The Mission and Vision of the Diocese of Oregon

Diocesan Vision Statement

Gathered in the love of God in Christ and accepting of diversity, the Diocese of Oregon actively nourishes renewal and growth, cares for creation, and values the unique gifts of all as we encourage innovation to meet the needs of the 21st century church. We ground our lives in Anglican worship while connecting ourselves to the wider church and world.

Diocesan core values

We live out our mission and vision as a Christian community guided by these core values:

• Centering our lives in the Baptismal Covenant
• Living in and sharing God’s abundance in thankfulness for the riches we have
• Practicing resurrection: living in the open expectation of the new thing God is doing at all times and in all places
• Responding compassionately to those in need
• Nurturing children and youth in faith, hope, and love
• Caring for, protecting, and defending all of God’s creation
• Seeking and inviting the unique gifts of all our members
• Listening deeply, speaking honestly and with respect
• Mediating our disagreements, misunderstandings, and concerns through reconciliation and forgiveness
• Continuing to increase our knowledge of and commitment to what it means to live in God’s realm
• Support Episcopal Relief & Development and Millennium Development Goals

Diocesan Mission Plan

Our mission and vision statements speak broadly and compellingly about our identity as a community, an identity that is informed by a prayerful reading of Holy Scripture and the Book of Common Prayer. However, that identity only becomes visible to us and others as it is clarified through specific and strategic directions that inform our work together.

Through this work, our relationships deepen and expand, allowing us to include more individuals and to become wiser in our witness to Jesus. Our work will be focused in four strategic directions: congregational life, diocesan mission, leadership development, and Gospel justice.

The four areas are explained below. Descriptions and high-level goals appear below each area. The next level – specific actions that support these goal areas – have also been identified so that they in turn, be adopted, measured, and accomplished by groups and individuals. The Mission Document that includes these specific actions can be found below.

Download: Mission Plan

Congregational life

“Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the Realm of God and to heal.”   –Luke 9:1-2

Strengthen and support congregational life: We strengthen congregational life to nourish the unique gifts of witness found in communities throughout the diocese. To accomplish this we will:

1. Create a diocesan learning environment so that the best practices of Christian community become everyday actions.
2. Prioritize diocesan resources to serve the needs of congregations.
3. Develop parish partnerships to enrich our knowledge base and deepen our relationships.
4. Facilitate transition processes in congregations to strengthen parish ministry. 

Diocesan mission

 “But if it is by the spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the Realm of God has come to you.”   –Matthew 12:28

Strengthen and support diocesan capacity for mission: We implement and effect organizational structures to allow time and energy to be directed to the work of ministry. To accomplish this we will:

1. Implement effective and creative management structures to clarify roles, streamline operations, and use resources wisely.
2. Streamline financial management in order to use resources wisely.
3. Promote ministries to diverse communities and underserved populations to deepen these relationships and learn more fully who God is calling us to be.

Leadership development

“Then the King will say to those on his right hand, come, you that are blessed by my father, inherit the Realm prepared for you from the foundation of the World.”   –Matthew 25:34

Develop missional leadership: We develop strong leaders to nourish unique gifts that increase our capacity to proclaim the Realm and live Gospel lives. To accomplish this we will:

1. Celebrate the gifts of our lay and ordained leaders, strengthening them for mission and identifying effective models of discipleship.
2. Develop new leadership to further our ability to be effective in God’s mission.

Gospel justice

 “... and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”   –Micah 6:8

Strengthen, support, and advocate for Gospel justice: We respond to God’s call to serve all God’s people and act on behalf of those in need. We build bridges of love and respect that deepen our relationships and strengthen our communities. To accomplish this we will:

1. Rebuild global mission to enrich our experience of God’s presence everywhere.
2. Encourage and develop local mission work throughout the diocese to live out our identity as faithful witnesses to God’s love.
3. Work to end racism that God’s justice may be visible in the world.
4. Partner with ecumenical brothers and sisters to build up the Church’s witness to the world.
5. Seek positive media exposure to provide information to the larger community about who Episcopalians are and our concerns as Christians in the public arena.