“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18a, King James Version)
“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves.” (Proverbs 29:18a, The Message Version)
Discerning God's Vision
Throughout 2025, the leadership of UMCC and its members and friends worked with the Superintendent of The Alaska Conference of The United Methodist Church to discern its vision for who God is calling it to be.
We looked at our history. We examined the demographics of our community. We shared our values and personality, all the things that seem to make us "us." The goal was to determine how we should envision our future together.
We had done this before. But, we are in a different place now. Our community is different. Our membership is different. And, therefore, our vision needed to be different as we try to shape our ministry, are focus, our calling, going forward.
We already have a mission in The United Methodist Church:
“To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
That mission is foundational. It is functional. But what about our current context? What about the people we have now and the community around us?
So, after much prayer, worship, discussion, and wordsmithing, our Administrative Council approved a new vision for our current reality at The United Methodist Church of Chugiak. It looks back on where we have been and shapes where it is that we believe we need to go in the future.
We settled on three foci, three areas, three priorities, three characteristics of who we are. They are.
Many paths. One table. Christ at the center.
This recognizes the diversity of perspectives that have long called UMCC their church home while still being able to gather at communion together, and be engaged in ministry. And this recognizes that Christ--Christ's life, teaching, and grace--is central to who we are and what we are called to be.
Our preamble to our Vision states:
At the United Methodist Church of Chugiak, we believe that every person—YES—every person—has a place at God’s table.
Centered in Christ and rooted in community, we are a sacred gathering space for courageous questions, bold unity, and deep belonging. We seek common ground: welcoming all into thoughtful faith, compassionate connection, and shared hope.
Together, we reserve space for grace-filled dialogue, transformative love, and the kind of church where many journeys find one home.
Below, you can find a summary of each of these three areas.
We come from different places and stories, yet God weaves our journeys together in love and purpose. We seek relationships with each other and our community, honoring how the Spirit is at work in every life and every path.
All are welcome here. At Christ’s table, strangers become neighbors and neighbors become family. Unity is not defined by sameness, but by shared commitment to care for one another, to serve together, and to love with the love of Christ.
Jesus grounds our worship, shapes our service, and guides our steps. In all we do, Christ remains our center. We seek to nurture a spiritual depth that sustains our outward welcome and inward community life, beginning and ending with the Divine.
You can read the full text of our vision; who we believe God is calling us to be.
What's Next for Our Vision?
Going forward, we will seek to be guided by our vision.
Many paths. One table. Christ at the center.
We'll ask questions like the following:
- How are we making Christ the center of who we are and what we do?
- How does the person and work of Christ shape our lives and the ministries we wish to be involved in?
- What sermon series or studies will help us grow closer to Christ?
- How are we honoring the sacredness of each person?
- What paths, perspectives, people do we need to listen to or work with in our community?
- Can we make space for all people in the divided and divisive times in which we live?
- What are the ways we can come together, finding unity that doesn't have to mean "sameness?"
- Who do we need to work harder to include in ministry and mission?
- What are the "tables" in our community where we should find a seat to build relationships?