|
KWC
Stand to Reason equips Christian ambassadors with knowledge, wisdom, and character. An effective ambassador has three essential skills:
Knowledge - an accurate grasp of the foundational precepts of the Kingdom
Wisdom - skillful, tactical, fair, and diplomatic use of knowledge
Character - a mature expression of virtue, warmth, and personal depth
Our Mission
Our mission statement explains what kind of activity we're involved in. Stand to Reason's mission can be stated like this:
Stand to Reason trains Christians to think more clearly about their faith and to make an even-handed, incisive, yet gracious defense for classical Christianity and classical Christian values in the public square.
Regardless of the precise wording, our mission has six important elements:
-
What is our principle activity? Training
-
Who do we train? Christians
-
What do we train them to do? Think clearly and make a defense
-
What is the manner in which they do this? Intellectually fair, gracious and incisive
-
What will the scope of their defense? The doctrines and ethics of classical Christianity
-
Where is this defense made? The public square
We focus on the basics, the fundamentals of theology and ethics, and the fundamental tools of thought. This distinguishes us from other organizations. For example, the Christian Research Institute (CRI) is a place to get information. Though we do give information, STR is the place to get educated. We teach not just what to think, but how to think. STR is not that unique in the information we give, but in the way we use the information.
STR teaches the value of using our minds to love God and share the Gospel. We teach careful reasoning and well thought-out answers so that Christians will participate in public discussion (at home, at work, or at the university) so that the Christian world view has a place in the debate. We encourage Christians to develop coherent answers to questions that challenge Christianity so that their faith is deepened and thereby are emboldened to share the Gospel.
What we do is in contrast with what we don't do.
We don't do analysis of specific cults of Christianity, though indirectly we help undermine their impact.
We don't engage in political action per se, though our arguments may pertain to issues that have political ramifications.
We are not principally an evangelistic organization, though we expect our efforts to aid in fulfilling the Great Commission. We are plowers and sowers, not harvesters.
We don't do public advocacy, as in debates. Our principal goal is not to be the spokesperson of Christianity. Instead, we want to train many in the Body of Christ to be spokespersons. Our public advocacy (as opposed to our public training) is principally for the purpose of modeling.
Our Values
The work of STR is driven not just by our mission, but also by what we value. Here is a list of those things that are preeminent among our values. We value:
People--All human beings are made in the image of God and are therefore valuable ends in themselves, not just instrumental means to other ends that are valuable.
Discipleship--Spiritual growth and training is accomplished in the context of relationship, both formal and informal, near and far, for the purpose of building skilled Christians, internally (spiritual formation) and externally (impact on others). This is the goal of the Great Commission.
The Life of the Mind--Skill in thinking is very important to us. Ideas matter, and persuasion using sound reasoning is an effective tool God uses to reach the lost. Ongoing education is an intrinsic good.
The Body of Christ--The work of the Kingdom is a corporate, cooperative effort of the Body, each part working with the other parts for the health of the organism. We promote strategic cooperation with other Christian groups working for the Kingdom, and networking to increase our total effectiveness.
Orthodoxy--This is our content base. We stand in the mainstream of historic Christianity.
Cultural Relevancy and Tactical Soundness--In the public square we seek to contextualize our message in a way that is most meaningful and most persuasive to the ones listening, seasoning our words so that we know how to respond to each person. This means we often take an "" approach with those who have not yet gained a respect for the authority of Scripture.
Faithfulness over Results--Our first call is to be faithful to Christ, who alone can bring the increase. Results are a secondary, not primary, measure of our legitimacy.
Honesty and Integrity--We seek to be above reproach in the way we function as an organization, and above reproach as individuals. We want to be attractive and virtuous people in the eyes of others.
Excellence and Professionalism--As ambassadors for Christ, we give care to all aspects of the presentation of our organization. The attention we give to details--graphics, grammar, punctuation, physical appearance, follow-up, customer satisfaction, etc.--demonstrates our commitment to be attractive for Christ.
Accuracy, Clarity, and Even-handedness--We take truth seriously. Therefore, we handle information carefully, and don't twist or distort it to advance our own point of view. We have no use for sophistry that makes our arguments more persuasive at the expense of the truth. We make every attempt to avoid religious language that may have little meaning to the listener, or may isolate us culturally from those we're trying to reach.
Activism--We encourage Christians to take the initiative in making a difference for Christ in extending the Kingdom, rather than being in a defensive mode.
Applications of the Vision
Training Curriculum
We take a "this-is-all-you-need" approach to curriculum. Any given training tape or series will give the most critical information one needs to master the really important material, giving fair-minded arguments based on sound reasoning and well-researched facts. Curriculum will consist of CDs and audiotapes for individual instruction and DVD and video-tapes for groups, along with notes or course syllabi. Curriculum will include:
- STR Interactive courses will be "plug and play" packages that cover the essentials to equip ambassadors on the essentials of defending the faith.
- The Ambassador Basic Curriculum (ABC) is a three part set that is the place for new and experienced ambassadors for Christ to begin their studies. The sets are available on CD and audiotape, accompanied by extended study notes. The curriculum lays the foundation of ambassador skills. The sets can be used by individuals, in mentoring groups, or classroom settings.
- Individual audiotapes & CDs, DVDs and videotapes
- Books that we think represent the best thinking and accessible writing on relevant topics
- In-house publications, like booklets, Solid Ground, and mentoring letter.
Our Web Site--STR's International Library
Visitors to our web site will discover a variety of stimulating opportunities to be trained as thinking Christians, to receivematerials that will instruct them, or to be directed to sources that will meet their needs. Visitors will be able to:
- Purchase STR resources
- Subscribe to Solid Ground, our main resource for STR's users and donors
- Download STR articles
- Access STR's blog, our daily thoughts on current issues
- Purchase significant books in the field, our selections emphasizing an all-you-need approach
- Download other's articles that we have permission to post on our site
- Listen to our radio show
- Jump to other relevant sites
- Dialogue with others on critical issues
Radio
Stand to Reason embodies effective ambassador skills in a live, call-in radio broadcast offering an open public forum on ethics, values and religion. The show will be a place where intellectually rigorous Christianity is put to the test publicly, an incarnational approach where methods of advocacy--the content, tactics, posture, attitude, and delivery--have flesh and blood and bones attached to them. The radio show is vital for national exposure and promotion of the vision of STR.
STR Faculty
STR will offer talks, courses and seminars (Master's Series, annual conference, etc.) geared towards helping Christians gain the practical tools they need to make a difference in their world, giving them both the knowledge and the confidence to be players again in the world of ideas.
We will field a growing number of speakers through our in-house speaker's bureau. These will represent STR at individual functions where our materials can be displayed. We will focus on using the best, most careful and articulate communicators.
Access to Formal Programs
Some people will want more formal, degreed training & education. Therefore, we will build relationships with schools whose programs we promote. These can be featured on our web site.
General Marketing
We want our materials to be available through outside retail markets (Christian bookstores, etc.).
|
