«A Statement of Vision, Goals and Objectives Of The Dominican Reformed

 

Introduction

 

We believe that the Holy Spirit is calling forth a new mission-minded church denomination in the context of the spiritual reality of the Dominican Republic. 

 

We understand that a denomination is a religious organization uniting a number of local congregations in single legal and administrative body for the purpose of participating in God’s mission in Christ in the world.

 

The new denomination will be known as the Dominican Reformed Church (IRD). 

 

The emergence and continuing life and witness of the IRD will be assisted through the IRD’s relationship with the Reformed Church in America (RCA).  The relationship between the IRD and the RCA will be characterized by accompaniment and coaching.  Through accompaniment, plans will be developed to start new churches, encourage Christian education and discipleship, exchange and build up new workers, share visions and tools for the improvement of the kingdom of Christ, and thus establish and nurture The Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic.

 

Vision of the Dominican Reformed Church

 

1.         The DRC will be a visionary, mission-minded and missionary-sending denomination both locally and globally in the reformed tradition of theology, confession and polity. 
2.         The DRC will be a self supporting denominational church.
3.         The DRC will look outward in mission, led by the Spirit, proclaiming the good news with enthusiasm, confidently communicating the vision of where God is calling us together.
4.         The DRC will develop social ministries in order to demonstrate to the world God’s friendship and love by manifesting the miracle of on-time help (for example, in education, health, prevention, family counselling, and diaconal help in time of national crisis).
5          The DRC will provide a space for unity in Christ among brothers and sisters, open to wide possibilities that begin with an academic platform ready to receive local and international workers, welcoming pastors with initiative but frustrated because of a lack of support, and embracing others who are succeeding in their Christian activities yet desire partnership in the journey to sustain them and secure their results.

Goal Areas

 

Based on awareness of the spiritual reality in the Dominican Republic and also the experience of long and fruitful ministry, we see the need to focus initially on the following goals and objectives.

 

• Structure. 

 

A reformed structure will provide stability and support for all the pastors and congregations of the IRD. 

• Pastors will be enabled to identify their role, perform it well. 
• They will be supervised according to agreed upon standards and rules.
• They will receive appropriate salary, medical insurance and retirement benefits for their ministries.

• Ministries. 

 

IRD pastors will be solidly grounded in reformed theology, creeds and confessions, namely the Apostles and Nicene Creeds, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of the Synod of Dordt, the Belgic Confession, and the Belhar Confession.  The Dominican Republic, due to its location in the centre of all the Caribbean, has been a readily available platform for various opinions and claims of innovation for the nurture and growth of the church and believers.   These streams of different thought – mostly advanced by individuals -- have been a blessing for the people of God, but at times have also introduced biblically unstable and misguided doctrines and practices that have put new generations of pastors and believers at risk.  A solid theological identity will enable the IRD, its pastors and members to stand firm in the future.

 

• Church Planting.  

 

The IRD will grow in numbers of churches and believers through a strategic plan to plant churches among the Dominicans and Haitians in the DR, and, if possible, internationally.       

 

• Key to the vision of church planting will be the establishment of the IRD Mission Center through which church planters will be formed.
• Churches will be added to the IRD through planting or by adopting other ministries or independent congregations who seek to join the mission and vision of the IRD.
• In the first two years the IRD will receive (i.e. adopt) and/or plant one hundred Dominican and Haitian churches in the DR.
• If it is possible to plant new churches in Haiti, an additional 50 churches would be started in the first two years.

 

• Discipleship and Service. 

The IRD will grow deeper in its life together and wider in its holistic engagement with the world.

• Praising and worshipping our Lord will be promoted according to the biblical pattern by establishing a contextual liturgy that values Dominican culture.
• Believers will grow in discipleship through recognizing the authority of the Holy Bible and submission under Jesus Christ ordinances.
• IRD families will be supported through initiatives to improve human relationships and communication skills.
• Believers will be formed to be sensitive to others and committed helpers for their needs.
• The IRD will seek to establish schools and universities (primary, secondary and high schools, and adult education) following the articles and regulations of the General Law of Education, numbers 66 – 97.
• Education and awareness projects highlighting the social and political rights of citizens will be created to promote the transformation in the Dominican society.
• The IRD will fight for justice for all people and for the care of creation. 
• Relationships will be established with government and non-government institutions, both national and international, in order to achieve IRD goals.
• Denominational headquarters will be established from which the IRD’s mission of transformational and holistic engagement of Dominican society will be directed.
• Relationships will be promoted with other denominations, congregations and church organizations that share the IRD’s vision.

 

Resources Identified in order to implement the IRD’s Goals and Objectives:

 

• A foundation of solid theological formation for the IRD’s future pastors.
• Resources to enable ministries that due to the lack of resources can not start their visions and ministries or do not dare to start.
• Funds to rent, buy or construct buildings for churches.
• Development of a retirement plan for IRD pastors, and consultation to do so, believing that God wants the IRD to so bless and dignify its pastors and leaders.»...