Our Vision

God is calling us to reach deeper into our congregation and further out into our community to better know and care for one another.

Our Mission

CELEBRATE that God is with us!

GROW as Christ works in us!

SERVE as the Spirit loves through us!

Our Values

Loving God and one another

• Relational faith
• Welcoming hospitality
• Inclusive community

Intentional faith development and expression

• Experiencing God in community
• Engaging in vibrant, authentic worship
• Bringing faith to life

Active service in the community

• God-inspired action
• Collaborative, responsive engagement
• Fearless love

Practicing transformative generosity

• Intentional gratitude
• Grateful sharing
• Joyful and generous giving

Giving thanks for our history

1961

In 1961 the people of Old Immanuel Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, when closing the doors for the final time after 75 years of ministry, gave their final assets to plant a daughter congregation bearing its name way out on the edge of the cities in a small farming town called Eden Prairie.

1998

In 1998 we visioned a growing ministry. This vision successfully included:

• a new sanctuary and other building expansion
• the call for greater investment and commitment to children, youth and adult faith formation
• growing our worship and music ministry
• partnership with Vibrant Faith Ministries (formerly the Youth and Family Institute)
• focus on the 4 Faith Habits (Daily Devotions, Caring Conversations, Rituals and Traditions and Service)

2015

In early 2015 we employed four listening strategies to gather information about the health and vitality of our congregation and its leadership, the passions and concerns of members, the needs and opportunities in our community, and the style and personality of Immanuel. These tools include:

1. Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), a comprehensive survey taken by almost 400 Immanuel members, interviews with nearly 60 Immanuel members.
2. Congregational Systems Inventory (CSI) taken by lay leaders and staff from the past five years.
3. Community Listening Session that welcomed community leaders to share their visions and concerns with the congregation.
4. Leadership Summit.

These tools helped us identify congregational priorities and passions, as well as internal and external opportunities:

• Developing ministries that work toward healing those broken by life's circumstances.
• Expanding ministries that provide direct help to those living on the margins of society.
• Reaching new people and incorporating them into the life of the church.
• Creating more opportunities for people to form meaningful, faithful relationships.
• Growing how we equip people for ministry and leadership.

The reported finding make two things abundantly clear; Immanuel has much to celebrate, and is poised to do transformational ministry as we move forward.

Reasons for celebration

• Immanuel is a high energy, high satisfaction congregation. People at Immanuel are connecting with God in ways that are helping them find new meaning and purpose for life through excellent worship and ministry. Immanuel is blessed with genuine, trusted, faithful leaders. The spirit at Immanuel encourages people to greater faith and service.
• Immanuel is a healthy and balanced congregation with engaged, visionary, and effective lay and pastoral leadership. Leadership is healthy, inclusive, visionary, and effective.
• Immanuel ranks very high in seven out of eight ministry measures including hospitality, morale, governance, conflict management, readiness for ministry, engagement in education, and worship and music.