A Question Answered
The Mission and Vision of TDBC
Mission:
Over the last few decades there has been an excessive amount of weight of importance given to what some call “vision”. This is misplaced, our Lord and saviour Jesus gave all believers a mission in the pronouncement of the Great Commission (see Matt 28.16-20; Mk 16.15-18; Lk 24.46-49; Acts 1.8). Understanding this commission gives us the why in what church and faith communities are about. How the mission looks will be different for each community, but the call remains the same.
To be a light in the darkness a place of hope, a place of refuge, and a living testimony to God’s Love, Mercy, and Justice, through the promotion of the gospel message, by words and deeds.
This can be and is achieved through, meeting people where they are, seeing lives transformed, and being strengthened by the knowledge of God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will serve His Kingdom in faith as it extends across the Traralgon District.
By reaching the lost, teaching the message of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and training believers to become disciples of Jesus and obedient to His command of sharing the good news. We are fulfilling the great commission, and this is what gives us vision, because we see what God desires (Matt 28. 19-20; Mark 16.16; Luke 24.47; Jn 21.1-19; Acts 1.8).
Vision:
Reaching, teaching and training the lost through Active Engagement
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you might proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you [italics mine] out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2.9-10 (NRSV).
“But in your hearts, sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you.” 1 Pet 3.15 (NRSV)
Traralgon and district Baptist church is called to speak God's love through words and deeds. By meeting people where they are and being open to receiving the "tired, hungry and the poor" (Matt 25.31-46); being strengthened through the love of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Jn 16.5-16); we will serve the Kingdom of God as it extends across the Latrobe Valley (Matt 20.1-16).
Being a place of refuge, a sanctuary for the displaced, a tree for all who seek shelter from the ravages of life, a place of peace where justice and mercy can be found, and the love of God experienced by all who seek Him.
By Embracing the call of God (Matt 22.37-39), TDBC will stand as a light in the darkness for all to see (Matt 5.13-16).
Being God's people for God's purposes
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you might proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Being trained as disciple makers, professing our faith in word and deed, we will reflect the Light of Christ into our community.
This will be achieved by active engagement in our community, demonstrating God’s love through action and giving our testimony to God’s grace mercy and faithfulness.
The detail of how this looks will be different for each ministry area/team as we use our gifts and talents to build God’s Kingdom. Understanding this, each ministry area should in turn develop a vision of how it fulfills the mission that TDBC is called to.