Christianity in the United States is shrinking and one reason is that people, especially young people, are leaving.
Ventura Vineyard's mission statement is, "Living life from the inside out." Mastering your inner world is important and Jesus is the master teacher. As we encounter God on the inside, we become better witnesses on the outside.
Ventura Vineyard's vision statement is, "Provoking faith in those who have it and those who don't."
Ventura Vineyard's values are:
1. Engage - "We must engage God, ourselves, our community, and our world." Expansive faith sees science as a tool to teach us about God and Creation. Don't hide away from those who think differently. Seek true dialogue.
2. Transform - We need to transform from the inside out and be a transformative presence in the world.
3. Respond - We respond to God's initiative in the world to expand God's Kingdom. We have to be the presence of God in the world. We respond to God's initiative in the world as peacemakers.
Peacemakers do not objectify people. Engage real people in real relationships. No stereotypes. Work to look past stereotypes and get to know people.
Peacemakers work to reconcile people.
Peacemakers bring the Kingdom of God where it is not. We need to include everyone in our definition of community, reaching out to those others reject. Go out to where the people are. Look to Jesus as an example.
Listen rather than preach. True dialogue builds bridges. Work to reconcile. Check out Jeffrey Brown (inner city Baptist minister) on TED Talks. The Boston Miracle, following these rules in his community, led to a 79% reduction in violent crime.
You changing will change the world around you. We can do something meaningful together. Let us be peacemakers.
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