September 10, 2007

Friends,

Presbyterians do mission in partnership

This subheading is also the title of an important policy statement the PC(USA) adopted by the General Assembly in 2003. I had the privilege of writing a book—Called as Partners in Christ’s Service: the Practice of God’s Mission (Geneva: 2004)—about the biblical roots and practices of mission in partnership. Working in partnership with the Body of Christ around the world is a commitment at the core of PC(USA)’s world mission. We have “horizontal partnerships” with 167 churches in 80 countries; 118 presbyteries and synods have international partnerships; there are 26 mission networks, which link Presbyterians with common interests. Six area coordinators and 24 regional liaisons have invaluable knowledge of a region’s churches, cultures, and languages.

The Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB)

One of our largest church partners in Latin America is the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB). This denomination was born in 1903 as a result of a split in the Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPB) over Free Masonry, the need for autonomy in Brazilian theological education, and a “Plan of National Missions” that relied more on Brazilian resources. In 1984, after the IPB unilaterally ended the cooperative agreement with the PC(USA), the IPIB kindly received our mission workers to cooperate with them. This step toward a partnership of “interdependence” with a church that was founded precisely to be “independent” of missionary influence was a sign of maturity and change in both denominations. Today the IPIB has approximately 100,000 members in 500 congregations with 832 ordained pastors (men and women) and 60 missionaries (national and international from Mozambique to the United States). They have very active ministries in evangelism and social services.

Multiplication of partnerships

Back row left to right: Valdice Naves, Pedro Henrique, Aury Reinaldet, and IPIB Stated Clerk Gerson Lacerda. Front row, left to right: Maria Arroyo, IPIB Vice President Eleni Rangel, IPIB President Assir Pereira, Sherron George.

Recently, the IPIB’s president, Assir Pereira, said, “Our partnership with the PC(USA) has served as a model for developing more international partnerships.” He talked about the conversations the IPIB is having with the Reformed Churches in Argentina (IRA), which are leading to a partnership agreement. In fact, the IPIB has entered into formal partnerships with PC(USA) partners in Korea, Taiwan, and Argentina. And they’re engaged in conversations with another partner, the Independent Presbyterian Church in Bolivia.

Three-way mission

Another exciting development in the partnership between the IPIB and the PC(USA) is how we’ve collaborated in sending mission workers to third countries. Thanks to our joint work, IPIB missionaries have gone to Portugal, Chile, Bolivia, and Venezuela. And the IPIB is now in talks with Argentine churches about the possibility of sending missionaries to Argentina.

While we were attending a synod meeting of the Waldensians in Argentina, Rev. Assir and I visited a small rural community that many people have left in search of jobs. The church runs a soup kitchen, though their building is practically in ruins. Rev. Assir explained to us the complexities of sending a pastor-evangelist there. What a joy it was to see the mission vision of our partner church. This is an example of how the church of the global South is becoming a strong mission force, a phenomenon that Philip Jenkins describes in his book The Next Christendom: the Coming of Global Christianity. This also demonstrates how the PC(USA) is learning to listen to, follow, and support our partners.

Mission Celebration and Challenge ‘07

Two big events are about to unfold in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). A Celebration of Grace is a conference for Presbyterians passionate about mission, which will take place October 2-6 in Louisville. I have the honor of giving a missiological presentation. Almost all of our mission networks will be meeting there, and we will be organizing a new Brazil mission network to help connect all congregations and presbyteries who have partner relationships in Brazil. The Rev. Jonas Furtado, coordinator of missionaries for the IPIB, will be a part of the network meeting.

Mission Challenge ’07 takes place throughout October, when 47 PC(USA) missionaries will spend a week sharing the stories of their ministry in 143 presbyteries. Another part of Mission Challenge ’07 is an appeal to every church in the denomination to support Presbyterian missionaries like me. Let me thank those of you who already support me and invite all of you to give this letter to your Mission Committee and challenge them to consider supporting me.

Pray with me that Mission Celebration and Mission Challenge ’07 will be a watershed moment in the life of the PC(USA), a time of renewal and unity as we commit to participate in God’s mission.

Your partner,

The 2007 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 38