The Initiative
Our Covenant
We covenant together to live in an intentional initiative, practicing deep and growing friendship with God and others, that the love of Jesus might exceed all divisions. Our Way “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35 NRSV) Walking together in the Way of Jesus (Acts 9:2) draws us into unity (John 17:21). We call this missional-ecumenism.* Led by the Holy Spirit, we will each take the initiative to: • work proactively for missional- ecumenism. • pray daily for a radical increase of love for the whole body of Christ. • share our lives with followers of Jesus from traditions other than our own. We will do this by: • organizing or promoting at least one monthly engagement with others to demonstrate the love of Jesus and to pursue deeper unity. This commitment includes gatherings in many different contexts, one-on-one and in groups. • attending an annual gathering of The Initiative unless hindered by health, family commitments, or other important reasons. • financially supporting The Initiative and the wider work of missional-ecumenism. • inviting others to work in The Initiative as members or friends. * Missional-ecumenism expresses the core vision of The Initiative. By missional we understand God as a unity of persons in eternal relationship. This relationship means that God is a sending God, who loves the world. He sends his Son into the world to liberate and redeem the entire cosmos. God’s revealed desire is that we be in relationship with him, and one another, thus becoming the sent ones who take the good news of the kingdom to all by living in divine unity. The Initiative P.O. Box 88216 Carol Stream, Illinois 60188 johna1949@gmail.com Copyright 2017 The Initiative Design by Cheryl Blum Blum Graphic Design Wheaton, Illinois blumdesign@ameritech.net Web Development by Benjamin Wechsler Benjamin Wechsler, Inc Durham, NC ask@benwechsler.com
John H. Armstrong served as a pastor in Illinois for twenty years, and then in 1991 founded the ACT3 Network, fostering unity among Christians of many traditions. As this mission developed over two and a half decades, it led ultimately to the creation of The Initiative. John serves the goals and vision of this community as founder, member, advocate, mentor and friend. His web site johnharmstrong.com