7. Vision
Presbyterians joyfully engaging in God’s mission
for the transformation of the world.
Mission
Inspire, equip and connect the PC(USA) in its
many expressions to serve Christ in the world
through new and existing communities of faith,
hope, love and witness.
A major storm causes devastation in the east coast.
Young people hear God’s call to serve – as they listen for God’s call on their lives.
Two pastors are inspired with a vision to create a new worshiping community.The church responds – These are but a few of the ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Let me say more:
We have a new name6 years ago – GAC4 years ago added “mission” to our nameNow – a name that describes GA asked us to develop an identity – so now we have a new look.
We envision Presbyterians joyfully engaging in God’s transformation of the world.
And our role in that – role in the church is to inspire, equip and connect [mission]There is much to share in mission, and I’ll speak of three.
Who here has had PDA respond in their presbytery?Who has volunteered, or had volunteers from your congregation?PDA – certainly one of the church’s flagship ministries.
When tornado . . . shooting . . .We watch in horror. We can feel so helpless. What can I do?PDA is one way we do help. Sometimes, just knowing what is happening – so we can pray
Sometimes, contributing money – knowing it will be used wisely and wellSometimes volunteering
Since the beginning of this year, PDA has responded to disasters — both natural and human-caused —in 41 mid-councils in 28 states and has also responded to disasters in 13 countries internationally. In the U.S., More than 5,500 volunteers have contributed 200,632 hours of labor.
On October 31st, Hurricane Sandy devastated the east coast.The impact was broad. One of the largest storms ever recorded, which leaves behind wide-spread destruction and long-term recovery.
PDA immediately responded by deploying teams to New York City and New Jersey. Churches and camps have stepped up to help shelter disaster responders and feed the displaced.
We have created a place on the web site for people to share their stories.The response has been overwhelming, but inspiring.
There are stories of worshiping by candlelight, volunteers stepping forward with food and shelter, and small miracles of survival reveal the power of our connectedness -- a very present help in times of trouble.
PDA is an example of all parts of the church working together to do what no one part can do aloneNationalPresbyteryCongregationsOGHS
What else can you do?More help will be needed. Recovery will take a long time and that’s a hallmark of PDA – we are in it for the long term– pray, call volunteer line, keep up with updates on presbyterianmission.org/pda, GIVE – ACT - PRAY
So much need in the church and the world. How do we decide?Question we ask in determining where to focus our efforts, where to devote our resources – “what can we do best that the church most needs?” Just been through a comprehensive strategic planning – hundreds of conversations, focusing on a few key areas. One of those - Young Adults. Critical time of lifeHaven‘t held on Reviewing collegiate - UKIRKMany young want to serve
Young Adult Volunteer program provides options.Currently there are 55 young adults around the globe serving communities in need while living out their own faith journey.
We have a goal to triple that.Young adults are hungry to put their faith into action.We will encourage and connect 1000 worshiping communities to respond to that hunger by sponsoring young adultsin a season of service. This “season” can happen in a variety of ways (YAV, internships, PDA, camps & conference centers, etc). We also want to resource mid councils and congregations so they can more effectively engage in ministry with young adults.Developing a “toolkit” that will help those who are interested in engaging young adults articulate clearly “why” they want to and provide opportunities for connection.The church is in a time of reformation, and young adults are the ones to lead it.Share a video regarding young adult volunteers in Northern Ireland – A Ministry of Reconciliation.
Anyone hear about 1001?We didn’t initiate. Saw what God is doing – noticed NWC. Pittsburgh, Georgia (22 in 5 years), California, middle of the country – vibrant new ministries. Some unconventional. We put a name to it – General Assembly endorsed the challenged all to join the movement to start 1001, and we’ve been excited to see the enthusiasm grow.Synod Mid America – announced grant program - $600,000 for NWC. Pittsburgh Seminary + presbyteryOur Korean churches are meeting next week in So. California to discuss their involvement in 1001.The opportunity is huge.“The unchurched population in the US is so extensive that, if it were a nation it would be the 5th most populated nation on the planet. Thus, our unchurched population is the largest mission field in the English speaking world.” Clegg and Bird, Lost in America.Before I say more, we can’t have a strong movement of new without healthy established congregations.We do a lot with existing congregations – curriculum,Engage evangelism resource,help presbyteries with RE congregations and fellowshipsNew Beginnings – 50 congregationsNWCs help existing ones too – Vera White says…Church planting renews and revitalizes established churches because it connects them to the mission of God in their neighborhood, while fanning into the flame the missional Spirit of God in the local congregation. That excitement washes back into the life of the established church. NWCs are not competition or negation of established churches but an essential part of a healthy ministry. They provide an opportunity to explore new ways of being the church. Not everything worksbut much of what it learned through experimentation and innovation informs the way the church will look in the future. Presbyteries play an important role in this. Presbyteries can create some space for NWCs to grow by encouragement, connection, partnership, and by cutting through some of the bureaucracy in order to give them room to thrive.Also presbyteries should not be afraid to keep NWCs accountable. While experimentation is to be encouraged, new worshiping communities need clear accountability structures and high expectations. Anything does not go. Sound theology and good organizational practices are essential.We all have a role in this movement to inspire, equip and connect the church in the movement.
First, we brought Vera White onto our team. She has been traveling around.
Inspire and connect:We have already held 4 "get in the game events" (So Cal, Virginia, Chicago, Dubuque), and we have plans in the works to hold at least 3 more (Houston, Seattle, Puerto Rico) - with more requests coming in weekly.
Equip:Announced last week a new grant program, using funds that have been freed up fro this purpose: Grants - providing 3 stages of Grants (Seed of $7,500... Investment of $17,500... and Wow! of $25,000) to nwc's at various stages of their development.
Equipping Leadership - providing funds for training, internships, coaching, and company of new worshiping community shepherds)Debt forgiveness – Vocation has shifted Aid for Studies to Aid for Service, offering debt forgiveness for those who launch new ministry initiatives.Inspire:I want to show you a video – one of a dozen 1001 videosTogether – church serving Christ in the worldCompassionate disciples responding to disaster and needNurturing young peopleStarting new – reach unchurched, young, old, etc.Gather and sendLet’s watch
