Transformed and Transforming A er Guide for the 2013 RCA General Synod Before the start of General Synod 2013, consider joining other delegates and RCA congregations in a 21-day journey of prayer, or prayer and fasting. Each day for the next 21 days before synod, you re invited to use the daily Scripture passages, prayer focus, and prayer. Also, please prayerfully consider fasting on each of the three Fridays prior to synod. Day 1 Read Romans 12:1-21 and Revelation 7:9-12 Romans 12:1-21 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Revelation 7:9-12 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. The General Synod Council will bring to General Synod 2013 a recommendation to approve a document called Transformed and Transforming. If approved, the document will serve as the focus for how the RCA engages in ministry together over the next 15 years.
Here s the introduction to the recommendation: Transformed and Transforming Radically Following Christ in Mission Together In cooperation with the Holy Spirit, serving with each other, and working with all the partners God provides, as we move toward a fifth century of mission and ministry, the Reformed Church in America will focus on three interconnected strategic priorities: 1. 2. 3. Bullet points listed under each of these three areas more fully explain each strategic priority. For the next 21 days, the RCA will lift up to God in prayer each ministry area and bullet point. Regardless of how, may we all prepare our hearts to answer the call to be a people who are transformed and transforming by allowing ourselves to be caught up in the vision of Revelation 7:9-12. God of our salvation, as your people gather in Iowa, may their work be worshipful and may all that is said and done bring honor and glory to the One who sits on the throne. May we agree in one voice to radically following Christ in mission together. In the name of the One who was and is and is to come. Amen and amen. Day 2 Read John 15:9-17 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. Developing passionate lifelong believers who live and love like Jesus. Lord Jesus, help us to love each other the way you loved your friends according to your promise and purpose for us. Amen.
Day 3 Read 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 and 5:17-18 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation Deepening our spiritual journey in ways that are biblical and Reformed. May we together reflect the Lord s glory as we open ourselves to being made new in Christ day by day. Lord, make it so. Amen. Day 4 Read Matthew 22:37-40 and Galatians 3:28 Matthew 22:37-40 He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Loving and embracing the diversity of all people. God, redefine for us who our neighbors are and give us grace to love them as much as we love ourselves. We need your power to live and love like this. Amen. Day 5 Read Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. Opening ourselves humbly to deep change under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Lord God, we need cleansing and purifying under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Forgive us when we stubbornly hang on to our old patterns of living. Make us willing and open to transformation. Amen.
Day 6 Read Acts 2:42-47 and Hebrews 10:19-23 Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Hebrews 10:19-23 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Increasing our personal and corporate devotion to Christ. Jesus, in your powerful name we ask for a deep sense of awe to come over us as we worship and fellowship with one another. May we experience great joy as we grow in our devotion to you and your church. Amen. Day 7 Read Titus 2:6-8, 11-15 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you. Building intentional intergenerational discipling relationships with youth. God, we ask you to help those who are mature in the faith reflect integrity and be available to encourage and instruct the next generation for the sake of your kingdom. Amen.
Day 8 Read Ephesians 4:2-6 and Romans 12:14-21 Ephesians 4:2-6...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Romans 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Engaging conflict in healthy and redemptive ways. Lord, we need humility, gentleness, patience, and peace when we disagree with each other. Help us, O God, for on our own we are incapable, but we place our hope in you. Amen. Day 9 Read Jeremiah 1:4-8 and Luke 9:48 Jeremiah 1:4-8 Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Then I said, Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy. But the Lord said to me, Do not say, I am only a boy ; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. Luke 9:48 [Jesus] said to them, Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest. Increasing the awareness that God is calling youth and young adults to become leaders. We acknowledge, great God, that you call children and youth to lead in significant ways. May we learn from your example and release young people into leadership without hindrance. Amen.
Day 10 Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 1 Samuel 17:33 Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 1 Samuel 17:33 Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth. Developing youth intentionally for missional, congregational, and pastoral leadership. Lord, show us those young people whom you ve called to serve. Help us develop them well. May they follow you with courage and strength. Amen. Day 11 Read Ephesians 4:11-12 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ Mobilizing emerging leaders for service in the church and the world. God, this world is in desperate need of leaders who will make a difference. May the RCA be a people who invest in emerging leaders who will impact the world for your sake. Amen. Day 12 Read 2 Timothy 2:2 and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Preparing leaders of all ages for fruitful ministry in diverse environments. Holy God, you call both the young and the old to serve in the most unique environments. Ready us in order that we might be prepared to serve in Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. Amen.
Day 13 Read Exodus 3 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up. When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am. Then he said, Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. He said further, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? He said, I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain. But Moses said to God, If I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your ancestors has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? what shall I say to them? God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. He said further, Thus you shall say to the Israelites, I AM has sent me to you. God also said to Moses, Thus you shall say to the Israelites, The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you : This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations. Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. I declare that I will bring you up out of the misery of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey. They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. I know, however, that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will perform in it; after that he will let you go. I will bring this people into such favor with the Egyptians that, when you go, you will not go empty-handed; each woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman living in the neighbor s house for jewelry of silver and of gold, and clothing, and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters; and so you shall plunder the Egyptians. Cultivating diverse and healthy leaders so that churches can thrive. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, Lord. Thank you for calling those who don t feel equipped to serve. Help the RCA to invest in all types of leaders so that your church may thrive. Amen.
Day 14 Read Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Contextualizing ministry and church in new and expanded ways. Gracious God, just as your first apostles contextualized their ministry in the midst of Judaism, may we devote ourselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread together, and prayer in new and expanded ways. For Jesus sake, amen. Day 15 Read Matthew 9:37 and 13:44 Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Prioritizing youth involvement in missional ministry. God of the harvest, we sense the movement of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the next generation. May we encourage them in every possible way to joyfully serve as workers for the sake of your kingdom. In the name of Jesus, amen. Day 16 Read Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. Serving as agents of change through putting our faith in action. God of grace and mercy, you have changed our hearts and made us new. May our churches be agents of change by graciously and mercifully proclaiming good news in word and deed. In the name of the only King and head of the church, amen.
Day 17 Read Micah 6:8 and Matthew 14:14 Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Matthew 14:14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Promoting justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Reconciling God, you have called us to justice, treated us mercifully, and modeled true humility. May we extend the same compassion to others as you did in sending your Son into the world. In Christ s name, amen. Day 18 Read Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Expanding mission that is both local and global with equal passion and commitment. Lord Jesus, just as you called your disciples to be in mission in the world so you have called us. May we embrace your mission and share the gospel beyond our church walls. In the name of the One who is always with us, amen. Day 19 Read Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Equipping existing churches to move outward in ministry. Lord, we praise you for the equipping power of the Holy Spirit. May we receive that power with anticipation of witnessing to people in the places you are calling us to. In the strong name of Jesus, amen.
Day 20 Read Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Embracing our mission to the world and sharing the good news of the gospel with everyone. Lord Jesus, just as you called your disciples to be in mission in the world so you have called us. May we embrace your mission and share the gospel beyond our church walls. In the name of the One who is always with us, amen. Day 21 Read Luke 10:25-37 Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he said, what must I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? What do you read there? He answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. And he said to him, You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live. But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Jesus replied, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend. Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? He said, The one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. Multiplying missional communities and new churches that put the love of Christ into action. God of grace and goodness, may we put love into action just as the Good Samaritan did. Moreover, may we willingly and consistently go and do likewise, so that your goodness is multiplied many times over. In the name of our Lord and Savior, amen.