Background
Mission
Vision
Worship
Education
Fellowship
Evangelism
Administration
In 1950, a group of believers came to Sussex, New Jersey with a vision for a church and a Christian school in which God's people might gather for worship and might continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). God has given the Sussex CRC community a deep spiritual ability, combined with a strong desire for faithfulness to Christ and to His church. As a hands-on, goal-oriented group of people God has used the church to call numerous men and women to various avenues of faithful service in God's Kingdom. A church building and school now stand in what once was an empty pasture. Apartments for low-income seniors, built with the vision and labor of church members, stands next door. Dozens of members have given time in Christian service around the country and around the globe. We remain a tight, close-knit community that cares deeply about a faithful witness to Christ.
Much has also changed in our community in the past sixty years. Today, Sussex is no longer a rural dairy community but is becoming suburbanized. The population of Sussex and Wantage has increased by more than twenty percent since 1990. Communication has changed dramatically, and social issues offer new challenges as we seek to integrate our Christian faith with our daily lives. For this reason the council of Sussex CRC, together with a number of other leaders in the church, have taken up the challenge of identifying those issues which we believe God is leading us to address in the next 3-5 years of our ministry.
We believe that the items contained in this document spring out of the unique way in which God's Spirit has equipped His people in Sussex for ministry. It will also require intentional effort on our part to be aware of the ways in which the Spirit continues to sharpen our gifts as we reach out to our community in keeping with the Great Commission. The development and writing of this plan is worth nothing if we do not work together towards the steps of the ministry it envisions. Our desire is that through these steps, and with the Spirit's blessing, we would lay the framework which would enable a strong and faithful church to look back in 2070 and reflect with satisfaction and joy on sixty more years of ministry.
Go to TopThe Sussex Christian Reformed Church's mission is to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord by creating a caring, loving, and inspiring environment that will help all to mature in faith and relationship with God.
This mission is based on our belief that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and on God's infallible word, the Bible, and is supported by the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Creeds and Confessions of the Reformed tradition.
We will accomplish this through prayer, praise, education, worship services, and other church sponsored activities. This will empower our church to become a visible force in our community that reaches and serves families with the love of Jesus, bringing them into the growing family of God and influencing activities and policy in our rapidly changing world
The vision of Sussex Christian Reformed Church is to continue to build on the heritage of strong Faith and adherence to God's Word.
Individuals of all ages will experience caring loving relationships while working cooperatively with each other in service to our Lord.
Everyone will grow spiritually through inspiring worship, humble fervent prayer, insightful Bible study and the ongoing desire to confront and respond to contemporary issues.
Through leading by example, the church and individuals will engage and grow to be vital contributors in the community, radiating God's love.
This will lead members to serve and actively disciple their friends and neighbors, offer the good news of salvation and increase faithful members in the church family.
Go to TopEnhance worship to be a joyous, inspirational, dynamic and God-glorifying experience for all ages.
Our church's mission states 'The Sussex Christian Reformed Church's mission is to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord by creating a caring, loving, and inspiring environment that will help all to mature in faith and relationship with God.
This mission is based on our belief that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and on God's infallible word, the Bible, and is supported by the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Creeds and Confessions of the Reformed tradition.'
The vision states 'The vision of Sussex Christian Reformed Church is to continue to build on the heritage of strong Faith and adherence to God's Word.
Everyone will grow spiritually through inspiring worship, humble fervent prayer, and insightful Bible study.'
We envision having two worship services each Sunday: a morning service in which we praise and worship the God who has redeemed us in Christ and an evening service with a focus on learning more about our faith, celebrating what God is doing in and through the Sussex CRC community, and providing space for vibrant prayer as a community.
Our church will welcome guests and members of all ages to worship by including a healthy integration of styles: a range of songs that includes both time-honored hymns and contemporary worship songs, a variety of approaches that include both contemplative prayer and congregational liturgies, and a diversity of leadership in worship that recognizes the importance of the pastor's ministry while also developing the gifts God has given to members of the congregation.
Performance Measures:
Continue to interact with God's Word through faithful preaching which engages the daily lives of believers with a biblical worldview.
Embrace new technologies to include visual graphics in two-thirds of the worship services, and web cast every worship service by 2011.
Incorporate six new songs in worship each year while continuing to use a wide variety of music to praise God.
Develop the skills of at least a dozen congregation members of different ages to assist in planning and leading music and liturgy in public worship.
Build and strengthen comprehensive knowledge, through living and teaching of God's Word that leads to a genuine and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ and biblical insights to everyday issues.
Our church's mission states 'The Sussex Christian Reformed Church's mission is to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord by creating a caring, loving, and inspiring environment that will help all to mature in faith and relationship with God.
