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About the Church
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The name of our church (Slifers) comes from the family who donated land in 1816. In 1819 two congregations (the German Reformed and the Lutheran) began meeting together in a log structure. In 1954 Slifers Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations merged and became a Presbyterian Church. This congregation is in the process of celebrating 181 years of service. The present structure was built in 1896 and seats approximately 250 people. The educational building was built in 1962, which includes the pastor study and library. While we are in a rural farming community that draws its membership from about a ten-mile diameter area, the downtown Dayton area is within 15 miles. Our congregation has a dedicated core of active members that we draw from the surrounding area and nearby small towns. We are involved within the community with mission support and responsiveness to special needs. We also participate in Vacation Bible School and community church services with other local churches.
We are friendly people; willing to grow and accept new challenges, share our faith within our immediate and church family and a dedicated commitment to faith. Our musical praise consists of adult and children choirs, hand bell choir and special music. Some of the talents that our membership shares are that of good leadership, teachers and supporters and team players. We have great respect for each other, a fond appreciation of our children and are not afraid to laugh, cry or clap.
Most of our activities involve food and fun, an annual Ice Cream Social, Turkey Supper, an Outdoor Service in the summer, a bonfire in the fall, monthly retirees breakfast and a monthly Supper Club. We also have several active Bible Study groups, PW and a Youth group. Several youth attend Kirkmont Center, a Presbyterian camp during each summer.
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MISSION & VISION STATEMENT
We recently went through a mission study called Percepts. As a result of that study we have a new vision for our mission; and we have developed mission strategies for the next three years.
Mission Statement
Jesus Christ is the HEAD of the church. As the BODY of Christ, Slifers Church will be His HANDS. We will use our hands to pray, help and heal. We will be His FEET. We will use our feet to carry forth the Good News. We will be His HEART. We will show compassion and love to one and all.
Vision Statement
We envision Slifers being a church that...
...Welcomes every person as a child of God.
...Gathers to praise and honor God through worship.
...Is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
...Seeks God's will through prayer.
...Shares the Good News with all people.
...Lives its faith enthusiastically and reflects God's love in its actions.
...Provides Christian concern for each other.
...Responds to the needs of our community in the name of Christ.
Three Year Strategic Plan for 2006-08
Scripture foundation
Jeremiah 29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Luke 10:29-37 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likwise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Purpose
As we seek to follow Jesus more faithfully, we want to 'love our neighbors' in real and tangible ways. But, we confess that we barely know our closest neighbors. Therefore, we are making a commitment to meet all of our nearest neighbors, to learn about their needs (spiritual, physical, social), and to discover if Slifers Church has a role to play in the neighborhood.
Year 1 - Meet the Neighbors
Could include door-to-door canvassing, fun & food nights at
the church where groups of neighbors are invited, welcome
packages to new residents, etc. Focus on getting to know
them and letting them get to know us.
Year 2 - Begin to fill needs
Possibly offer classes such as parenting, AA, or whatever
there might be a need for. Possibly child care or elder
respite care. Possibly a teen gathering place. Expand the
neighborhood boundaries.
Year 3 - Build on Year 2 programs
Vision: By the end of Year 3, we have a presence in our immediate neighborhood, we have new friends, and we have found our niche - a work that God is calling us to do. Once we find that niche, we hope to discover that our neighborhood has no boundaries.
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OUR BELIEFS
All we are and all we do at Slifers are based on theological and Biblical foundations. At this time, we identify the following beliefs as basic to our understanding of ourselves and as those convictions which give us direction:
1. We believe that Christ is the Head of the church.
“Christ is the head of the body, the church.” --Col. 1.18
The whole worldwide church makes up the Body of Christ. We are part of that Body. We receive our direction and our orders from Christ.
2. We believe that Jesus is our Savior.
“Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior.”--Eph. 5.23; “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” --Acts 4.12
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are promised hope for this life and the next. Through his death, Christ atoned for our sins. Through his resurrection from the dead, he opened the gates of eternal life for all who believe.
3. We believe that God created and loves all people equally.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image; according to our likeness.’”
--Gen. 1.26.
God welcomes all people into the kingdom and into his church. No one is inherently superior to or inferior to anyone else. Racism and sexism have no place in the church of Jesus Christ.
4. We believe that God works through us by action of the Holy Spirit.
“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit...To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” --1 Cor. 12.3, 7
By our own strength alone we cannot do God’s will or carry out the mission of the church. The Spirit of the Lord has been among us and in us. We need the Spirit’s power and wisdom.
5. We believe that prayer is the essential communication with God.
“...persevere in prayer.” --Rom. 12.12; “...pray without ceasing.” --1 Thess. 5.17; “
When we cry, ‘Abba, Father,’ it is the Spirit of God bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” --Rom. 8.15-16.
Prayer is our connection with God. The Christian life is a personal relationship with God. Persons talk to each other and listen to each other. Prayer is our conversation with God, though not always in verbal form. As we pray for one another, we grow in our communion with God and with each other.
6. We believe that joy in our faith translates into loving, caring relationships.
“Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope.” --Rom. 12.9-12; “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, ‘rejoice.’ Let your gentleness be known to everyone.”
--Phil. 4.4-5.
We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. The joy we have found in the Lord overflows into our manner of relating to others in the church and in the world.
7. We believe that the Bible is the source of our understanding of the will of God.
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” --2 Tim. 3.16; “They examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.” --Act. 17.11
The Bible is the written record of God’s revelation to us. When we read, hear and study the Bible with faith and with the enlightening guidance of the Holy Spirit, God speaks to us and gives direction to our lives.
8. We believe that worship is the means of being in tune with God’s Spirit.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” --John 4.24.
Worship is central to the Christian life. When the church gathers to give praise and to hear and taste God’s Word, we are bonded together as sisters and brothers in Christ. Through our worship, we are strengthened to be the Body of Christ in the world.
9. We believe that we are to be disciples of Christ.
“Jesus said to them: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” --Mk. 8.34.
We have professed Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We are to be obedient to his word and live the kind of lives that show forth his love. Wherever Christ calls us to go, we are ready to go; whatever he calls us to do, we are ready to do. Jesus Christ is Lord!
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