Synod of the Great Lakes - Convictions

Do you ever wonder about the role of denominations? I recently received a document with the following vision that is extremely encouraging to me about the direction of the Reformed Church in America, specifically the region our church is in, the Synod of the Great Lakes. I hope this encourages (and even challenges) you. See if your convictions resonate with these.

OUR CALL:
Following Christ in mission together, led by the Holy Spirit, and working with all the partners God provides, we believe that God is calling the Reformed Church in America over the next ten years to focus its efforts and resources on
- starting new congregations and
- revitalizing existing congregations,
thereby empowering fruitful and faithful ministries for the glory of God.

I. Convictions:

We believe:

A. Jesus Christ will build his church through some of us, in spite of some of us, and without some of us. (Matt. 16:18) JESUS WINS!!!

B. The church of Jesus Christ exists to fulfill the Great Commandments (Matt. 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

C. 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 and reign before treasured traditions, popular trends, personal preferences and valued relationships.

D. Regarding faithful and fruitful ministry in the twenty-first century, our congregations have only two options: deep transformational change (Luke 5: 36-38) or slow death. In all deep change processes there will be conflict. Therefore, conflict management skills are essential to the transformation process, so that the conflict can be life-giving, not life threatening.

E. People, including congregational leaders, 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) “For by grace you are saved, through faith, not because of works, lest anyone should boast. It is a gift of God. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10) A sign of this transformation will be increased love for God in Christ and other people, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

F. Personal transformation of congregational leaders through the GOSPEL of God’s grace in Jesus Christ precedes congregational transformation. (Romans 12:1-2)

G. Therefore, as go the congregational leaders, so goes the congregation. (Acts 6:1-7)

H. Healthy churches grow and reproduce in a variety of ways.

I. The proven strategies to reach new people for Christ are planting new congregations and renewing existing congregations. These approaches are “two sides of the same coin”, represent God’s work, and produce results for the sake of the GOSPEL. However, the data indicates that the single most effective strategy is planting churches.