From October 2005 through May 2006, our family of believers took part in what we called ‘The Vision Process,’ which resulted in the statement above.  ‘Vision Process’ is not a very exciting name we admit, but the experience was invaluable in setting the direction for UA for many years to come.  

 

Starting with the very simple question, “What is God calling us to do with all the gifts he has given our church family,” we spent months exploring, discussing, studying scripture, and praying about this question.  As we considered such things as our location, our history, our resources, our passions, and our personalities, four ‘focus areas’ rose to the top (These are listed below.  They also appear on every page of this website).  These areas did not come from the elders or the ministers or from some trendy new book, but from God’s people at UA as they considered God’s call on their lives.

 

It also became apparent in the process that we should list our common ‘vision values,’ those ideas and beliefs we want to hold firm as we pursue these focus areas (these are also listed below).

 

In the years to come you can expect us to pursue these ‘focus areas’ and ‘vision values’ with great enthusiasm.  Please join us as we do!

 

Focusing on the students of the University of Texas both Undergraduate and Graduate students.  

 

Family groups that have and are raising children from birth to high school in whatever form they come (Blended, single-parent, traditional, adopted)… where parent-child interaction takes place.

 

Those people in our personal proximity- work and residences.

 

This includes our homeless ministry and services to be provided for those living or working downtown.

We must be AUTHENTIC in the way we live our faith.

 

We must GO OUT instead of waiting for people to come to us.

 

Our actions must show that the Gospel is RELEVANT to the culture.

 

We must be ACCEPTING of all people, encouraging them to “Come as you are”.

 

We must PARTNER with those who are already serving God’s will.

 

RELATIONSHIPS must be at the center of all we do.

“Called by God to live an authentic faith and share the gospel of Jesus Christ in a relevant way, we seek to create relationships with the communities where we live and worship.  In so doing we are accepting of all who are seeking and willing partners with those already serving God’s will.”