1. We will occupy our place as part of a global evangelical movement
We embrace the reality that we form part of the global body of Christ. While we remain firmly committed to our heritage and distinctives, we celebrate the fact that Christ is building his church through the efforts of many brothers and sisters outside our family of churches. We commit ourselves to seeking authentic partnerships with like-minded followers of Christ for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our generation.
2. We will prioritize church-planting among the least-reached
We embrace the reality that there are still thousands of people groups where the existing church is not yet formed or capable of reaching its own people. We believe that the primary goal of our mission agency is apostolic - to lay the foundation of the knowledge of Christ and to plant churches among these groups (Rom. 15:20-23a). Toward this end, we will prioritize our church-planting efforts among the people groups generally classified among evangelicals as least reached.
3. We will value the ministries and affirm the dignity of our fellow leaders and sister churches worldwide.
We embrace the reality that we have established deep and lasting covenant relationships with Grace Brethren people throughout the world. We are committed to nurturing these relationships through mutually beneficial partnerships characterized by a spirit of humility and an attitude of service. Recognizing our role as the ‘apostolic arm' of the church, we will especially encourage our global fraternity in establishing and strengthening indigenous mission agencies, training systems and local church planting movements.
4. We will strive to deploy staff in multinational teams
We embrace the new reality of world mission - that the growing majority of the church (including the FGBC) is now located in the global South and East. While recognizing that multinational teams present unique challenges, we believe that these challenges are far outweighed by the benefits of bringing together a diversity of unique passions, gifts and resources. We commit ourselves to partnering with the global family of Grace Brethren churches in all of our church planting efforts.
5. We will live and proclaim the gospel in all its implications
We embrace the reality that the Gospel is intended to bring hope and transformation to the entire person, body and spirit. Following the example of Christ, who both proclaimed and incarnated the gospel, we affirm our calling to a ministry lifestyle of the gospel in word and deed. In all of our ministries we commit to practice patterns of discipleship that apply the gospel to the whole person.
6. We will encourage the development of ministries of compassion
We embrace the reality that "faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). We affirm the need to mobilize our churches around the globe to engage in acts of biblical justice and compassion to alleviate both the immediate and long-term suffering of fellow believers and non-believers (Galatians 6:9-10). Toward this end, we commit to creating appropriate networks and structures to mobilize churches to engage in relief, rehabilitation and development ministries.
7. We will work to ensure that our staff is adequately equipped for long-term, fruitful ministry
We embrace the reality that many important strides are being made in understanding the apostolic task. To achieve our goal of pursuing life and ministry in sustainable ways, we commit to investing resources (time, personnel and financial) to assist missionaries to achieve and maintain appropriate lifestyles and core competencies required for fruitful ministries. We advocate the cultivation of spirit, soul, body, and edifying relationships with family, friends and mentors. And we expect all staff to pursue an ongoing program of improvement in the knowledge, character and skills needed to effectively fulfill their ministries.
8. We will commit to establishing sustainable ways of financing missionaries and ministries.
We embrace the reality that current models of financing mission, that served us so well throughout the 20th century, are inadequate for the 21st. We recognize that this creates financial pressures which drain passion and divert the energies of our staff. We commit to developing innovative and multiple sources of funding with the goal of bringing relief to our staff and facilitating the growth of our mission.
Adopted by the Board of Directors
April 26, 2010