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Adopted by PSK: February 11, 2003

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHERN KANSAS
MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS WITH SUPPORTING GOALS
[Goals claimed by committees on March 15, 2003]

Mission
The Presbytery of Southern Kansas, a governing body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a community of faith under the lordship of Jesus Christ. We are called, by the grace of God, to lead, nurture, serve, represent, support and encourage our congregations. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to identify and use our God-given gifts in service to one another and the world. To God be the glory!

Vision (The elements of this statement are not listed in any particular priority.)
By God’s grace and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Presbytery of Southern Kansas will, by the year 2007, live into the vision of being a community:

A. composed of member congregations organized in mutually supportive networks focused on
proclaiming the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Goal 1: To assist each church to discern and articulate its unique identity and needs.
Claimed by: Communications, Administration, Committee on Ministry, Congregational Ministries
Other: [Polity can provide resourcing]
Future: {ALL}

Goal 2: To foster mutually beneficial connections among congregations.
Claimed by: Communications, Community Outreach, Camping, Mission Strategy, Congregational Ministries, Committee on Ministry

B. where members of congregations know, interact and communicate with each other and the
Presbytery in a clear, Christ-like manner and where disagreements and diversity are addressed by
Christian sisters and brothers who model what it means to be the Body of Christ.
Goal 3: To provide opportunities for worship, fellowship, celebration, training and open discussion.
Claimed by: Nominations, Communications, Camping

Goal 4: To equip individuals and groups to deal constructively with disagreement and diversity.
Claimed by: Community Outreach, Committee on Ministry, Mission Strategy
Other: [Polity can provide resourcing]

C. where all churches are creatively and effectively shepherded by pastors and lay leaders who, in partnership with the Presbytery, lead member congregations.
Goal 5: To continue to equip congregations as they seek pastoral leadership.
Claimed by: Committee on Ministry, Nominations

Goal 6: To identify, train and utilize potential Commissioned Lay Pastors.
Claimed by: Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Committee on Ministry, Mission Strategy, Nominations

Goal 7: To assist sessions in identifying their church’s stage-in-life and commensurate needs.
Claimed by: Committee on Ministry, Committee on Preparation for Ministry

Goal 8: To foster conversations among churches regarding shared pastoral leadership.
Claimed by: Committee on Ministry, Committee on Preparation for Ministry

D. where faithful stewardship of all God’s gifts is proclaimed, encouraged and modeled.
Goal 9: To develop, communicate and interpret the Presbytery’s mission, programs and priorities.
Claimed by: Congregational Ministries, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Nominations, Camping, Community Outreach, Communications
Future: {All}

Goal 10: To challenge the churches to increase financial support for PC(U.S.A.) “Shared Mission Giving.”
Claimed by: Camping, Administration, Communications, Community Outreach

Goal 11: To challenge individuals to share their gifts of time and talent in the leadership of the Presbytery.
Claimed by: Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Nominations, Camping, Mission Strategy, Community Outreach

E. that provides a place of support for active and retired ministers and lay pastors.
Goal 12: To provide opportunities for nurture, sharing, study and fellowship.
Claimed by: Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Committee on Ministry, Camping

Goal 13: To ensure the inclusion of retired ministers in the work and fellowship
of the Presbytery.
Claimed by: Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Nominations, Committee on Ministry, Camping

F. that is dedicated to ensuring that member congregations are equipped for ministry and mission in the 21st Century.
Goal 14: To proclaim boldly the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Claimed by: Congregational Ministries, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Mission Strategy, Administration, Communications, Community Outreach
Future: {All}

Goal 15: To engage in study, reflection, and discernment of what it means to be the Church in a predominantly non-Christian world.
Claimed by: Congregational Ministries, Mission Strategy, Community Outreach, Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Future: {All}

Goal 16: To identify creative ways to be the Church in a Presbytery of diminishing resources.
Claimed by: Community Outreach, Mission Strategy, Administration, Camping, Nominations, Congregational Ministries, Communications
Future: {All}

G. where worship, prayer, study and fellowship are vital parts of life in the Presbytery.
Goal 17: To ensure that all Presbytery meetings are balanced among business, worship, fellowship and study. Suggested that “mission interpretation” be added.
Claimed by: Communications, Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Other: Assigned to COUNCIL; Polity can provide resourcing.
Future: {All}

H. where we celebrate our identity as part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Goal 18: To partner in the ministry, mission and work of sister presbyteries and other governing bodies of the PC(U.S.A.).
Claimed by: Communications, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Administration, Camping, Mission Strategy, Community Outreach, Nominations

Goal 19: To facilitate the training, encouragement and support of church officers.
Claimed by: Committee on Ministry, Nominations, Camping, Mission Strategy, Congregational Ministries, Polity

Goal 20: To facilitate the training and logistical support of teachers and worship leaders.
Claimed by: Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Camping, Mission Strategy, Congregational Ministries

I. that looks to and provides for the future of the Church.
Goal 21: To encourage the development of strong programs of ministry and outreach to youth and young adults.
Claimed by: Camping, Congregational Ministries, Mission Strategy
Future: {All}

Goal 22: To identify potential inquirers and candidates for ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
Claimed by: Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Camping
Future: {All}

Goal 23: To engage in ecumenical conversations and partnerships.
Claimed by: Committee on Ministry, Communications, Administration, Community Outreach, Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Other: Assigned to COUNCIL
Future: {All}

Council will assign appropriate goals to Committee on Representation (ordinarily any that Nominating has claimed).

Council will provide continuing oversight, review and evaluation of the goals and objectives.

________Surfaced -- Need to be addressed_________
Long-range planning Rural life issues
Stewardship education Leaky roofs (where to go for help)

Checked for accuracy on Mar 15, 2003