Revision And Renewal

Revision And Renewal

Dear Good Shepherd Family:

As a church we are entering a wonderful new day of power and possibilities. We thank God for the heritage and victories of the past. But through the Holy Spirit we look forward to a new day of ministry and touching people for Jesus sake.

Over the past five months a very committed team of our church family have led us in ReVision & Renewal. They have spent countless hours directing us through an exploration of who we are as a church and what the community around us is now like. For two of those months, a large number of our congregation participated in small groups. Prayer, Bible study and our context report were the focus. Every comment made was recorded. Then our ReVision team compiled all that was said and all we discovered about the community and ourselves. The first draft was presented to over fifty of our key leaders in retreat one week ago. Recommended changes were incorporated. The final draft has been organized into a wonderful document that will give us focus and direction the next few years. The Lord has truly spoken in a powerful, affirming way. As you read Good Shepherd's ReVision plan, I personally encourage you to remember the following:

• As we continue to keep Jesus first, prayer is our top priority.
• We recognize that ReVision is an "unfolding" work in progress. We will have many opportunities along our journey together to see if we are indeed going in the right direction.
• We affirm together that Unity is essential but uniformity on all issues is not necessary.
• In all things we are determined to give God the Glory!

I pray that you will begin to sense the excitement that has been growing these past months. As your pastor, it is encouraging and exhilarating to see the Lord answer prayer!

Shalom
Pastor Steve

Vision Statement

We are a people who desire to know Christ in His fullness. We passionately want to bring Jesus to those who do not know Him through acts of love, service, and healing so that the Love of God will be made known to all.
(Our Vision)

Mission Statement

We fervently pray that the anointing of the Holy Spirit will enable us to fulfill our mission to:

• Preach the Gospel to the poor, the meek and the afflicted.
• Bind up the brokenhearted and bring healing to the spiritually and physically sick.
• Break the bonds of evil and proclaim freedom from sin and satanic dominion.
• Open the spiritual eyes of the lost to the light of the Gospel to bring about salvation.

(Our Mission Statement)

This fourfold purpose characterizes Jesus Christ's entire ministry. We as a church, with Christ at our helm, will continue to fulfill that ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Our Mission Context)

Our Beliefs That Drive Our Mission

We believe that, as Christ's church, we have been called to live as active members of this neighborhood and to be Christ to the community. The joys and sorrows, hopes and challenges, of the community are part of our own lives and the life of our church. We believe that Good Shepherd must be active and working diligently in our community to bridge any separation between us.

• We believe that every person needs a relationship with Jesus Christ.
• We believe in the power of prayer.
• We believe in the infilling of the Holy Spirit and a Spirit-led life.
• We believe that the Bible is the holy and inspired Word of God, our foundation for living.
• We believe that God loves us unconditionally and calls us to love others as He loves us.

As the people of Christ, God is calling us to be a healing center. We will work for the spiritual health and wholeness of all people.