Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
A Personal Note from John Smid
A good friend asked me what motivated me in ministry. I shared with her some things that really tugged at my heart.
The modern American “church” is typically known as people who gather in buildings on Sunday morning for teaching, singing, and smiling about life.
I see it more as a collection of those who have embraced their own frailties, and have received the offer of grace through the salvation gift from Jesus Christ. These are members of the church and are in need of healthy connection to the Body of Christ.
However, some people are missing in action. There are events, circumstances, and personal wounds and choices that can bring someone to a place where they do not feel welcome to gather with others of like faith. Sometimes people experience rejection from others or they are consumed with shame and may find themselves alone and unsupported, Some of these folks may become susceptible to seeking connections outside of those who can encourage them towards growth in their faith and in making healthy decisions.
In some of these cases it may be desirable to reach out to these individuals and imperative to do so in safe one on one meetings to build a relationship based on honesty, active listening, and respect. This takes time and certainly a leading of God due to the sensitive nature of the individual’s fears and concerns. Without an outcome agenda, these meetings must contain a neutral stance on standards that come from perceived performance expectations. God’s standards are complete perfection and therefore, no person will reach that standard this side of heaven in human experience. Therefore, we are all on a journey and it is really important for us to seek ways to support those who are faltering or feel intimidated by large gatherings of believing Christians.
As the leading is present, making the effort to invest time and effort to build relationships with those around us will hopefully provide the safe atmosphere necessary to build a bridge from the lost, forsaken, and alone – to relationships, growth, and peace in a life with Christ that is rewarding and fulfilling.
Grace Rivers features a specific selection of concepts and core relational values that will help to guide relationships into building honest, listening, respectful connections. It is called The Journey of Thomas. This material can be reviewed in as little as one hour and thoroughly explored in an eight hour seminar format.
There is no lack of need for reaching those who are lost and afraid. The time is of the essence, there are lives at stake that desperately need a touch from a caring friend.
If you find this ministry vision something you resonate with and you aren’t already involved in Grace Rivers, we invite you to join us. Reaching those in need of a friend who can help is what we do. We hope you feel the same way.
Several people invested in my life to bring me back.
Read the story!
Sincerely,
John J. Smid
Executive Director
Tags: Grace Rivers Development, mission
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Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
Grace Rivers Development
Our plans are working out well. After just three meetings, our Steering Committee has made a tremendous amount of progress. I think the most important progress we have made is in effectively embracing the spirit of Grace Rivers. I truly believe that when the development team understands the concept of Grace Rivers, the rest will fall into place. I am thrilled to see this begin to take shape.
Our Steering Committee representation, myself and Todd Posey will be meeting with an attorney to begin the process of corporate applications and non-profit status applications. Thank you for praying for this very important part of our development process.
Todd Posey and I will be meeting for two whole days to develop a specific plan of implementation for Grace Rivers on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 29th and 30th. Please pray for God’s anointing on our time together.
Our Steering Committee has agreed to a final draft for our vision statement, mission statement, and our core values. See below:
Vision Statement:
Seeking God’s grace in our lives so that we can share it with others.
Mission Statement:
Grace Rivers is a worldwide ministry actively stirring the body of Christ towards healthier relationships and spiritual growth by helping people become more honest and real with themselves, others and God using biblical principles, resulting in a more passionate response to fulfilling the great commission.
Grace Rivers – Core Values
This is a draft of the Core Values that we will adhere to as a ministry. We honor them in order to keep communications and relationships within the leadership safe, honest and open, and to show respect and love to each person present.
pursue personal evaluation of one’s own motives and attitudes. (Luke 6:45;) Authenticity
practice honest, open, yet loving communication with each other that comes out of an internal honesty. Honesty (John 8:32)
refrain from talking at and preaching or teaching to one another, but rather will keep the focus on one’s own issues and feelings. (Matthew 7:1-5) Non-Judgmental
actively participate with respectful listening, personal input, and attentiveness. (James 1:19) Active Participation
refrain from attacking or demeaning another’s character. (Romans 12:10) Honor
put off responding defensively if confronted by another until enough time has passed to pray and reflect over what has been said. (James 1:19,20) Transparency
maintain strict confidentiality with regard to personal matters that come up within their time together, whether at conferences, with participants, or generally about personal and church matters. (Proverbs 11:13) Confidentiality
show sensitivity and give affirmation when someone has chosen to speak out in an honest and vulnerable way. (John 13:34) Sensitivity
stop any distracting behaviors (eating, gum chewing, drinking, fidgeting, doodling) when someone else is requiring focused attention – and electronic devices during all meetings. Respect
Tags: Core Values, mission, mission statement, vision, vision statement
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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
Our Vision
Pursuing God’s Grace in Our Lives
So That We Can Share it With Others
Our Mission
Grace Rivers is a worldwide ministry actively stirring the body of Christ towards healthier relationships and spiritual growth by helping people become more honest and real with themselves, others and God using biblical principles, resulting in a more passionate response to fulfilling the great commission.
Our Core Values:
- Authenticity in motives
- Honesty of the heart
- Non-Judgmental in response to one another
- Active Participation with one another
- Honoring one another
- Transparency with each other
- Confidentiality regarding one another
- Vulnerability about our lives
- Sensitivity with each other
- Respect for one another
Tags: Core Values, mission, vision
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Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Grace Rivers Development
Last evening our Steering Committee met and I am so encouraged by what I see developing! The members are practicing the Grace Rivers model and looking for its application in their daily lives. This is what Grace Rivers is all about, living out God’s grace and learning how to share it with others. God has established a great team to build this ministry on and I am excited to see it come about.
Grace Rivers
Last evening our Steering Committee met and I am so encouraged by what I see developing! The members are practicing the Grace Rivers model and looking for its application in their daily lives. This is what Grace Rivers is all about, living out God’s grace and learning how to share it with others. God has established a great team to build this ministry and I am excited to see it coming along.
We have almost finished writing our Mission and Vision statements. We have worked hard to find the right way to introduce Grace Rivers to the world. Here is another draft of what we are coming up with:
Vision Statement: passionate, healthy living from honest, authentic relationship with God, ourselves and others
Mission Statements:
- Grace Rivers is actively stirring men and women worldwide toward healthier relationships and spiritual growth.
- Grace Rivers uses biblical discipleship principles to help people become more authentic before God, themselves and others.
- Grace Rivers people are more passionately pursuing Christ’s mission for His church.
This will be further revised but we are getting there.
We have also come up with a draft of our “Core Values” which I am really excited about. I’ll share them with you at a later point.
We have approached two attorneys to assist us with the corporate applications but have not yet found the right person for the job. It is very important to get the right person for this job.
Please pray for:
- God’s continued work through the Steering Committee
- Continued development of the Mission Statement, Core Values and Leadership structures
- For divine selection of legal advisors who are proficient with non-profit corporation development
- God’s development of the GR Team
- Development of further speaking engagement opportunities
Tags: Core Values, mission, Prayer, statement, steering committee, vision
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