Kay in Cal
05-15-2008, 03:02 PM
OK, I'm working through a process right now that requires each pastor (me, in this case) to write up a listing of their own "core principles". These are not doctrinal statements, statements of faith, or descriptions of the church, but descriptions of how I vision individual committed Christians living in the world. One ways to say it is "painting the target on the wall", so that people in the church can see what they are aiming for.
I've worked on these for a while now, but I need feedback. Our instructions are to write so that it is clear to the average lay person what exactly we are saying, with minimal explanation. What better group of erudite folks than the WTM boards, right?
I don't need help deciding what my core principles are (feel free to discuss with me on pm or another thread if you like), but ensuring that they are expressed clearly and elegantly. With me? Thanks for your help! OK, submitted for your comment:
Committed disciples of Jesus Christ….
1. Know that God’s grace and love is for them personally.
Disciples know they are valued and valuable, lovable and loved by a God who knows their name and their very essence.
2. Know that God’s grace and love is for everyone.
All people are welcomed and desired in the family of God. Disciples seek to express in their own lives God’s unconditional love for all human beings
3. Seek to be authentically themselves.
Disciples engage others with integrity by sharing themselves and developing open, honest and trusting relationships.
4. Are personally transformed by intentional spiritual growth through prayer, study and reflection.
As with any relationship, we must spend quality time with our God to experience a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life.
5. Seek intentionally to discern God’s call in their lives in a lifelong journey of examination and obedience.
Disciples recognize that the call of God must be taken seriously and consistently reexamined, and that the experience of call changes over a lifetime.
6. Embrace the journey with joy and thankfulness.
Disciples seek to engage everyday life not with expectations, but openness. Disciples are constantly being made new. Disciples see life’s ups and downs, challenges and roadblocks as opportunities.
7. Engage with injustice.
Disciples do not remain silent when the values of God are violated by individuals or groups. They seek always to speak with God’s prophetic voice of justice.
8. Express their faith through service.
Loving others through acts of committed service is the outward sign of our inward transformation by God’s grace.
I've worked on these for a while now, but I need feedback. Our instructions are to write so that it is clear to the average lay person what exactly we are saying, with minimal explanation. What better group of erudite folks than the WTM boards, right?
I don't need help deciding what my core principles are (feel free to discuss with me on pm or another thread if you like), but ensuring that they are expressed clearly and elegantly. With me? Thanks for your help! OK, submitted for your comment:
Committed disciples of Jesus Christ….
1. Know that God’s grace and love is for them personally.
Disciples know they are valued and valuable, lovable and loved by a God who knows their name and their very essence.
2. Know that God’s grace and love is for everyone.
All people are welcomed and desired in the family of God. Disciples seek to express in their own lives God’s unconditional love for all human beings
3. Seek to be authentically themselves.
Disciples engage others with integrity by sharing themselves and developing open, honest and trusting relationships.
4. Are personally transformed by intentional spiritual growth through prayer, study and reflection.
As with any relationship, we must spend quality time with our God to experience a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life.
5. Seek intentionally to discern God’s call in their lives in a lifelong journey of examination and obedience.
Disciples recognize that the call of God must be taken seriously and consistently reexamined, and that the experience of call changes over a lifetime.
6. Embrace the journey with joy and thankfulness.
Disciples seek to engage everyday life not with expectations, but openness. Disciples are constantly being made new. Disciples see life’s ups and downs, challenges and roadblocks as opportunities.
7. Engage with injustice.
Disciples do not remain silent when the values of God are violated by individuals or groups. They seek always to speak with God’s prophetic voice of justice.
8. Express their faith through service.
Loving others through acts of committed service is the outward sign of our inward transformation by God’s grace.