The Church in Mission

Since I last posted info here six weeks ago, we have been traveling and speaking in churches in Central Florida and middle Tennessee, and made two moves: first from Charlotte, North Carolina to Florianópolis in southern Brazil and then to our new assignment in Fortaleza, northern Brazil. So I have been on the go and just haven’t been able to post.

The day before yesterday we finally had broad band service connected in our new apartment so I am now back on the air.

Here is the latest news in PCUSA World Mission…that program unit now has a new director, Hunter Farrell. Check out the news here and here.

Technorati: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterian mission

In October, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will initiate Mission Challenge ’07, an effort to put PCUSA missionaries in over 120 presbyteries to share with the denomination our witness to Christ around the world. Don’t wait for a phone call or letter concerning this event. Begin to plan and make contacts already to make this an event that promotes and furthers our witness to Christ through the World Mission Program Unit (new name) of our denomination. You can find more information HERE!

Technorati: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbyterian mission

Last August we returned to the U.S. for seven months of visitation in local Presbyterian churches and presbyteries to share our stories on ministry in Brazil and interpret the global witness of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Our first stop was Louisville, Kentucky for a week with Worldwide Ministries Division, now called World Mission Program Unit (WMPU) office staff for general orientation. It was particularly encouraging to hear the stories of the many and diverse other mission co-workers around the world. Once again, it left us grateful to be a part of this larger group.

It was also a time of uncertainty. Worldwide Ministries office and field staff had just been drastically reduced (the latter from 300 in January to 235 in August); I think the largest proportional reduction in my 29 years of service. And more was to follow. A reorganization of the national offices was forthcoming, which furthered the climate of uncertainty. Finally, it was announced that no future assignments to the field would be made beyond June 2008, at least until the budget for beyond 2008 was established in about another year. All that uncertainty, for good or bad, came through when we were interviewed along with Melanie and Scott Smith by Presbyterians Today at the end of the week. The interview was published in October as simply, “Mission Uncertain?” and it provoked considerable reaction.

I do not think that the reporter, Toya Hill, meant to question the mission itself of the church, but rather, the current patterns of support and sending, although that clarification was never made. I’ve thought a lot about this since then, especially as we visit churches and presbyteries in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Florida and California (with trips to mission consultations in between to Germany and Spain!). I want to share some of these thoughts—they are my own and are not necessarily the views of any official body—in the hope that this may clarify what is happening (if for no one else than myself!) and what the prospects are for the mid-range future (short-range 12-18 months planning is already in gear). They are meant to be positive and constructive, and at the same time, as transparent and realistic as possible. Continue Reading »