Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

• We believe being Christian is serving as a living witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• We believe witnessing involves sharing the spoken word, meeting physical needs, and working to promote justice for all people and stewardship of all creation.

• We believe the Church is responsible for calling attention to and empowering people to witness.

“Witnessing” is:

• Service — caring for creation both locally and globally
• Evangelism — sharing the spoken message of the Gospel
• Inspiration — motivating people to share their witness
• Community Programs — being a good corporate citizen in the Lexington community

Some priorities for our witnessing ministry

A. Evangelism Program — Using many ways to connect with people and to share the gospel story

1. Need-meeting ministries/evangelism
2. Events and seminars that attract unchurched people
3. Small groups as a natural bridge for doing friendship or hospitality evangelism
4. “Market Place Evangelism” that connects with the needs of people at work
5. Music program for the community that encourages the presence of unchurched persons
6. Worship services that teach the gospel of salvation and encourage a response to the invitation to a profession of faith
7. Recreation that uses recreational facilities to reach the community through programs like “Upward Basketball,” community programs, and open facilities
8. Family and individual counseling

Child Care Ministry — Providing a quality child care ministry

• Connecting with the staff, parents, and children, and thereby having some grasp of the people’s personal, physical and spiritual needs
• Reaching out to people who have gifts and a love for children
• Offering appropriate venues for volunteer work through “Our Child Care Ministry”
• Responding to community needs for quality children’s services

Senior Ministry — Providing a quality ministry to the aging.

• “Parish Nurse” program
• Grandparents Day Out
• Community-based programs for seniors
• Wellness programs
• Eldercare

Missions Program — Helping people to find their mission, to make missions happen locally and through the larger organizations with whom we have partnered

• Missions experiences locally
• Mission Trips — age groups and intergenerational
• Community ministry
• Addressing community issues

Ecumenical Witness — Working with other congregational entities

Neighborhood Witness — Engaging the neighborhood in opportunities for worship and fellowship