LAMB OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH
Is working through a VALUE, VISION, and MISSION Program. The program is intended
to conduct the congregation through the process of establishing new Values around
which Visions of the future for the congregation may be developed. The future Visions
will be brought to fruition through specific Missions focused to achieve the Visions.
The Value, Vision, Mission Program is built on a three year process. We started in early
2010 and expect to complete the Program by Spring of 2013. Below is a short status:
COMPLETED - 2010
VALUE STATEMENT
Lamb Of God Lutheran Church provides the Water of Life, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
WE OVERFLOW WITH THE WATER from our Heavenly Father as we gather in
worship, preaching, and teaching using His Means of Grace, the Bible and the
Sacraments as He commanded us. That water also comes to us with the guidance
of the Holy Spirit, as we study His Word in a wide variety of Bible-based classes for
youth and adults.
WE ARE THE CHANNEL FOR THAT WATER through the stewardship of our time,
abilities, and possessions. We offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" to our God by
using our leadership skills, prayers, and common interests to give glory and honor
to our God. We embrace the vision which God has for us and the rest of the world.
WE POUR OUT THAT WATER OF LIFE by service inside and outside of the
congregation. We focus on the spiritual, economic, physical, and social needs
of all ages. We provide love to our community through acts of service and
outreach, aiding individuals, agencies and organizations. We maintain an
on-going interest in missions on a local, regional, national, and international
basis, obeying our Lord's command to make disciples of all nations.
COMPLETED - 2011
VISION DOCUMENTS
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VOTERS ASSEMBLY BOARD OF MISSIONS V+V=M REPORT (VALUE + VISION = MISSION) By – Jo Tinsley VISION SEMINAR: Held on May 21 with 33 in attendance. Morning session - presentation by Pastor Pierce. Afternoon session – Divided into 3 groups to identify what we see as visions to be accomplished the congregations 25thanniversary. SUMMARY: The three separate groups didn’t communicate during the afternoon session until each group was asked to present their visions of what we will accomplish by our 25thanniversary. It was truly a great experience to witness the Holy Spirit at work. If you will review the following spreadsheets you will find almost complete continuity between the three separate groups; e.g. highway 95 signs, support ministry in the form of Prayer, visitation, elderly care, etc., school outreach ministry, expansion to satellite facilities etc. Pastor Pierce stated he had not previously experienced a session where there was so much continuity and a predominately outreach focus. Note in the three vision listings that the anticipated accomplishments are what we can do for the community and not what we will do for ourselves. 1st VISION COMMITTEE MEETING: Held on June 15th at 6:00 p.m. Committee members: Cynde Buntemeyer, Mary Kay Schroeter, Dennis Froemming, Joy Kallio, Ed Kuerner, and Jo Tinsley. Developed a Value to Vision list using the previously developed Value Statement and newly developed Vision lists. This Value to Vision list is the tables below. Note each sheet has a column titled VALUE#. This VALUE# refers to one of the three sections of the Value Statement which supports the Vision listed. Despite how simple this activity appears in the completed tables, it required significant discussion. Your committee has made a good beginning. 2nd VISION COMMITTEE MEETING: To be held in September – date to be determined – time will be 10:00 a.m. Focus: To begin developing a News Release, dated on the 25th anniversary of our congregation, defining the services and attributes our congregation provides at that time. This News Release is to provide the Mission focus required to accomplish those services and attributes by that 25th anniversary. The goal here is to ensure the visions that we develop into mission activity are part of our core values. This helps us to be good stewards of the congregation’s assets (time, talent, and treasure). Each phase of the V + V = M development will be brought to the congregation for acceptance and commitment. Your participation and commitment are a vital part of our future.
GROUP #1:
GROUP #2:
GROUP #3
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The above V+V=M Report containing Visions defined by three groups that participated in the Vision Seminar was consolidated by the Vision Committee into one concise table show below.
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FROM VISION SEMINAR HELD 05/21/2011
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The above Consolidated Vision Results were written into a theoretical new release on Lamb of God Lutheran Church. The news release specify's the accomplishments of the church by it's 25th anniversary. The news release is to used as a guide Missions that will achieve the consolidated Visions of the church.
