Dr. Keith Shearer, who was the USA representative on the international steering committee for the Charis gathering in Bad Homburg, Germany, this past August, continues to encourage US Grace Brethren churches and people to reflect on how their local churches can participate in the worldwide vision expressed in the Commitment to Common Mission document developed by three task forces at the Charis meeting (the integrated ministries task force is pictured). To read a copy of the document, click here. Shearer, who also pastors the New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, sends along the following report from the NAF:
The Northern Atlantic Fellowship affirmed yesterday (3/15/09) at her district conference the “Commitment to Common Mission” that was formulated by the delegates of the 2008 International Conference of Charis. The Northern Atlantic district ministerium affirmed this same commitment at its February 10 meeting.
This commitment has already been affirmed by the leadership of the FGBC fellowship council, CE National, Grace Schools, BMH, GO2 Church Planting, GBIM, GBIF, as well as Grace Brethren fellowships around the world. I was recently informed that it received a standing ovation at the pastor’s conference in Chad. There may also be others who have made the same commitment.
Affirming the “Commitment” is not necessarily a matter of agreeing with the precise wording of the document, but with the intent of working together with Grace Brethren around the globe in the three stated categories of church-planting, leadership training, and integrated ministries over the coming decade.
If you are not familiar with this Charis document, it appears on page 5 of the 2009 FGBC Handbook.
Entrusted by the FGBC fellowship council with the honor of being the North American representative to the international Charis movement, I encourage all North American churches and cooperating ministries to follow the example of these who have entered into this commitment.
Numbers of FGBCers are already doing so much of this so very well – thank you. The “Commitment to Common Mission” has the potential of helping us walk together and work together for the honor of Christ into the next decade, or until Christ comes for us should that be sooner.
Keith Shearer