This mission is based on our belief that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation and on God's infallible word, the Bible, and is supported by the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Creeds and Confessions of the Reformed tradition.'
The vision states 'Everyone will grow spiritually through inspiring worship, humble fervent prayer, insightful Bible study and the ongoing desire to confront and respond to contemporary issues.'
Our church's education efforts will focus on thoroughly integrating a Reformed worldview in all programs and activities. We envision programs that will compliment each other to provide a unique and fresh perspective to all members as they learn and grow in their faith, and which in particular cultivates a strong, vibrant faith among our youth and families. We desire that our young people and adults would develop a close relationship with Jesus Christ, be able to witness to others, and defend what they believe (1 Peter 3:15).
Performance Measures:
Review existing education programs, recommend appropriate improvements and implement recommendations including hiring staff to lead and manage education programs by the fall of 2011.
By January 2011, forty households will participate in small groups that encourage and facilitate active learning relationships across age groups.
Formalize mentoring relationships for young Christians.
Build integrated relationships with Christian schools through prayer, financial aid, and volunteer efforts.
Encourage and facilitate individuals of all ages to experience caring and loving relationships while working cooperatively with each other in service to our Lord.
Our church's mission states 'The Sussex Christian Reformed Church's mission is to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord by creating a caring, loving, and inspiring environment that will help all to mature in faith and relationship with God.'
The vision states 'Individuals of all ages will experience caring loving relationships while working cooperatively with each other in service to our Lord.'
As our congregation grows, we will continue to strive toward an atmosphere that strengthens bonds among our members of all ages. We will work to develop and facilitate social events and activities that promote loving relationships with each other. We also desire to become a community that integrates new members in a way that is both intentional and natural, and empowers them to contribute to the work of God's Kingdom. (Eph. 4:13)
Performance Measures:
There will be a minimum of 2 church wide social events annually.
Elders will visit every family and member every 2 years.
Twenty-five people will give regularly of their time to serve the Sussex Help Center, Today's Choice, Interfaith Hospitality Network and other community programs that improve the lives of those who are being served.
The council will lead in promoting the practice of regular prayer for one another and for the health of our church in small group and worship settings as well as in personal devotions.
We will provide clear information on the activities and mission of the church through a variety of communication methods, including our bulletin, Web site, and regular e-mail updates or newsletters.
Our church will grow, by enthusiastically engaging in the community and by radiating God's love by active discipleship. We will continue to assist in human support efforts offering the good news of salvation in our region and abroad.
Our church's mission states 'This will empower our church to become a visible force in our community that reaches and serves families with the love of Jesus, bringing them into the growing family of God and influencing activities and policy in our rapidly changing world'
The vision states 'This will lead members to serve and actively disciple their friends and neighbors, offering the good news of salvation, increasing faithful members in the church family'
The church has a mandate to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). This mandate is two-pronged: first, we are called to share the gospel with our neighbors. Second, we are also called to support those who are engaged in full-time missions and mercy ministries.
We envision a community where the members of Sussex CRC actively build relationships with those around them to share the good news of the gospel and invite others into fellowship with Christ and his church.
Currently, we support six missionary ministries that extend from New Jersey to Africa and a number of local and global service ministries. These ministries are important and will continue to have our church's full support through prayer, financial aid, and volunteer efforts.
Performance Measures:
A minimum of 20 people per year will participate in church supported service action projects.
Twenty-five people will give regularly of their time to serve the Sussex Help Center, Today's Choice, Interfaith Hospitality Network and other community programs that improve the lives of those who are being served.
Our church will support eight missionary ministries by 2011.
Challenge each household in our congregation to invite at least one new individual or family each year to begin worshiping at Sussex CRC.
Maintain and continue to support a functional environment that is seamless and well coordinated, which empowers leaders and allows for the efficient administration of all church activities.
It is imperative that administration of our church be efficient and effective to allow singular focus on the mission that God has called us to (1 Cor. 14:40).
Performance Measures:
Deacons will annually review offering causes for their consistency with the mission and vision of Sussex CRC.
The church books will be audited annually.
Committees will work with the council to identify members to replace those who have fulfilled their terms.
Council will review staffing annually to ensure work performance meets expectations, work is efficiently coordinated and review possible additional staffing needs.
Each year, fifteen church leaders will take part in training programs to further develop the leadership of church and its ministries, supported in part by the leadership development fund of the church's budget.
We will provide clear information on the activities and mission of the church through a variety of communication methods, including our bulletin, Web site, and regular e-mail updates or newsletters.
The council will lead in promoting the practice of regular prayer for one another and for the health of our church in small group and worship settings as well as in personal devotions.