Executive Summary of Staff Restructuring and Five Year Financial Plan Motion

VISION MANUAL

April 28, 2014

3821 University Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205

(214) 526-7457

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 Mission and Vision of HPPC

1.1 Mission and Vision: Foundational Expressions of Faith, Identity, and Purpose

(a) The Mission of God

(b) The Mission of God – Expressed in the Celtic Cross Logo of HPPC

(d) Mission Statement

(e) Core Values

(f) Discipleship Marks – The Goal – The Measure of Success

(g) Disciple "Definition"

1.2 Vision = Foundational Expressions + Living Vision

1.3 Aligning Ministry with Mission and Vision

(a) The Mission of God – The Mission of HPPC

(b) Core Four – How HPPC Advances Her Mission

(i) Worship God

(ii) Grow in Christ

(iii) Build Community

(iv) Bless the World

1.4 Mission and Vision – Summary Statement

1.5 Mission and Vision of HPPC - Short Version

SECTION 2 Governance Documents

2.1 Governance Documents

2.2 Mission Study Report 2013 – Living Vision

#1 - Develop Vision Clarity

#2 - Stand as a Flourishing Church and a Missionary Base for the Kingdom of God

#3 - Reflect and Encourage the Cultural Diversity of God’s Kingdom

#4 - Bless and Unite All Generations

#5 - Develop a Culture of Discipleship

#6 – Match the HPPC Campus to the Vision

#7 - Develop and Support Intentional Leadership

#8 - Lead in the Presbyterian movement

SECTION 3 Amendments

SECTION 1 Mission and Vision of HPPC

1.1 Mission and Vision: Foundational Expressions of Faith, Identity, and Purpose

(a) The Mission of God

The mission of God is to redeem people and renew creation in and through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. At Highland Park Presbyterian Church, our desire is to align the activities, the character, and the culture of HPPC, with the mind and heart of God. We desire to be obedient to the will of God and to be faithful and fruitful stewards of the resources God provides to HPPC to accomplish the Lord’s mission. We want our mission to be aligned with the mission of God.

(b) The Mission of God – Expressed in the Celtic Cross Logo of HPPC

The mission of God, to redeem people and renew creation in and through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, is illustrated by the stylized Celtic cross adopted as a logo for HPPC:

The cross signifies Christ, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) The cross signifies the mission of God – to transform and redeem people, to transform and renew creation, to reconcile the world to God in Christ (2 Co. 5:17-21; Rev. 21:1-4; John 3:16-17; 2 Co 3:17-18)

The four knots signify the world, the four corners of the earth – the mission field of the sending God (Gen. 12:1-3, Matt. 28:18-19)

The leaves signify the activity of the Holy Spirit lived out in the mission of God for the church – to redeem people, renew creation, to be living water, the leaves of healing, for the peoples of all nations. (Rev. 22:1-4)

(c) Statement of Faith

A more comprehensive picture of the Mission of God is found in the Statement of Faith of HPPC. It expresses the foundations of the worldview of a Christian. More importantly, it describes the content of faith in Christ that is essential to salvation. These truths give our church a distinctive identity from other communities with other worldviews. More importantly, these truths breathe life into death, shine light into darkness, and give sight to the blind.

These Statements of Faith are “critically” important. To get them wrong is to be in critical, terminal condition. They are about primary reality, about the authoritative power in creation that ultimately cannot be resisted or thwarted. One day all will know that Jesus is Lord, but it will be too late for some. And it will be the final defeat for those beings that already knew the truth but would not bow the knee.

The doctrines set forth in the Statement of Faith have a very strong influence on the form and shape of our church culture. The Statement of Faith expresses a worldview that we share: a view of God, of humanity and the world, of the mission of God, the mission of the church, and the purpose of our lives. This worldview, along with the values expressed below, are part of the cultural DNA of the church that shapes and motivates and is the driving force behind everything we do. The culture of a church is like a blueprint for a building, but a blueprint that is written in the heart and mind and not on paper. The cultural DNA, the spiritual DNA, the foundation of the church is Christ, is the mission of God for the world.

God called HPPC into being, shaped her culture, gave her a firm foundation: a worldview, a heart, a purpose centered on Jesus Christ.

The Statement of Faith of HPPC expresses the foundations of the Christian worldview; they are about primary reality, about the authoritative power in creation that ultimately cannot be resisted or thwarted.

