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Global Mission Office

I'm not sure about you, but I sometimes find it quite difficult to hold the immense struggles of the world - war, poverty, AIDS, child mortality and labour - to name but a few - in a creative tension with what we are trying to do on the local level. One thought that always helps is the fact that the work of the Global Mission Office is local work, it is just that it happens elsewhere and usually begins on the local level right here in New Zealand. So forgive me if I seem a little single minded this month, but I really want to encourage you and representatives from your parish to attend GlobalTrek 2003. I have been highlighting this event since the October edition of Bush Telegraph so you may be surprised that it hasn't happened yet. GlobalTrek 2003 is all about motivating local kiwi Presbyterians to take the context in which other people live seriously and to develop a Gospel shaped, missiologically sound response to the challenges faced by so many. It is all about local-to-local ministry.

The first gathering is in the south at the magnificent Living Springs Conference Centre, Christchurch from 9-11 May 2002 and the cost including 5 meals but excluding bedding is $110.00. The second in the north, is at the stunning Vaughan Park Retreat Centre, Auckland from the 16-18 May 2002 and the cost is $150.00 including 5 meals as well as bedding. For students the cost to attend either venue is subsidized in order to make it $80.00 including meals and excluding bedding.

Parishes will be receiving a letter and brochures by post in the next short while or people can register for Global Trek online. The letter will urge Parishes to not to just 'put the brochures out on the back table' but to hand pick the best person/s to represent them at the event and to put it in their hands. More than that, we are asking Parishes and Presbyteries to consider sponsorship for delegates. Wellington Presbytery's Regional Youth Committee is leading the way in this regard by having offered partial sponsorship for young people who attend from the Wellington Presbytery. A number of Parishes have indicated that they will be helping delegates as well.

But what is all about?

I am not a StarTrek fan but I like their slogan hence:
GlobalTrek - going where no (kiwi) Presbyterian has gone before

The 2000 Assembly accepted the recommendation that Global Mission Fora must be held to provide a place for Parishes to become informed and enthused. This decision formed an important part of the strategic plan for the establishment of the Global Mission Office and a new era of Global Mission in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. In essence it is all part of a deep desire to ensure the continuation of the passion for overseas mission that has so shaped our past as kiwi Presbyterians. However we want to take cognisance of the fact that we are living in a very different world today with new complexities confronting us. As a result there are fresh understandings of what it means to be a 'missionary church' as well as a realization and admission that we as a Church can and need to do more.

So what will we hope to achieve?

In short we want to put missiology and mission back on the map as a priority for our Church. The current resurgence of missiological thought and terminology in popular use (even in the business sector) is welcomed by many as a sign of a return to understanding the work of the Church in a mission minded way and as a means of bringing new life to many aspects to the work of the Church. Indeed we are called to be involved in Missio Dei - the mission of God.

Thus the first primary objective of GlobalTrek is to provide a place where kiwi Presbyterians can engage with the current trends in missiological thinking which is the basis of any genuine call to mission.

The second primary objective is to discuss what we can do. Global mission is in fact local-to-local mission and we need to increase our understanding of the concept of 'partnership' as a model for mission in today's world. Part of the process will be to develop a model for Global Mission that will provide a framework for the involvement of Parishes and individuals in Global Mission during the next decade. The role of the Global Mission Office is largely one of facilitation as the energy from the local level is channeled as appropriate. This will include understanding the role of Christian World Service as our 'official' Aid and Development Agency and the role they play in a valid Christian response to the many huge challenges facing our world.

The third primary objective is to motivate people on a regional and Parish level to become involved. This could mean anything from hosting 'think tanks' to people serving overseas. In short our hope is that delegates will leave inspired and determined to get involved in Global Mission.

Programme Plan:

The hope is that a group of 50 adults and 20 students (or those who associate themselves with the latter age group) will gather at each venue. The programme will run corporately and separately as required to ensure that the vital and unique role that young people have in the future of global mission is provided for by the programme. There will be relevant worship, good food, wonderful fellowship and gut-wrenching challenge. Child care will be provided for primary school aged children if required.

Profile of our International Guest:

A full list of the speakers and a programme outline will accompany the brochures that will be sent to all Parishes. However our international guest is Rev Dr Schalk Pienaar from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Schalk is the Senior Minister of the Northfield Methodist Church in Benoni Johannesburg which employs around 20 staff members and has a worshipping congregation of about 1500. This congregation has a significant ministry through a vast array of programmes serving rich and poor alike particularly in the areas of leadership development and ministry to people with AIDS.

Snippets in brief

 

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The Asia Sunday 2003 booklet is now available. By popular request, it is in downloadable format at www.cca.org.hk. The CCA are interested to hear how you use the resource and news of you celebrations.

A bouquet to Noel and Rosemary Butler of Dunedin South who are willingly hosting Mallison Katali, the son of a minister for the United Church of the Solomon Islands who is studying at Otago in exchange for help with their very creative youth programme.

Kathryn McDaniel seems to be improving despite the obvious struggles associated with her treatment.

We were able to give Pastor Dickson Bani from the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu a part scholarship of NZ$5000 to start his theological studies at Pacific Theological College.

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And to add to the list in Candour
Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it is possible.