|
In 1995, 120 Church of God leaders from across North America
gathered for a Visioning Retreat. After much prayer and dialogue, they embraced six vision statements to guide the movement
in the twenty-first century.The following statements, now a part of the mission and vision statement of Church of God Ministries,
declare what the Church of God reformation movement in North America exists to accomplish. The Church of God exists to...Worship the Lord
Reach the Lost
Disciple Believers
Equip for
Ministry
Celebrate Unity
Live Out the Love of Christ
Worship the Lord
The Church
of God exists to... - Focus on New Testament meanings of corporate and private
worship
- Provide opportunities for persons to worship in varying styles
- Continue
to strive toward renewal in our understanding and practice of worship
- Prepare clergy and laity
of all ages to lead the local church in worship
"Worship is something that we give to God,
and so it has to
be the very best that we have."Reach the LostThe Church of God exists
to... - Practice global evangelism with the goal of winning the world to Jesus Christ
- Seek the
lost by equipping laity for personal evangelism and creating outreach ministries
- Communicate the gospel
throughout the world through...
- Broadcasting via radio and other media
- Commissioning
missionaries at home and abroad
- Planting new churches
- Revitalizing evangelism
training and materials
"The opportunity
to reach millions of souls who have never heard the gospel of Jesus is a tremendous responsibility, challenge, and blessing." |
Disciple Believers The Church of God exists
to... - Preach, teach, and practice biblical holiness
- Provide continuing discipleship
opportunities for believers of all ages
- Develop small groups and small group leaders with a focus on
discipleship
- Provide discipleship materials to guide believers into Christian maturity
- Prepare
young people for a life of faith and service through Church of God colleges
- Provide periodicals,
curriculum, and other materials that challenge believers to Christian growth and biblical holiness
- Equip
clergy and laity to develop discipling programs in the local church
- Sponsor conferences and workshops that provide
spiritual enrichment and in-depth Bible study
"Discipleship is the fulfillment of the Great Commission--making disciples."Equip for MinistryThe Church of God exists
to... - Focus on six aspects of leadership development:
- Biblical and theological
foundations
- Ethical and relational awareness
- Leadership and organizational principles
- Enabling and equipping others for ministry
- Providing opportunities
for practical experience
- Support seminary education as an effective means to prepare for ministry
- Provide
scholarships for persons preparing for the pastoral ministry and entering continuing education programs
- Provide
training programs and materials to equip laity for ministry
- Strive to empower people of all ages
for works of service by:
- developing seminars, symposiums, and training materials
- providing
workshops to help believers discover their spiritual giftedness
- publishing books that offer doctrine,
theology, Christian training, and inspiration
"We have to get to the point where we are constantly looking for
those who can come and
continue or create ministry." |
Celebrate UnityThe Church of God exists
to... - Preach, teach, and practice the oneness of the body of Christ
- Celebrate
the unity and diversity of the body of Christ
- Embrace ethnic diversity and unity in practical and
visible forms
- Seek out dialogue and partnerships among congregations, agencies, parachurch organizations, and other
church bodies to multiply the work and effectiveness of the Church
"We have one Savior and he has one church
and he has given us one commission."Live Out the Love of ChristThe
Church of God exists to... - Demonstrate the tangible love of Christ in our communities
- Nurture,
heal, and strengthen families
- Provide for and enable those who need shelter, food, and medicine
- Care for the "least of these" (children, the poor, the imprisoned, the physically and
mentally ill, the oppressed, etc.)
- Proclaim and practice prayer for divine healing
- Seek justice in local, national, and international communities
- Seek to discover and minister
to current needs in our churches and communities
Visit www.chog.org for more information. |
|
