We often pray, “Thy Will be done”, but are we always able to discern God’s Will?  For example, a few years back we thought that it was in His Will that we purchase and build upon the Kinnelon property ... but what is His Will now that the Highland’s Act has put a hold on things?  Your Pastors and Council have been praying on the matter and feel that the Lord is causing us to take a hard look internally at our ministries here at PPRBC so that, Lord willing, we may be better prepared to move and to grow at a future time.  Here are some of the questions with which we have been wrestling along with what we believe to be God’s leading in the answers given:

What is the primary reason for the existence of PPRBC at this time and in this place?  In other words, what is its mission?  Because the MISSION of any church must in some way reflect the Great Commission, Council has adopted the following:

The MISSION of PPRBC is to love people where they are⁽¹⁾ and to disciple them to where Christ wants them to be.⁽²⁾

Please note that every word is pregnant with meaning!   People where they are (the saved and unsaved as well as the spiritually needy from other denominations); Love (the “better” way of I Corinthians 13); and to disciple them to where Christ wants them to be (the mandate of the Great Commission and the need for accountability through growth-oriented ministries).

What makes PPRBC unique amongst other churches?  What is its vision?  Council has adopted the following:

The VISION of PPRBC is to be a Biblically-based, faithfully Reformed, caring congregation with an evangelistic, missionary zeal.

Being traditional in our approach is part of what sets us apart.  The VISION Statement answers the question as to “What is our calling?”

What are the enduring, no-compromise principles that will guide how PPRBC does ministry in the pursuit of its mission and vision?

These are the CORE VALUES and they stand within a FRAMEWORK which identifies those key characteristics which we expect to see in the lives of people who are fully participating in the mission of this church.   The Framework outlines the overarching agenda of the church – that which every program and process works toward implementation as we pursue the direction in which God is leading us.  Council has adopted the “3 Ls” (Learning, Living and Leading) further explained as follows:

• Learning based upon the Word of God
  
  • WE WORSHIP by listening to God and responding to Him through praise, confession and thanksgiving.  Our worship is God-centered and inspiring with a style of music which blends together in reverential joy.
  • WE STAND ON HIS WORD and apply that truth in our lives, remaining faithful to Reformed Doctrines.
  • WE PRAY realizing that “apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 5:5c)
• Living as a member of the Body of Christ
  
  • WE ARE EQUIPPED by discovering and developing our gifts which provide meaningful opportunities for ministry to family, church, community and missions.
  • WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS of our time, talents and resources.
  • WE SEEK UNITY amongst the “Family of God,” recognizing our differences while remaining one in Jesus Christ.  We do this in a spirit of humility through words of encouragement.
• Leading others to a life of Christian discipleship by the power of the Holy Spirit
  
  • WE  SERVE to lovingly meet the needs of others after the example of Jesus – unconditionally and sacrificially.
  • WE REACH OUT as Christ’s Ambassadors in this world in sharing our faith and meeting the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of those about us.
  • WE LOOK AHEAD in the development and constant evaluation of our ministries by focusing on what God is calling us to be and to do.  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord – Plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

What does Council hope to achieve by having a Mission, a Vision, and a Framework with its Core Values?

In a word, ALIGNMENT.  We desire that the lives of each member will be aligned with God’s Will as revealed in His Word.  But as a church, a “Family of God,” we seek a collective alignment of belief and practice.  We will be seeking to reorient the various ministries of PPRBC according to the arrows in our logo.

The Enemy is a formidable foe and is ever desirous of seeking to divide and conquer.  But, in Christ Jesus, we can collectively "fight the Good Fight."   We seek to be a congregation that delights in being co-laborers with Christ in the building of His Church and Kingdom -- both now and in the future (Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-13).

It is the humble and heartfelt prayer of your leadership that by God’s grace all of us will own and seek to implement the mission and vision of PPRBC, and that by being committed to a life of Learning, Living and Leading to the honor and glory of God, each one of us, individually and collectively, may strive to make such a difference in this world that we will one day be rewarded by hearing these words of commendation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.  Enter now into thy rest.”

 

⁽¹⁾Great Commandment, Matt. 22:37-39      ⁽²⁾Great Commission, Matt. 28:19-20