Mission Principles of the Great Lakes Region/RCA

1. Mission Principles of the Great Lakes Region/RCA Best way to pursue the Mission Best way to pursue the Vision Best indicators of fruitfulness How we “be” with each other and the world Aligned around Foundation… we differ elsewhere. Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values Key things we know are true but can’t prove Given to all of us by God What is MOST important to us

2. Mission The reason we exist… given to us by God The church of Jesus Christ exists to fulfill the Great Commandments and the Great Commission (Love God, Love Others, Make Disciples) OUR MISSION:Develop thriving, missional and reproducing churches in the Great Lakes Region/RCA. Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

3. Key Beliefs Things we know are true but can’t be proven to others Jesus Christ is building his church (Ma 16:18) Jesus is Lord! The church of Jesus Christ exists to fulfill the Great Commandments (Matthew 22: 37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 18-20). It is the central calling of the church to consistently place participation in God’s mission at the center of its life and ministry and to choose God’s mission before treasured traditions, personal preferences and rooted relationships. Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

4. Key Beliefs cont. Things we know are true but can’t be proven to others 4. Regarding faithful and fruitful ministry in the twenty-first century, our congregations have only two options: deep systemic transformational change (Luke 5: 36-38) or slow death. As we establish a new level of equilibrium, there will be conflict. Therefore, conflict management and peace- making skills are essential to the transformation process, so that conflict can be life-enhancing, not life threatening. Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

5. Key Beliefs cont. Things we know are true but can’t be proven to others 5. People experience transformation into Christ-likeness by embracing the wonder of the GOSPEL of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, “For God shows his love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) A sign of this transformation will be increased love for God and other people, by the power of the Holy Spirit . 6. Personal transformation of the various types of congregational leaders through the GOSPEL of God’s grace in Jesus Christ precedes congregational transformation. (Romans 12: 1-2) Therefore, as go the leaders, so goes the congregation. (Acts 6: 1-7) Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

6. Key Beliefs cont. Things we know are true but can’t be proven to others 7. Since the journey of personal and congregational transformation is God’s work, we will undergird all we are and do in prayer. (Matthew 9: 35-38) 8. The best way to strengthen a church is to participate in starting a new congregation. 9. The most effective evangelistic tool on earth is planting a new church. Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

7. Key Values Things that are MOST important to us Gospel centered ministry in both word and deed A maturing and multiplying culture of personal transformation Encouraging, equipping and empowering leaders Accountable leadership Empowered teams Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

8. Vision The best way to pursue the Mission Our Vision is to start and strengthen churches by developing leaders. Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

9. Team Aligned around Mission, Beliefs and Values Core Leadership Team (Rick Veenstra, Doug McClintic, Art Wiers) Regional Leadership Team Office Support Team(Alison DeBoer, Howard Moths, Bill VerHulst) Transition Ministry Services (Scott Lokers, Tim Meendering) Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

10. Behaviors How we will “be” with each other and the world Come alongside congregational leaders in the field Collaborate with Kingdom partners i.e. classis leaders, GSC Staff, T & T Teams, CRCNA Multiply ourselves Discern when to engage, modify and suspend our congregational involvement Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

11. Our Ministry Plan How we will pursue the Vision Coaching, mentoring and consulting with leaders Assessing pastors and congregations Developing tranformational pastors’ networks and coaching relationships Developing Ridder Church Renewal Developing LumineX Collaboratives 6. Developing Transition Specialists Team Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

12. Strategic Metrics How we will assess our fruitfulness We look for greater Kingdom impact through these congregations as measured by: • 7. Increasing worship attendance • 8. Increasing Bible engagement • Increasing financial stewardship • Increasing prayer • Increasing missional living – personally • Increasing missional living - corporately New Christians:adult baptisms, professions of faith, re-affirmations of faith Infant baptisms New leaders New worship venues New ministry sites New congregations Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values

13. To God Be the Glory! Ministry Plan Strategic Metrics Team Vision Behaviors Key Beliefs Mission Key Values