IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE
TEN-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN (TYSP II)
2014- 2023
VISION
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
Consistent with the IFI’s belief in the purity of life, holiness, altruism and obedience to God’s commandments and the church’s history and mandate of being one in the people’s struggle for liberation, the IFI envisions:
A global community of men and women working together toward the fullness of life and respect for the dignity of all peoples and nations, the promotion of the integrity of all creation, and the pursuit of justice and peace
They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. (Isaiah 65:17 ff.)
A Philippine nation that asserts its sovereignty and patrimony, where justice and peace reign, and the people pursue active witnessing of God
The Lord requires to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
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. (Luke 4:16-19)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b)
A dynamic and living Church united in its historical mission and ministry, deeply rooted in the life and struggles of the poor, deprived and oppressed toiling masses, active in the pursuit of justice and peace, and faithful stewards of God’s creation
MISSION
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. (Romans 12: 1-3)
The Iglesia Filipina Independiente, as a community of faith steeped in the nationalist history of the workers and the Filipino people’s struggle in the Philippines, affirms its historical mission and ministry to empower the poor, deprived and oppressed through liberative education, organizing, and mobilizing the Filipino people to pursue life in its fullness, and to be active witnesses against injustices, and for the propagation of God’s love to all humankind
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. (Matthew 15: 31-40).
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 neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”. (Matthew 22: 37-40)
GOALS
- Education, worship, and ministry for strengthening the membership’s (clergy and laity) knowledge in the IFI history and teachings, both spiritual and phenomenal.
- Social services and witness for responding to the needs of the IFI’s membership (clergy and laity), and of the organisations of marginalized sectors that the Church works with.
- Stewardship and resource development in supporting the work of the Church at all levels.
- Concordat and international ecumenical work for strengthening solidarity relations with other Churches and faith-based institutions
Goal 1: Education, worship and ministry for strengthening the membership’s (clergy and laity) knowledge in IFI history and teachings, both spiritual and phenomenal
Strategies
- Deepening and enhancing the expression of Aglipayan Spirituality through participation in our collective fight against injustices/human rights violations
- Engaging in liturgical renewal towards a more intensive education and propagation of our faith
- Asserting further our own perspective through giving more emphasis in reading the context of the historical events that gave birth to the IFI, its ministry and mission
- Formulating common and official resource materials that are relevant to the propagation of our faith
- Enhancing the understanding of Church membership on the Declaration of Faith and Articles of Religion and propagating it to all members
- Developing well-informed, active and responsive church members through Christian Education that reflects the Aglipayan Spirituality
- Evolving and implementing a comprehensive human resource development program for both the clergy and lay
Goal 2. Social services and witness for responding to the needs of the IFI’s membership (clergy and laity), and of the organisations of marginalized sectors that the Church works with
Strategy
Developing the National Comprehensive Program: Program and institutional strengthening of current development programs being implemented (Rights Defenders, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Relief and Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Intervention TFER/BK, Community Development Program (IDP and ABCD), Livelihood and Cottage Industry, WAP, to name a few), in support of the struggle of the basic sectors
Goal 3. Stewardship and resource development in supporting the work of the Church at all levels
Strategies
- Establishing tithing as the minimum standard form of Christian giving
- Popularizing and implementing the church strategy for stewardship and resource development
- Enhancing education on Centralization of Funds and Resource Management
- Maximizing use of idle but strategically located properties to generate much needed revenues
- Reviewing, systematizing and popularizing Church policies and their guidelines on program implementation
- Providing staff for and developing human resources to support the TYSP II implementation
Goal 4. Concordat and international ecumenical work for strengthening solidarity relations with other Churches and faith-based institutions
Strategies
- Celebrating the Jubilee of Concordat Relations in 2015
- Engaging in continued discussions on the World Council of Churches’ document on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM) with other Christian denominations especially with NCCP member-churches
- Enhancing concordat relations with Concordat Churches
- Pursuing relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
- Exploring South-South Relations with Churches in the South
- Strengthening relationships with national and international ecumenical institutions and faith-based organizations.
