The Presbytery of San Fernando considers each one of its member churches is a mission center and that God’s mission through us is better carried out in partnership with one another. Through an extensive and prayerful process, the leadership of our Presbytery identified three goals that we feel the Holy Spirit is guiding us to pursue together in the next two years. 

These questions can be used as a way of helping your Session, committee or group learn more about the goals, discuss ways in which they may relate to or resonate with you and offer suggestions that could be helpful to the Presbytery and other congregations.

DIRECTION 1: RETURN TO OUR ROOTS

The presbytery will seek and be able to pass on a Christian faith that is Reformed, Presbyterian in governance, multiethnic, multicultural in scope, and disciple-making in focus, using as touchstones the Great Ends of the Church in the Book of Order (F1.0304).

OBJECTIVE 1A: The Presbytery will go deeper in prayer and study together. To implement this, the Presbytery will introduce new spiritual elements into our meetings. These will include but not be limited to seeking God as we refocus our mission, starting regional gatherings to pray and study regularly together, thereby helping us learn from one another and covenant together to share our legacy with new generations. The Presbytery will also begin to help its churches equip elders through leadership training events.

OBJECTIVE 1B: The Presbytery will focus on a) the study of Scripture regarding God’s mission; b) recognizing the people to be reached; c) listening for God’s guidance; d) praying to the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers to be sent forth. 

DIRECTION 2: PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE AND EFFECTIVE CARE FOR EXISTING CONGREGATIONS

The Presbytery, continuing its care and oversight for present congregations, will provide transformational development for the leadership of these congregations. 

OBJECTIVE 2A: The Presbytery will train, or provide training for the transformational leaders who work for transformational outcomes for existing congregations.

OBJECTIVE 2B: The Presbytery will offer to struggling congregations an assessment of where they are in ministry and what options they likely have for their future. If the way be clear, the Presbytery will partner with those churches that want to pursue such transformational options to provide help and resources.

DIRECTION 3: DEVELOP AN EXPERIMENTAL DISCIPLE-MAKING NETWORK TO EQUIP CHURCHES TO ADVANCE THE BOUNDARIES OF MINISTRY

The Presbytery will work to ensure local embodiment of missional discipleship.

OBJECTIVE 3A: The Presbytery will apply lessons learned from Bridges and Cyclical LA to resource willing congregations with ideas, coaching, seminars, and hands- on activities to make disciples who can in turn make disciples.

OBJECTIVE 3B: The Presbytery will identify resources to help the Presbytery and its churches to communicate the Gospel message and Reformed theology to contemporary society and through contemporary media.

OBJECTIVE 3C: The Presbytery will discern and establish a description of the concept “missional” for our context of ministry.

OBJECTIVE 3D: The Presbytery will explore ways to expand ministry within its context.

OBJECTIVE 3E: The Presbytery will design a template for mutual encouragement, missional focus, equipping and coaching relationships and processes.

Our beliefs are basic to our life together. They are the source of ourcommon values and convictions which provide vitality and direction to our actions and our mission. These particular belief statements, which are consistent with our reformed tradition, have been selected because they bring focus to our work. They are the basis on which this Vision and Mission Statement has been created.

DIRECTION 4: STRENGTHEN LAY AND PASTORAL LEADERSHIP FOR ALL CONGREGATIONS

The Presbytery of San Fernando. February 2018 The presbytery will endeavor to raise up and commission our own church ministry entrepreneurs

and pastoral leaders.

DIRECTION 5: MANAGE OUR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL ASSETS TO MAXIMIZE FRUITFULNESS

The Presbytery will reallocate and focus its financial assets on its strategic directions. The Presbytery will establish the Position of Associate for Strategic Ministry, and close the current Position of Associate for Congregational Renewal.