wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] GAC advances 6 strategic goals

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Note #7461 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

GAC advances 6 strategic goals
02386
October 4, 2002

GAC advances 6 strategic goals

Middle governing bodies, individuals will have chance to review proposed
objectives in 2003

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - The General Assembly Council (GAC) has provisionally approved
six "strategic goal" statements as part of a two-year visioning process aimed
at more clearly defining the focus of the elected body's work and mission.

The effort will provide guidelines for programmatic and financial decisions
and demonstrate the GAC's commitment in faithfully carrying out mission and
empowering others to do the same. 

The half-dozen strategic goals, which includes a range of objectives from
challenging and assisting the whole church to proclaim the Gospel faithfully,
to developing and equipping leaders to care for faith communities, were
approved during the GAC's regular fall meeting here on Saturday, Sept. 28.

GAC executive director John Detterick said strategic goal-setting is overdue.

"The GAC has not taken a comprehensive look at the breadth, depth and width
of its ministry and mission since 'shape and form' in 1993," he said. 
"We'll be looking at a variety of issues that will require decisions over the
next few years - taking a strategic look will enable us to better respond to
where God wants us to go and what God wants us to be."

The GAC, which oversees and administers the mission program of the General
Assembly between its legislative gatherings, approved a two-year strategic
visioning process last January. Already, council members have debated through
the process the role of "Christ-centered leadership" for itself and for the
Committee on the Office of the General Assembly (COGA), which, among other
things, is responsible for overseeing the soon-to-become biennial General
Assembly meetings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Council members in January also worked to identify what it believes to be the
primary elements of vital ministry and mission for the PC(USA) over the next
five years. The results of the discussions formed the goal concepts for
implementing the strategic visioning plan, which is based on the Six Great
Ends of the Church as written in the denomination's constitution.

The Great Ends are: The proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of
humankind; the shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of
God; the maintenance of Divine Worship; the preservation of the truth; the
promotion of social righteousness; and the exhibition of the kingdom of
Heaven to the world.

A strategic visioning project team has been formed to work through the fall
to develop strategies that are expected to go before the GAC's January
meeting for consideration and feedback. 

Sometime during 2003, the GAC's preliminary strategic vision - consisting of
the six strategic goals and the strategies for implementing them - will be
made available for comment by presbyteries, synods and individuals. 
Denominational leaders hope to submit the proposed goals to the 216th General
Assembly in 2004 in Richmond, VA.

The proposed six strategic goals, as approved during the meeting by GAC:

1. The Proclamation of the Gospel for the Salvation of Humankind
The General Assembly Council, with God's help tells the Good News of Jesus
Christ for the salvation of the world, challenging and assisting the whole
Church to proclaim the Gospel faithfully and seeking the transformation of
ourselves, others and faith communities in their lives of discipleship.

2. The Shelter, Nurture, and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God
The General Assembly Council, with God's help, cares for God's people,
developing and equipping leaders to care for faith communities and
encouraging the sense of belonging to the PC(USA).

3. The Maintenance of Divine Worship
The General Assembly Council, with God's help, supports faithful, dynamic,
Reformed worship for a diverse, multicultural and multigenerational Church.

4. The Preservation of the Truth
 The General Assembly Council, with God's help, upholds the truth of God's
saving love for the world in Jesus Christ, committing itself to be guided by
Scripture and instructed by the Confessions as it engages the whole Church in
active ministry and mission.

5. The Promotion of Social Righteousness
The General Assembly Council, with God's help, seeks to involve the Church's
faith with the life of the world, responding to social and ecclesiastical
issues and challenging the whole Church toward faithful discipleship to
further God's love and justice in the world.

6. The Exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the World
The General Assembly Council, with God's help, endeavors to model God's love,
grace, justice, and peace to the world in all its relationships.

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