The Statement of Faith of Highland Park Presbyterian Church is:

“Truth matters: light or dark, life or death, right or wrong. We hold the following as truth:

God – The one true living God is a God of love; God is sovereign, the Creator and Ruler of all
Scripture –Scripture is the Word of God, the first and final authority for faith and life
The Trinity – God is three-in-one: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
The Fall – Because of human sin, all creation has fallen from its original state of perfection; as a result, human beings are subject to death, the consequences of rebellion, and the holy judgment of God
Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is Lord, fully God and fully human, and the only way to eternal life
The Cross – Jesus Christ, the innocent Son of God, died in the place of fallen, rebellious humanity to satisfy the holy judgment of God and was raised bodily from the dead in the power of the Spirit
Reconciliation with God – By grace through faith in Christ alone, which comes as an unmerited gift from God, a person is reconciled with God, guided and comforted by the Holy Spirit, and assured of eternal life
The Return of Christ – When Jesus returns to earth, He will consummate His Kingdom and establish the new creation”

We believe this Statement of Faith is consistent and aligned with the “Essential Tenets and Confessional Standards of ECO” which can be found on the HPPC website or are available on request from the Office of the Senior Pastor of HPPC.

(d) Mission Statement

In the light of the Truth, in light of our God-shaped culture, in light of our faith and values, what then should we actually do? What is our mission, how should it be accomplished, and what would it look like if it were accomplished?

These questions of “mission and purpose” cannot be separated from questions of “values and identity.” Nor can either question be separated from “God-questions” – what does God have to say about mission and purpose, values and identity?

For answers we look to the Statement of Faith, the Core Values, and the source for both: Jesus, Scripture, the Book of Confessions, the ECO Polity and Essential Tenets, and the Presbyterian Reformed theological movement and tradition.

The Mission Statement begins to answer these questions. It includes a broad description of the reason HPPC exists, her purpose, her mission.The Mission Statement is most often expressed as:

“Making disciples of Jesus Christ who make a difference in the world for the glory of God.”

It may also be expressed by including a reference to the Holy Spirit:

“Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the purpose of HPPC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who make a difference in the world for the glory of God”

In its fullest expression, the Mission Statement of HPPC is:

“Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Highland Park Presbyterian Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ who together, and in their individual lives, make a difference in the world for the glory of God.”

(e) Core Values

The Statement of Faith is about the way HPPC views primary reality. Core values are about the way the church views itself. Among churches that are faithful to the worldview expressed in our Statement of Faith, there are many, many different possible types of churches. Core values begin to differentiate churches. Values are about ascribing relative worth to different ways of being a church. A core value of a church is a very strong affinity and preference of the congregation of that church for a particular way or ways of being a church.

HPPC has been a vital church since 1926. You cannot “create” a culture for HPPC or “invent” values for it. This culture and these values already exist. The Core Values are our discernment of the true culture and values of HPPC. They express the cultural identity of HPPC.

God called HPPC into being, shaped her mind and heart, and has given her an identity and created her culture. At the heart of any church culture, what really inspires and motivates its people, are those things that the church ascribes the highest worth to. Values describe what a church really is, at its best, and what it aspires to sustain and develop further.

In pursuing her mission, HPPC will always be devoted to being:

Biblical – We commit ourselves to the prominence of God’s Word over our lives, our priorities and our vision.
Reformed – We commit ourselves to a Reformed theological perspective; we commit ourselves to Presbyterian polity, the Reformed way of ordering church life that is grounded in this theology
Community – We commit ourselves to being a conduit of God’s grace through acts of forgiveness, comfort, care, encouragement and hospitality.
Leadership – We commit ourselves to being God’s instruments for influencing others toward Christ and the world toward the Kingdom of God; we commit ourselves to creating passionate, accountable, servant leaders of all ages.
Service – We commit ourselves to make a positive, sacrificial impact on the world around us through obedient service both in our local and global communities.

(f) Discipleship Marks – The Goal – The Measure of Success

Jesus Christ is the author and perfecter of the faith of His disciples. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to salvation and reconciliation with God except by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And this faith comes to a disciple through the power of the Holy Spirit – through the gift of faith in Jesus Christ that is the fruit of a new heart and a renewed mind brought to new birth and life by the Holy Spirit.

The goal of discipleship is to become like Christ – to know more of what Christ knows and would have us know, to be more like Christ and the person Christ would have us be, to do more of the things Christ did and would have us do.

But what does this really mean? What does a disciple “look” like? How would we know we were successful in our mission of “making disciples.”

The Core Four begin to answer this question. The Core Four are like compass settings for the heart, the mind and the actions of a disciple. The Core Four point the way to Jesus and as the journey progresses they become a way of life.

The Discipleship Marks provide more clarity and focus in providing a goal, a target, a measure of success for our mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ who make a difference in the world for the glory of God.”

