Overarching Goals For Our Church

1. Location: To maintain our present Church plant and adjacent Bostonview Apartments, 140 Bowdoin Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, MA in perpetuity, in order to maintain our historical place and marked visibility in the surrounding community.

Task for Implementation of Goal: To properly maintain and, where warranted, improve our Church plant and facility. To maintain and improve the Church plant and facility in a manner that maintains its structural and design integrity, and which compliments the historic and beautiful character of the Beacon Hill area. The BSNJ is also working to have the Church facility listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and also to have it recognized as a stop of the Freedom Trail.

2. Theological Stance: To maintain, as a nondenominational, independent, and interreligious Swedenborgian Church. To conduct public worship enlisting the Bible, the writings of Swedenborg, and other inspired works. (See “Church Bylaws”~ The Church on the Hill)

Task Example: To teach and preach the philosophy of Emanuel Swedenborg and embrace its relevancy to modern times; to maintain interreligous activities and outreach to the surrounding community.

3. Uses-Stewardship: To maintain our Church community and outreach services in accordance with Swedenborg’s Doctrine of Uses; i.e., service to the beloved community of Church members and friends, and to the Greater Boston area.

Task Example: In keeping with our tradition that charity begins at home, to be of service – while practicing judicious and responsible use of Church resources – to Church members and others in need in the Boston area.

4. Envisioning: To enhance, keep viable, and expand our Church programs and services to our Church community and the Greater Boston community.

Task Example: Officers, Directors, Pastors, and Council/Trustees will ensure that the goals are met, and tasks are implemented and carried forth through periodic studies and need assessments.