Planning your world mission agenda
Monday 6th April 2009
In many congregations, planning is already taking place for next year. Nigel Eves asks whether encouraging interest and involvement in Overseas Mission is on the planning agenda and suggests ways in which it can become an integral part of a congregation’s life and witness.
Spring or early summer is when most congregations begin to make plans for another year of activity, starting in September.
Setting clear objectives and realistic strategies can help congregational leaders be more effective in encouraging and helping their members to grow in faith, and to respond to the challenges of mission in the communities in which they live and work, and beyond. Prayerful consideration of what is being planned is also important.
Naturally, your first instinct is to focus on your own congregation and to give priority to the perceived needs in your local situation. But what about mission in other areas of this island and further afield? Does your planning agenda include a focus on these too?
Commitment to world mission must be an integral part of congregational life and witness, if we are to be faithful to our Lord’s command to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” So how can you include a focus on world mission in your plans for the year ahead?
Information stimulates interest; interest is fed by information. Which comes first is debatable. Either way, your starting point must be to provide regular information on mission overseas. The minister can’t do it all so setting up a mission committee or having one or two members to ‘champion’ overseas mission will help to make it happen.
Initially, it helps to have a narrow focus; on one country, one type of mission work, or one person. A little information given regularly is more likely to be remembered than a lot of information given occasionally.
Prayerhelps to focus the mind, so it helps to pray from the start, even if you don’t feel you know much about the situation. Remember God does! Many congregations find it useful to have a short ‘overseas’ prayer focus on Sunday mornings, either every week or once a month. Points for Prayer and Prayerline are useful aids. In this way, facts about mission overseas and its needs can be shared regularly, raising both awareness and interest. Through prayer individuals get involved and this increases their sense of commitment.
Preaching on our responsibilities for world mission is important. Meeting missionaries and listening to their experiences is also important. Plan to have a missionary speak in your church at least once a year, not just at the Sunday morning service or PW meeting, but also at the Bible Class, Sunday School, Youth Fellowship or mid-week fellowship. Remember to encourage attendance at one of the 'Celebration of Global Mission' evenings, when they next come around.
Inviting an overseas student to speak to your congregation will be a stimulating and challenging experience and this can lead to a partnership overseas as some PCI congregations have discovered. As a result individuals and whole congregations become involved in the mission of Christ.
Financial support for overseas mission is vital. The work of our Board of Mission Overseas is largely supported through the United Appeal. Aim to meet your UA target, if you don’t already do so. If possible, go the ‘extra mile’ and give to a specific project overseas.
The consequences of having a world-view of mission are many. People’s perspectives, attitudes, priorities, and motives change significantly. Some may offer themselves for short-term service overseas. Encourage them to go. Make sure you hear what they are saying when they come home. It may also mean letting go of some of your best people as they respond to God’s call to serve overseas long-term. One thing is certain, your members and the life and witness of your congregation will be more deeply enriched the more you get involved in world mission.
So what about your plans for next year?
Search Articles and Features:
