What is “Renewal-Driven Mission”?
Our belief is that as local church leaders and congregations walk the ancient paths—as they move in step with God’s Spirit and experience the life Jesus offers—they’ll be changed and exemplify the following characteristics…
A working definition
We join with the Holy Spirit and one another in the work of personal, social, and cultural renewal. Our leaders seek to walk in the reality that God is making all things new. We participate in this work by seeking the good of the communities where he has placed us.
A humble example
This world is broken, but our God has a rescue plan. We’re a network of churches that believes God is still in the business of renewing his world. Our conviction is that as God renews us, he’ll use us to renew all things.
One of our churches in Traverse City (MI), partners with the local YMCA to leverage their unused facility during the week for classes and education. A church in Kentucky offers free quarterly medical clinics for neighbors without health insurance. A church in Southwest Florida partners with adoption agencies and orphanages so that every child might have a safe place to call home.
Some simple behaviors
Harbor Network leaders seek to walk in the reality that God is making all things new. We participate in this work by seeking the good of the communities where he has placed us.
Harbor Network leaders and churches believe that renewal starts personally (between the holiness of God and sinfulness of humans), moves socially (between and among people in acts of reconciliation), and multiplies culturally & globally (the renewal of all things — culture, communities, creation).
Harbor Network leaders and churches see social justice, mercy ministry, reconciliation, poverty alleviation, education renewal, and creativity and the arts as just some examples flowing from the value of Renewal-Driven Mission.
Harbor Network leaders and churches believe and live as if our cities will be objectively better because a Harbor Network church is present there.
Scriptures to reference
Proverbs 31:8-9
Isaiah 1:17
Matthew 28
Acts 1:8, 19
Romans 8:19-23
1 Corinthians 15
2 Corinthians 5:17
Revelation 21:5
Resources to explore
Renewal as a Way of Life by Richard Lovelace
Generous Justice by Tim Keller
When Helping Hurts by Corbett & Brian Fikkert
Restoring at Risk Communities by John Perkins
The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
The Mission of God by Christopher Wright
Generous Justice by Tim Keller
Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller
Kingdom Calling by Amy Sherman
In Search of the Common Good by Jake Meador
Casey Smith is a native Midwesterner who works as Harbor Network’s Communications Director. He also works as the worship pastor of Trinity Community Church, a Harbor Network church in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to joining Harbor Network, he managed banking centers for Bank of America and worked with Acts 29 in the US and Western Europe.
