Mission and Vision Statement
Immanuel Lutheran Church — Joplin, Missouri
Grounded in Christ + Guided by Grace + Growing to Serve
IMMANUEL’S MISSION PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
We pray to see the future as You see it so we may live the present as You will it.
We pray we may be grounded in Christ as a Lutheran Congregation and guided by Your grace as we walk in forgiveness.
We pray we are growing continually in faith as servants in Christ’s Kingdom proclaiming the Gospel.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Vision Statement
It is the duty and purpose of the members of Immanuel Lutheran Church to continually promote obedience and commitment to God’s Word and to communicate the Grace, Mercy and Peace of the Triune God.
As Children of God, saved solely by grace through faith, Immanuel Lutheran Church will, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit —
Accept with an open heart and without reservation the inspired Word of God. Profess our faith through the Holy Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism, and in accordance with the confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)
As Children of God, saved solely by grace through faith, Immanuel Lutheran Church will, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit —
Prayerfully seek to offer opportunities to worship God, study his Holy Word, and grow in our understanding of the proper application of the Law and Gospel. Recognize the Church as one ministry with many branches reaching Christ’s community. Respectfully encourage and nurture each other through fellowship in Christ’s love. Joyously support our Christian Day School, dynamic youth program, and family ministry as we build our church body for all generations.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 (ESV)
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
As Children of God, saved solely by grace through faith, Immanuel Lutheran Church will, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit —
Live Christ’s Great Commission with creativity and vigor to Proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Seek to grow individually and collectively in our Christian faith and serve as good stewards of our time talents and treasures, ever mindful of His Gift of Eternal Life. As Christ’s disciples, we must defend against complacency, being passionately diligent in spreading God’s Word to the community and the world.
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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
The foundation of Immanuel Lutheran Church must surely be God’s Holy Word as seen in the teachings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. This, our vision, has been prayerfully received to be God’s Grace-guided direction for our future.