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General Board Redesign Steering Committee
Vision Discernment Team
by Christopher Bowman
(General Board Chairperson during Redesign)
Vision Statement CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN GENERAL BOARD Report of Vision Discernment Team The General Board accepted this amended report as its Vision Statement to guide a further process of redesign. Tuesday, June 27, 1995 We envision a General Board that: *equips congregations to make faithful disciples to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ, locally and around the world; (Vital congregations are crucial to carrying on the ministry of Jesus. Congregations are places where lives are transformed and disciples are nurtured. As it works on behalf of the denomination, the General Board establishes a partnership with congregations to empower the church?s worldwide mission.) *works in partnership with Church of the Brethren pastors, congregations, districts, and agencies, as well as other denominations and organizations; (Intentional efforts must be made to communicate and coordinate fully with other Church of the Brethren agencies to enhance our common ministry. Recognizing the unity of the body of Christ and maintaining the integrity of our witness, the General Board augments its ministry by cooperating with other denominations and organizations.) *participates in the Annual Conference discernment process and then faithfully implements the will of the delegate body; (General Board members and staff have a place in the Annual Conference discernment process. As decisions are being made, open and forthright conversation between the General Board and Annual Conference can help the delegates to make informed choices concerning vision and priorities, polices and official statements. While the General Board should respect dissenting voices within the church, Board members and staff should have a witness in harmony with Annual Conference directives.) *facilities denominational ministries through a unified structure and vision of shared ministry; and vision of shared ministry; (Much of the work of the denomination crosses the boundaries of specific disciplines, specialized staff portfolios, and even current Commission boundaries. The mission of the church may be accomplished most effectively by employing staff under a single program arm, assigning them to project teams that are created to accomplish specific tasks and then dissolved. In its work, Board members and staff should take care to foster a holistic view of ministry and guard against competition.) *acts as a compassionate employer, calling together gifted staff in a nurturing environment and encouraging excellence among its employees; (As part of the body of Christ, the General Board has a responsibility to be a compassionate employer. The general Board must consider the impact of its decisions on the staff,. At the same time, the long-term health and viability of the denominational ministries demand that the General Board encourage and affirm excellence among its employees.) *constantly pursues simplicity, clarity, focus, and good stewardship in its structure and functions; (As the program arm of a small denomination, the General Board can do some things uniquely well and should focus its efforts on these. The administration of program should reflect Brethren understandings of simplicity and stewardship.) *anticipates and prepares for the future mission of the church and is informed by the strengths of our Brethren heritage. (Both congregational and denominational life are constantly changing. In order to thrive, the General Board needs to listen to congregations, learn, anticipate crises in denominational life, and plan for the future. As it moves innovatively into the future, the General Board also must affirm the core values of our faith, interpreting Brethren identity and heritage for today.) Vision Discernment Team Members: Christopher Bowman, Chair Phyllis Crain Donald Fitzkee Tracy Wenger Sadd Bonnie Kline Smeltzer RSC |