Hi Steve...as one of the authors of the Framework document, just wanted you to know that WM/HM staff are using the next few months leading to April board meetings to begin to give clarity about what the new agency will look like. This will certainly get us into more of the nuts and bolts of how we will be equipped to come alongside of congregations and partners.
And yes, although the framework does seem quite conceptual and the process perhaps a bit slow - it reflects a lot of input and feedback from staff and stakeholders over the last five months. Having buy in and clarity about vision, values, postures etc. will go a long way towards shaping a new organizational culture and living into a new way to serve congregations and leaders as we step into mission together.
We share your passion to see all of this translate into becoming an agency that learns to come alongside our congregations and leaders to do 'kingdom building' work! Thanks for your comments as we work towards this.
Some churches in Ontario that I am aware of that are exploring this very thing:
Faith CRC - Burlington
Maranatha CRC -Cambridge
Discovery Church, Maranatha CRC, Rehoboth CRC - exploring this together in Bowmanville.
The Village Church - Thorold, ON
The Journey - Kitchener, ON
Community CRC - Kitchener
Forest City Community Church - London, ON
I am sure there are still others that are trying to figure out how mid sized communities can fit/overlap with existing congregational models. It's going to be exciting to see what comes out of all of this!
Thanks for this Greg! What I appreciated the most about your '12 reasons' was your reminder for us to think of ways God is already at work in those we meet, including Muslims.
Isn't it great that the triune God is always at work in this world ahead of us and if we are willing, offers us daily opportunities to share with others our unique relationship with God that has come to us through Jesus with those we meet!
You have done us a favour by reminding us of some common human bridges that if we are wise enough to recognize them as we interact with Muslims will enable us to become more effective witnesses for the living Jesus.
Posted in: Organizational Framework for a New Mission Agency
Hi Steve...as one of the authors of the Framework document, just wanted you to know that WM/HM staff are using the next few months leading to April board meetings to begin to give clarity about what the new agency will look like. This will certainly get us into more of the nuts and bolts of how we will be equipped to come alongside of congregations and partners.
And yes, although the framework does seem quite conceptual and the process perhaps a bit slow - it reflects a lot of input and feedback from staff and stakeholders over the last five months. Having buy in and clarity about vision, values, postures etc. will go a long way towards shaping a new organizational culture and living into a new way to serve congregations and leaders as we step into mission together.
We share your passion to see all of this translate into becoming an agency that learns to come alongside our congregations and leaders to do 'kingdom building' work! Thanks for your comments as we work towards this.
Posted in: Implementing "Missional Communities" in an Established CRC Setting
Hi Andrew:
Some churches in Ontario that I am aware of that are exploring this very thing:
Faith CRC - Burlington
Maranatha CRC -Cambridge
Discovery Church, Maranatha CRC, Rehoboth CRC - exploring this together in Bowmanville.
The Village Church - Thorold, ON
The Journey - Kitchener, ON
Community CRC - Kitchener
Forest City Community Church - London, ON
I am sure there are still others that are trying to figure out how mid sized communities can fit/overlap with existing congregational models. It's going to be exciting to see what comes out of all of this!
Adrian Van Giessen
Home Missions Regional Leader for Eastern Canada
Posted in: 12 Reasons to Love (and not Fear) Muslims
Thanks for this Greg! What I appreciated the most about your '12 reasons' was your reminder for us to think of ways God is already at work in those we meet, including Muslims.
Isn't it great that the triune God is always at work in this world ahead of us and if we are willing, offers us daily opportunities to share with others our unique relationship with God that has come to us through Jesus with those we meet!
You have done us a favour by reminding us of some common human bridges that if we are wise enough to recognize them as we interact with Muslims will enable us to become more effective witnesses for the living Jesus.