Goal Five: REFRESH! Renewing our efforts toward relational connectivity and identity (John 17:21-22) for every individual, church, and agency.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” [John 17:20-26 (niv)].

Church of God Ministries and its transformational partners desire that all who travel under the banner of the Church of God reformation movement will know each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, love each other in Great Commandment love, and serve each other and the world, together, in fulfillment of the Great Commission—relational connectivity—and serve each other through supporting, meeting, talking, contributing, praying, and gathering together—relational identity.

We are not called only to love each other but to serve each other. Our identity as a people of God is bound up in our common reformational mission—transforming the culture by being the body of Christ. Being the body of Christ means connecting with each other, meeting each other, attending and supporting local, state, regional, provincial, and national efforts and meetings. We are the caring body of Christ and we are the connected and collaborating body of Christ.

Over the next years, these resources will be refreshed, more fully developed, and new resources will be added.

Resources:

• Sometimes we think it is really complicated to be a witness. Sometimes we think it requires a big flashy show to get people to pay attention. Sometimes we think we have to have all kinds of programs and services going on in our church to get people to come visit. Jesus drew crowds because he was available, because he met needs, and because he cared for everyone. This link will take you to a story about how one challenged young man made a huge difference in the place he worked. I wonder if this would work in the Great Commandment and the Relationally Connected church?
• Snedden, Brenda. Sermon: REFRESH! Renewing our efforts toward relational connectivity and identity for every individual, church, and agency. (audio, manuscript)
• Snedden, Brenda. Sermons on the Five Transformation Themes (audio downloads)
• Snedden, Brenda. Sermons on the Five Transformation Themes (manuscripts)
• Ferguson, David. The Never Alone Church.
• Link to The 4 M Church.
• Stafford, Gilbert W. The Church of God at the Crossroads. Warner Press, 2000.
• Stafford, Gilbert W. Vision for the Church of God at the Crossroads. Warner Press, 2002.

• Preaching, Teaching, and Discussion Resources: REFRESH! Inspiration, guidance, and helps on how to preach and teach about Transformational Goal #5 can be found by clicking on this link. On the new page you will find a variety of resources written and developed by your fellow pastors and area administrators as they have, on their own, with their congregations, and with other pastors engaged in transforming the culture by being the body of Christ.