POSE STATEMENT

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Overview:

The pastors of the MCN board have been batting around the idea of sharing a theme for several months now, and most recently have been trying to land on a theme that fit what the Lord seemed to be urging in our community in this hour. The theme, “Loving Our Neighbor” was the one that got the excitement, energy and creative juices flowing.

Our purpose:

To call God’s people together to love our communities to Christ in a way that is:

VALUES

- Christ Centered

- Church Based

- Community Focused

- Collaborative in Approach

- Christ-like in Word and Deed

- Culturally Transforming

The strength of the body of Christ is multiplied as we come together with singleness of purpose. Therefore, we seek to enter together with as much of the body as we can - to have the greatest impact we can – right here in our own Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.

Our Scriptural Foundation:

".. .But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.'" (Matthew 9:35-38)

In His final high intercessory prayer, Jesus said to the Father: "As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world..." and then model for us the first step in effective evangelism by saying "...I do not pray for these alone, but also for all those who will believe in Me through their word." (John 17:18, 20)

His sense of urgency was apparent and so it should be for us: "Do not say ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest.’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest." (John 4:35) Hence, in His very first resurrection appearance to His assembled disciples, His very first words were "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." (John 20:21)

We understand our calling in Christ - and that part of our redemption is demonstrated in healthy, loving relationships with one another. Therefore we are not asking the church to send out lone ranger individuals or solitary organizations, but to come together as Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23 so that our witness is strengthened in love and God is glorified as together we demonstrate and declare the love of Christ.

Therefore, we prayerfully commit ourselves to a year of “Loving Our Neighbors,” as partners in the Lord, to mobilize our pastors, staff, volunteers and members – using our services and resources – to saturate our communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When we serve together our witness is more effective in building a

foundation of Prayer, a lifestyle of Care and a willingness to Share God's love and message in every sphere of influence (neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, etc.) given by God.

Role of Churches

Our churches must assist our community in understanding and encouraging the practice of loving our neighbors through the power of the Holy Spirit.

·        walk in the love of God and show God’s love to others

·        demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit

·        are ethical, fair, and just

·        encourage all churches in our community to participate in Loving Our Neighbor

·        promote cross-denominational support for one another through prayer and mutual

Is a network of mission-minded churches that view the Newton region as our primary mission field. By working together, the network churches strive to be the good news and share the good news more effectively in our region than we could alone. The network's goal is to make sure that every man, woman and child in our sphere of influence hears a compelling presentation of the gospel, given by a person living a compelling life in the gospel, and do it in such a way that people say the Church is the best thing in their community. MCN Board members are: Mark Isaac, Jason Reynolds and Jay Lewis. Coordinator is Timothy Conner.

For more information see: www.missionalchurchnetwork.org or call Timothy Conner at 316-284-0997.

Possible Areas of Focus: please offer feedback on areas that get you excited!

Child Care: mentoring moms, after school programs, tutoring...

Disabled: access and outreach to church, inclusion in community activites...

Financial: budget counseling, employment assistance, mentoring... 

Education: volunteering in schools,  afterschool programs, tutoring, pray for, support school needs...

Elderly: special activities, focused outreach, adopt those without families, support care facilities...

First Responders: adopt in prayer, support in care, honor and celebrate...

Foster Care/Adoption: Educate on the needs, coordinate information through churches, mentoring, big brothers/sisters...

HIV/AIDS: New Jerusalem missions, understanding, awareness, prayer, care...

Homeless: homeless shelter assistance, mentoring, awareness and education, housing, employment, addictions...

Houses of Prayer: mobilize houses of prayer to coordinate intentional on site prayer in our neighborhoods, for neighborhood evangelization, meeting neighborhood needs…

Latinos: building bridges among anglo and latino congregations, sharing celebrations, assist in building up the ministries of the latino congregations, celebrate our unity...l

Mental Illness: understanding and education, information and compassion, assistance and support for families, convey acceptance...

Poverty/Hunger: Identify need, coordinate assistance programs/community partnerships, church programs, food drives, harvest of love, salvation army...

Substance Abuse: education of threat, positive alternatives, cooperation with law enforcement, schools, recovery programs, support, prayer...

Welcome those new to town: coordinate a church based “welcome kit” for new arrivals in our community.

Youth: outreach to skate board park, mentoring, after school programs, youth ministries cooperation for special events and outreaches, paint, fix up and build up and support existing ministries...