The primary goal of the Core Four, and a key measure of success for HPPC’s mission, is for each member of HPPC, to an ever increasing measure, to display the following attributes or marks in his or her character, daily walk and lifestyle:

A love for God -- exhibited by a devotion to worship, prayer, and the Word (Matthew 22:34-38; John 4:23-24; Psalm 119:41-4; Luke 11:1-13)
A reflection of the character of Christ - exhibited by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal.5:22-26); 2 Peter 1:3-8);1 Cor. 13:4-7; 2 Cor. 6:6); Matt. 5:3-10; Romans 8:29, 12:2, Ephesians 4:19, 4:22-24)
A love for one another, for the church -- exhibited by acts of generosity, care, and service to the local and global church (John 13:34-35; 17:20-23; 1 John 4:7-1; Acts 2:42-4; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16)
A love for people, the world, and God’s mission -- exhibited by making known the truth of God’s saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ; and by compassion for the needy, the pursuit of justice and peace, and by caring for God’s creation(Matthew 28:18-20; 22:34-40; John 3:16-1; 20:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Genesis 1:27-28; 3:15,12:1-3)

The Discipleship Marks were influenced by the Cape Town Commitment issued by the Third Lausanne Conference. Further references for the Discipleship Mark can be found in the Operations Guide for the Grow in Christ Team that is available upon request from the Office of the Senior Pastor.

(g) Disciple "Definition"

The same themes and principles expressed in the Mission, Values, Core Four, Discipleship Marks, and the Vision Statement are also found in the definition of a "disciple" adopted by the Session:

"Disciples are followers of Jesus who have accepted Him as their only Lord and Savior, and committed their lives to:

Intentionally deepening their personal relationships with the living Christ through worship, prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship, and

growing His Kingdom through passionate witness and service ".

1.2 Vision = Foundational Expressions + Living Vision

What is the “Vision” of HPPC? Who is God calling HPPC to be? What is God calling HPPC to accomplish?

The Session has adopted a well-tested approach to Vision. Answering the “Vision Question” involves discerning three things: your purpose and mission, your guiding principles, and a compelling picture of the future. The Session has concluded that, at least for now, the answer to the “Vision Question”does not need to be captured in a single phrase. HPPC can achieve Vision focus and clarity without it.

Think of Vision as an equation:

Foundational Expressions + Living Vision = Vision

As expressed in this Vision Manual, HPPC has Foundational Expressions that incorporate the mission of HPPC and her guiding principles. By “Living Vision” is meant a series of short-term goals that the entire church can identify with and rally around. These goals are intended to provide a compelling picture of the future. The “Living Vision” is a work in progress. The Mission Study Report (see Section 2.2) challenges the Session to develop the “Living Vision” out of the eight opportunities identified in the report. In the coming months and years, the Session will continue to develop a Living Vision as it appoints Task Forces to study and make recommendations in connection with each one.

Once developed the Living Vision should last for only a few years. Living Vision has a sense of urgency; it expresses a real-time need. It is anticipated that the Session will undertake a systematic evaluation of the Living Vision every few years, with the next marker being in 2015, the 90th birthday of HPPC.

1.3Aligning Ministry with Mission and Vision

(a) The Mission of God – The Mission of HPPC

The mission of God is to redeem people and renew creation in and through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The mission of God is the mission of HPPC. Out of love and obedience to God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to glorify God by living out the mission of redeeming people through “making disciples of Jesus Christ” and living out the mission of renewing creation through “making a difference in the world for the glory of God.”

As a result of human rebellion at the Fall, four broken relationships pull the world toward darkness and death and away from God. Without the gracious initiative of God, the relationship of every human being with God, with his or her true self, with other people, and with the world remains broken. Separated from God, psychologically fragmented, socially estranged and alienated from others, and in conflict with nature, the human condition, without the gracious intervention of God, is a wasteland, a war zone.

The mission of God is to redeem people and renew creation by restoring these relationships through reconciling people and the world to God in Christ.

“Redeeming people” or “making disciples of Jesus Christ” restores the first two relationships: with God and with one’s true self.. First, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, the relationship with God is restored. Second, authentic humanity is restored as a “new disciple” grows and becomes more and more like Jesus Christ. “Making disciples” has two phases. The first phase ends with “new birth,” with faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The second phase has no end. It is the process of becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. The Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20) can be viewed in this two-phase manner. First, it commands us to go and make “new” disciples. And, then in the second phase teach these disciples to obey the commands of God, that is, teach them to become more and more like Christ.