inspired by Christ, living and growing in faith, Lake of the Isles is a loving and open community of worship, witness, and service in God’s world
Inspired by Christ: We believe that as a congregation we are Inspired by Christ: St. Paul writes that, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) Paul also encourages us to, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) It is our vision at Lake of the Isles that all of us come to understand more deeply what it means to be “clothed” with Christ and what it means to have the “mind” of Christ as we live our lives both in the church and in the world.
Living and growing in faith: We believe that living and growing in faith, we share St. Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Colossae: “I have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9-10) It is our vision at Lake of the Isles that everyone associated with this community of faith might grow in their faith in order that they might live more fully and joyfully.
A loving and open community: We believe that as a congregation we are to be a loving and open community. The Christ who calls us to follow him was radically inclusive and radically compassionate; he welcomed all and cared for all with an undiscriminating love. Our vision at Lake of the Isles is that we be a mirror of Christ’s openness, love, and compassion.
A community of worship: We believe that as a congregation we are a community of worship. Worship is the core of our community, the beating heart that keeps us alive. Without worship we cease to be a community of faith for it is in worship that we foundationally encounter and are encountered by God. Worship is for God’s people and not simply for God. It is a source of strength and comfort, of understanding, encouragement, growth, and assurance. At Lake of the Isles, we are an eclectic, liturgical and sacramental congregation with a strong focus on biblical preaching and the celebration of weekly communion.
A community of witness: We believe that as a congregation we are a community of witness. Jesus told his followers: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) He also commanded them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Our vision for Lake of the Isles is to be a community of faith that takes seriously this mandate from Christ. Evangelism, reaching out to the un-churched and under-churched with the gospel and inviting them into a relationship with God is our mission. Children are a particular focus for our congregation and are engaged in our witness through an active Children’s Ministry program.
A community of service in God’s world: We believe that as a Christian church we are a community of service in God’s world. You cannot read the gospels without quickly coming to the conclusion that Jesus cared for all people but most especially for the poorest of the poor, the neediest of the needy, the least of the least. As the “body of Christ,” as the presence of Christ in the world, we can do no less. Our vision at Lake of the Isles is that of a community of faith whose faith is active in love, active in justice, active in advocacy, active in peacemaking. We are active in neighborhood and community support programs including Community Emergency Services, Neighborhood Involvement Program, Our Savior’s Shelter and numerous AA groups.
We believe that this is a grand vision, but one worthy of the God we follow, the God who lives in and through us. It is our hope and our prayer that you will all share the vision and find your place in turning vision into reality.
Toward this end, we will provide numerous opportunities in the coming year for you to learn spiritual and devotional practices/disciplines that can deepen your experience of God, strengthen your faith, and undergird your relationships, your family, your personal and professional lives. We encourage everyone to participate in at least one educational opportunity in the coming year to grow in your faith and faithfulness.
