Vision Statement
“Vision 2027” Strategic PlanGrace Lutheran Church
Goal 1: Grow Spiritually, Programmatically and through our Stewardship, and Engagement with People Who interact with Grace
Vision Statement: We want to grow into a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community of faith that draws visitors and new members who feel the love of God, sense our excitement, and want to share in what Jesus is doing through us as individuals and the congregation at Grace. We want Grace Lutheran to be welcoming and comfortable for all people.
Objective#1: Offer alternative worship and gathering opportunities that are appealing to younger, working, and diverse populations.
Objective#2: Make worship and gathering accommodations to members and families with disabilities including but not limited to physical disabilities and special needs, autism, ADHD, and dietary restrictions.
Objective#3: Develop and implement a plan for marketing, communication, and visibility.
Objective#4: Expand Grace programming to the community.
Staff Champion: Pastor Jonathan
Strategic Advisors: Kemper Gibson, Tom Barfield
Goal 2: Grow and Evolve Grace’s Internal Programs
Vision Statement: We want to meet our members and visitors where they are in their Faith Journeys and help them grow in God’s love through enhancements to our existing ministries and new program offerings.
Objective#1: Engage all members, especially elder members, to ensure they feel supported and purposeful.
Objective#2: Evaluate and make recommendations to be a more inclusive and equitable congregation with focus on inclusion of different minority groups and sexual orientations.
Objective#3: Expand youth programming to grow youth participation.
Objective#4: Establish a young adult ministry (Age 22-40ish.)
Objective#5: Provide support services for families to allow more participation in Graceevents.
Objective#6: Ensure our Spanish-speaking members and guests feel a sense of belonging, support, and purpose.
Staff Champions: Pastor Christina, Jill Wingard
Strategic Advisors: Amparo Acosta, Pam Wingrove
Goal 3: Grow in Service to the Community
Vision Statement: Grace Lutheran is well known in Hendersonville and throughout the larger ELCA for our focus on community service. We want to demonstrate God’s love by finding ways to grow in this area and provide even greater support to our neighbors via putting our faith into action by getting more involved in the community.
Objective#1: Designate a Grace staff position to oversee volunteerism.
Objective#2: Grow, define, and coordinate Grace’s financial commitment to community partners.
Objective#3: Grow volunteer commitment to community partners.
Objective#4: Develop a vision/strategy for Grace to have a deeper impact on Henderson County’s affordable housing needs.
Staff Champion: Kimberly Dunbar
Strategic Advisors: Tom Barfield, Kristy Sochia
Goal 4: Develop a Strategic Plan to Evolve, Enhance & Grow Grace Preschool
Vision Statement: Grace Preschool is a highly regarded and important Hendersonville institution. We want to grow this valuable service by discerning how we can demonstrate God’s love by providing even greater support for families seeking Pre-Kindergarten education and giving them a church home.
Objective#1: Create a committee to evaluate expanding current preschool offerings at Grace and propose a strategic plan for Grace Preschool.
Objective#2: More intentionally develop connections between preschool families and Grace.
Staff Champions: Beth Anne Lehr, Pastor Jonathan, Jill Wingard
Strategic Advisors: Don Schwartz, Ruth Birge
Goal 5: Develop and Implement a Mental and Behavioral Health Ministry at Grace
Vision Statement: With the growing recognition of the impact that Mental and Behavioral Health plays in society, we want to demonstrate the love of Jesus by initiating new programs and partnering with local organizations to grow in service to members and the community in this vital area.
Objective#1: Ensure all in the Grace community are aware of available trusted mental health resources within the community and beyond.
Objective#2: Partner with local organizations to support mental and behavioral health needs in the community.
Objective#3: Support the needs of members who are providing long term care and memory care.
Objective#4: Provide financial and other life skills education.
Objective#5: Partner with outside agencies to provide counseling services on site at Grace.
Staff Champion: Kimberly Dunbar
Strategic Advisors: Kristy Sochia, Rachel Cummings
People filling beautifully appointed space for vibrant worship experiences where worshipers of all generations encounter God’s life-transforming grace.
Each person is connected and nurtured in smaller groups while strengthening relationships within the larger church family.
The mature in faith find renewed vitality and joy in mentoring the faith of younger believers. Sharing the faith and growing disciples of Jesus Christ are giving and contagious passions among members and their families. Grace is a beehive of ministries, buzzing with preschoolers, study groups, service groups, recreational and community groups – each growing in faith in their own unique way.
A multitude of Spirit-led, equipped servants streams forth into Henderson County and beyond, bringing the love of Jesus to life among members and others in the community.
This work of the people of Grace is centered in and radiates out from a well-equipped, attractive facility designed to advance growing ministries shepherded by a passionate team of well-trained, committed staff and lay leaders.
