wfn.org | Synod gives boost to 'Global Mission Church' initiative

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Synod gives boost to 'Global Mission Church' initiative

> Written by Rebecca Bowman Woods
> June 30, 2009

The 27th General Synod underscored the importance of Global
Ministries' "Be a Global Mission Church" initiative Tuesday morning,
voting to adopt a resolution asking all settings of the UCC to pursue
the Global Mission Church designation.

The Global Mission Church initiative connects local congregations and
other settings of the church to overseas mission. Global Ministries
asks those entities that adopt the Global Mission designation to enter
into a specific process to become a Global Mission Church. Churches
adopting the designation are asked to embrace certain practices:
praying for partners and missionaries, educating members about
overseas mission, seeking justice for the international community,
receiving the gifts of the global church, and financially supporting
global mission.

The resolution, "A Call to Be Global Mission Churches in the United
Church of Christ," was submitted by Wider Church Ministries. Global
Ministries is the combined overseas witness of Wider Church Ministries
and the Division of Overseas Ministries within the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). The Disciples' General Assembly will consider a
similar resolution when it meets July 29-Aug. 2.

According to the resolution, implementation will be shared by local
churches, Associations and Conferences; the Office of General
Ministries; Wider Church Ministries; Justice and Witness Ministries;
and Local Church Ministries.

More information on Global Ministries' Be a Global Mission Church
initiative is available at
http://globalministries.org/about-us/be-a-global-mission-church.html.