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Let’s begin with a brief disclaimer. I don’t particularly
like the word “post-modern.” It is one of those catch
phrases that can mean anything from “trendy” or “hip”
to “post-Christian” or new cognitive frameworks and
patterns for processing information. For our purposes, we simply
need to understand that we live in a changing world; one where
information, technology, and population shifts do not match
the assumed patterns of the past generations. For example, some
of the seventh-graders in class with my son are Muslim, Buddhist,
and Jewish; he has neighbors down the street who are from Somalia,
and he gets e-mails and instant messages from around the world.
We can place orders across the globe with a click of our computer
mouse. Choices for mission support are endless. This is not
the mission context of yesteryear. So how do we as faithful
Presbyterians carry out mission in God’s world today? What
have we learned from our many years of experience? How are we
informed by current partnerships with Christian brothers and
sisters around the globe?
Worldwide mission is across the globe and
down the street. The lines of “foreign” and
“local” mission are blurred. There are more refugees
displaced today than at any other point in the world’s
history. Global mission may include an English as a second language
class in your church’s education building. It may involve
sponsoring an individual or family through Church World Service’s
refugee resettlement program. It may be hosting an international
student over the holidays through Christmas House International.
It may also be serving coffee purchased through our Presbyterian
Equal Exchange program.
Responsible mission must be done in partnership.
God has raised up Christian leaders on every populated continent
of the world. In fact, the majority of Christians on this planet
now reside in the southern hemisphere. Our mission endeavors
need to be carried out with mutual accountability.
Mission requires thoughtful discernment.
What pastor does not receive several e-mails and letters each
year requesting funds for the support of this mission project
or that hunger relief program? How are we to make informed and
faithful decisions?
Mission now includes hands-on experiences
for more and more members. Numerous churches and presbyteries
are learning the value of firsthand mission experiences. This
increases the passion for mission. At the same time, it opens
the door for a myriad of complications and pitfalls. More and
more we are forced to evaluate what creates sustainable ministry
and not simply what makes us feel good about helping those in
need.
As Presbyterians, we are already actively
doing mission around the globe through our connectional support.
By the mere fact that we are Presbyterians in a connectional
church, we are engaged in feeding the hungry, healing the sick,
and sharing the good news around the world. The Mission Yearbook
for Prayer & Study lists the hundreds of missionaries,
mission volunteers, and ecumenical mission partners who carry
out the work of Jesus Christ on your behalf. See for yourself
what YOU are doing around the world!
There’s help for those who are seeking
new ways of carrying out mission! Congregational Ministries
Division, in cooperation with Worldwide Ministries Division,
has created a study guide to help individuals and mission committees
make informed decisions regarding their mission outreach. Gathering
for God’s Future (Item #7490003001)
and coming soon, the accompanying A Study Guide for Gathering
for God’s Future (Item #7490004001) provide guidelines
for shaping your congregation’s outreach strategies. While
the resources focus particularly on international mission, the
concepts and information can be useful in evaluating local and
national mission endeavors as well.
A sample of one portion of the study
guide is provided here.
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