THEORETICAL NEWS RELEASE
Today’s News Herald
Lake Havasu City
February 24, 2023
This weekend is a special time of celebration for very active group of people in Lake Havasu City. This Sunday Lamb of God Lutheran Church will celebrate its 25th anniversary. If you have not heard of Lamb of God, you have not been in Lake Havasu very long. While starting from humble roots in the Aquatic Center in 1998, the church has grown to one of the largest churches in Lake Havasu through an active campaign by it members to reach out to the community in many and varied ways.
The church on Inca Drive, has expanded several times in the last few years to facilitate its growing congregation. The Sanctuary now seats over 600, as large as Lake Havasu High School’s Auditorium. Over 2500 local residents call Lamb of God their spiritual home, participating in older adult, family and youth ministries. First to offer an adult Vacation Bible School in January, they now run special programs for all ages year-round. Particularly interesting is the fine arts opportunities which one finds at Lamb of God. While they enjoy adult, youth, contemporary, and bell choirs, they also offer fine arts camps for youth and adults open to the community in music, painting, and other arts. Many individuals, especially children, have had their first exposure to the fine arts and music through these camps. The Christian Concert Series has brought in groups from all over the world to Lake Havasu.
One of the first churches in Lake Havasu to set up a healing ministry, graduates of Lamb of God’s programs have spread out to various churches in town and have provided the local hospitals and jails with much-needed volunteer chaplains for patients and inmates. Jim Wright, who has coordinated this program since 2009 at Lamb of God, estimated that over 2000 people have completed the program and now serve in various ways around the community.
Community involvement is very important at Lamb of God. The Social Ministry committee works with local agencies to help those in need. Food drives are on-going for the food bank, with members volunteering their time there. The church has an outreach to the VA hospitals in the area, providing supplies which the Veterans Administration does not provide to the patients. They encourage the members to participate, giving their time, abilities, and money to support the efforts of civic organizations throughout the city.
The Piecemakers, a sewing group at Lamb of God, is well-known in the community for their prayer shawls, receiving blankets, knitted hats for babies in the hospital, quilts for military men and women all over the world, VA hospital blankets, and many other unique sewing and needlework projects. Over 100 women meet in the morning and evening to quilt, knit, crochet, and sew, all the while having a fun time.
Innovation has also been a hallmark of Lamb of God. Five years ago they purchased the abandoned London Bridge RV Park, and through the efforts of the members, have transformed it into one of the “go to” spots for Christian RV owners. Weekly Bible studies, Christian concerts, and regular worship services have turned a local eyesore into a thriving RV park, with a waiting list every year for spots.
Lamb of God is responsible for several Christian symposia offered in Lake Havasu. Laity and clergy attend various classes featuring well-known speakers and authors, boosting the convention business in local hotels and eateries. Max Lucado’s appearance last year brought over 2000 visitors to Lake Havasu. This year’s keynote speaker looks to be better than last year.
The cornerstone for the activities of Lamb of God is the church building on Inca Drive. There worship services on Saturday, Sunday and Monday fill the parking lots. Wednesday night sees a wide variety of family activities offered, again filling the church. Small group studies are available every night of the week. The Master’s Men group meets Fridays at BBQ Bills restaurant on the Southside. “Some have questioned how long we will be able to stay at our Inca Drive location,” Pastor Travis Lauterbach stated. “We love the neighborhood we are in and have so many members from the homes around us that we would hate to leave this location. In response we have launched two satellite churches, on the northside and on the island, to meet the spiritual needs of the community. The worship services at the lake bring lots of boaters to the channel early on Sunday mornings. In the near future, we look to start a daughter congregation in Golden Shores, working with our fellow churches in Needles and Bullhead City.”
It is clear that much has been accomplished in the first 25 years at Lamb of God. But what is refreshing is the optimism one hears from young and old in the church. Regardless to whom you speak at Lamb of God, everyone exudes a warmth and friendliness which is seldom seen around town. “The people love their Lord Jesus and they love each other,” Pastor Lauterbach remarked, “what more can we ask?” They invite the community to join them on this Sunday to celebrate 25 years of blessings from God.
