The worship service and preaching the Word is the core of our worship tradition. It is important that sermons be scripturally-based and intellectually challenging. Maintaining the quality music program is important to the congregation with a vision of expanding the program into new areas. Our vision is to nurture the worship experience with a variety of expressions.
Evangelism and a renewed effort to increase membership are required to attain the vision for the church in the near term. A new pastor will help to facilitate this process. Our initial target group will include young families in order to create a more homogeneous mix of people and families that are more reflective of the surrounding community. We should be careful that our targeted efforts do not neglect the spiritual needs of our older members.
Our continued vision is for an expanded youth and children's ministry. At every opportunity for expression, this need has been emphasized by the congregation and should be of utmost focus of our leaders and the entire congregation.
There is a need for new and expanded social events to keep the congregation connected and to encourage intergenerational interaction. The closeness of our church family should be maintained and enhanced whenever possible, as this is one of the key factors of our success as a congregation. Our vision includes more small support and study groups, as well as a mentoring program for our new youth.
 
Members of the church are very active in a number of different ministries and our real passion is service to others. We are a community of Christians seeking to expand our circle of influence based on Christian service and a welcoming attitude towards all people. Our vision is to search for opportunities to do this in the larger community where we can contribute not only our money, but our hearts and hands. We will continue to support the mission work of our Presbytery as well as the greater PCUSA through our tithing and active involvement.
Our commitment to God's work in the community and the world extends to advocacy for social justice and peace wherever these do not exist. We strive through planned events and personal involvement in known social justice causes to be informed on issues that affect the welfare and dignity of all people everywhere. Our vision is to extend our stewardship on God's behalf.
Our congregation is in favor of inclusiveness for membership and leadership for all people who profess a belief in Jesus Christ and who seek to follow Him in their lives. We strive to accept diversity in spiritual background, cultural background, and experiences, keeping an "Open Heart and Open Mind" in the service of Jesus Christ. Opportunities exist to enhance our outreach and evangelism to those who are marginalized in our community.
Our long range facilities plan includes remodeling of our Fellowship Hall and kitchen facilities. Plans are also envisioned for a memorial garden on the property.
Church finances could be an issue in implementing some of our goals and objectives. We continue to have a large debt load from the construction of the sanctuary and have had a struggle to maintain a balanced budget the last few years with a decrease in the number of pledging units and amounts pledged. We have done an exemplary job of controlling expenses wherever possible to maintain the balance between income and expenditures. In the past, the congregation has always come forward to support the ongoing operations of the church or for special projects whenever asked. We must put our trust in God that the necessary funds will become available to support our goals and objectives.
We recognize that we may not be the congregation of choice for all people in the community. Our vision for Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church is for a community where Christian life is more than attending church on Sunday, but one in seeking ways to be "in communion" with God. We will seek to learn more of God's will for all of us and demonstrate God's Love to all who come through our doors.