The Fountain Park Church vision is to be a missional community focused primarily on outreach and ministry to families and individuals in the Seven Fields and surrounding communities in western Pennsylvania. We envision becoming a church that impacts, involves, and changes the lives of people from the entire region. We will work toward this by modeling Biblical Christianity not simply through vibrant worship and relevant programming, but by building relationships and being involved in the community on every level.
Click here to review a detailed explanation of the Vision Statement for Fountain Park Church.
Link to Explanation of Meaning of Vision Statement - Bottom of this document
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What does this statement mean?
"missional community" - Fountain Park Church cannot be simply a church that expects people to come to us. We must be seeking ways to become involved in the surrounding community. The "old way" of doing church involved a focus on structures and real estate. The idea was the "if we build it, they will come" model. The missional church must take issue with that. It may involve a facility to do ministry, but the idea is that we are intentionally living our lives in and among those around us in such a way that they desire the Jesus we serve and are willing to be with us as we are with them. Facilities are a means to relationship and a means to ministry never the focus of the staff, the leaders, or anyone who belongs to Fountain Park. A missional church's focus is to continually ask where they can be among the people in the community.
"focused primarily on outreach and ministry to families and individuals in the Seven Fields and surrounding communities in Western Pennsylvania" - A true community of faith must have a "home." For now, Fountain Park Church's home is Seven Fields, Adams Ridge, Mars, and Cranberry. We plan and expect to draw folks from other areas, but we will be intentional about being a missional community in our home base. Outreach and ministry planning will have a focus that seeks to address this home base.
"a church that impacts, involves, and changes the lives of folks from the entire region" - A missional community is attractive. It makes folks want to join. There is a sense of purpose. People quickly realize that they matter; they are not simply a number for a church/pastor seeking the mega church model. Because of that realization, people from outside of the primary home area will seek to become a part. Many will be willing to travel to participate. Our missional focus locally and the desire of people to become a part will lead to growth. We will ever remind ourselves that there is always room for one more.
"modeling Biblical Christianity" - Our lifestyle in daily life will be our most important method of evangelism. Everyone belonging to Fountain Park Church must allow those in daily life and in intentional relationships to see "Jesus with skin on."
"not simply by vibrant worship and relevant programming" - Worship and programs are still a part of a missional community; but it is not the primary focus. Being the "outdoor church" is the primary focus. However, we will make every effort to see that our worship is vibrant, our teaching is effectual and our programs relevant to the community needs. But we will never make what happens when we gather more important than what happens when we separate to our daily lives.
"building relationships" - We are not simply asking them to join us in our world; we will seek ways to join them in theirs.
"being involved in every level of the community" - We will challenge everyone belonging to Fountain Park on their involvement in the 167 hours a week when they are not with other Christians in a worship gathering.
