Just as Colonel William Light, the designer of the city of Adelaide, had a grand vision for the city more than 170 years ago, our church also has a grand vision for mission and ministry throughout South Australia.

Our vision statement says: "we seek to be an innovative, growing church proclaiming Jesus Christ, empowered by the Spirit to transform God's world".

We are breathing life into that vision through our Strategic Plan which will serve as our blueprint for mission and ministry from 2007 to 2012.

The Uniting Church SA's General Secretary Rev Dr Graham Humphris chairs the Steering Group.

“Together, let’s move Australia forward,” declared Julia Gillard.

Sorry to put you through that again. But I’d like to point out that, despite its over-use, the phrase “moving forward” is actually quite appropriate for describing our Strategic Plan.

Not only is it our vision for mission and ministry for 2007 - 2012, the Strategic Plan seeks to help us, as a Church, move forward together.

Importantly, we’re not just moving forward in any old direction for the sake of movement or being seen to do something.

The Plan helpfully defines how and in what direction our Church moves, through our six key directions and their objectives.

Ultimately, the Plan enables us to move closer to the vision statement. If the Uniting Church SA truly seeks to be “an innovative, growing church, proclaiming Jesus Christ, empowered by the Spirit to transform God’s world”, then we need to know how we’re going to get there.

We get there by focussing on fostering conversion growth, raising leaders, growing disciples, developing fresh expressions, raising our profile and championing justice.

Since the Plan was launched, the progress in these areas has been exciting to watch.

This website describes how this is happening, while (we hope) inspiring you to join in as we continue moving forward with deliberate steps towards realising our vision statement.
 

The 2007 - 2012 strategic plan is about you. Members of Uniting Church congregations. As a Church, the plan guides us and allows us to take steps to achieve the vision set before us.

If your church has been engaging with the strategic plan - we want to hear about it! When we share our stories (whether our action could be seen as successful or not) we building knowledge, encourage one another and inspire each other to action. 

Perhaps a specific key direction has been especially relevant for your church, or a few, and things have happened as a result - let us know and we can post your story in the news section of the website. 

If you'd like to learn more about how the strategic plan is useful for your congregation, take some time to look at the activities and goals of the key directions. Contact team leaders and express your interest.

We look forward to seeing where the plan has taken congregations so far, and where we could go in the future. 

Who to contact:

Communications Unit

(08) 8236 4249
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Welcoming church - shoppers, church - hoppers and everyone in between

5 things you probably didn't realise about welcoming... (click to read more)

Have you ever thought seriously about how people are welcomed into your church?

Have you been at your congregation for so long you’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel new?

When was the last time you visited another congregation – and felt totally out of place or unfamiliar with its practices?

The truth is, when people decide to come to church – be it for the first time, or the annual Christmas visit – it’s a big step into the great unknown. I’m sure the questions haunting visitors range from what if people are watching me? Will I wear the right clothes? Will anyone talk to me after the service? What if they have communion, how will I know what to do? and more.