Governance news posted Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Diocesan Mission Planning Commission

Draft Vision & Mission Statement

Download the Mission Statement
Download the Mission Planning Report

Our Vision for The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania… A Community of Communities… Committed to Christ!

THE MISSION

Celebrating our diversity while striving for unity under the authority of the triune God, the historic Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania serves as a collaborative catalyst, conduit and coordinator of the Ministry Priorities for the congregations of the diocese in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Informed by our Baptismal Covenant, and with God’s help our mission is to:

  • Gather regularly for worship, Biblical teaching, fellowship, prayer and Holy Communion.
  • Resist evil and when we fall into sin repent and return to the Lord
  • Proclaim by Word and example the Good News of God in Christ
  • Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself
  • Strive for justice and peace among all people, and Respect the dignity of every human being.

THE MINISTRY PRIORITIES

While acknowledging Jesus as the head of the Church, and guided by the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit we believe the following Ministry Priorities will help us fulfill our diocesan mission…all for the glory of God:

  • 1. Reconciliation: Our goal as a diocese is to be united in the peace of Christ [as a Community of Communities]. Through the ministry of reconciliation, we will be allowed/freed to move together with trust that…
  • 2. Justice and Peace: Our goal as a diocese is to provide and support initiatives that promote justice and peace within, among and beyond our congregations and communities.
  • 3. Discipleship Formation: Our goal as a diocese is to provide the resources and education that our congregations will be formational centers for equipping disciples for ministry to the world (lay and ordained).
  • 4. Evangelism: Our goal as a diocese is to support congregations as they invite people into a relationship with Jesus Christ, living into the Great Commission.
  • 5. Congregational Development: Our goal is that all our congregational communities will thrive according to their unique size and character. We will develop, promote and provide resources and expertise for aiding and assisting parish leadership in best practices for achieving congregational health.
  • 6. Mission/Outreach: Our goal as a diocese is to nurture and support mission and ministry within the diocese of Pennsylvania allowing for both diocesan initiatives and congregational initiatives, or a collaboration between the two:
    • a. Through our congregations
    • b. Through diocesan led initiatives that are supported by convention
    • c. Through congregational or diocesan mission initiatives beyond the borders of the diocese, regionally, nationally and internationally
  • 7. Stewardship: Our goal as a diocese is to faithfully shepherd all the resources entrusted to us for Kingdom work.

(Our first draft stops here.)

THE STRATEGIES

Within this section will be detailed Strategic Plans for specific ministry initiatives that are specific, measurable, action oriented, realistic, and time bound. We invite any diocesan communities to invite a team from the Mission Planning Commission to hear your thoughts and responses to this draft Vision and Mission Statement.

Diocesan Mission Planning Commission
of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
240 South Fourth Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106