wfn.org | WMD envisions 'mission networks'

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Note #7445 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

28-September-2002
02370

WMD envisions 'mission networks'

Partners would pool resources, information, experience

by Alexa Smith

LOUISVILLE - A plan to create "collegial" networks of churches, presbyteries
and associations to do ministry in other countries was presented to the
Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD) Committee of the General Assembly Council
on Saturday for a "first reading."

The idea is to link presbyteries with established partnerships abroad and
others who wish to do mission in the same region.

"The concept has been approved," said the Rev. Will Browne, the WMD's
associate for ecumenical partnerships. "We heard no opposition."

Brown said the division is trying to create opportunities in mission for
churches and presbyteries, foster mutual support and generate funds for
partner churches at a time when WMD grant money is declining.

The draft of the plan argues that the shift to "mission networks" would be
beneficial because:

* Information, experience and wisdom can be pooled by Presbyterians
undertaking mission;

* Common strategies can be developed;

* Work can be coordinated;

* Mission functions can be tailored to General Assembly-level goals;

* Difficulties can be minimized;

* New participants can be included and invited to expand mission even into
new areas.

Browne said the change is practical because it would allow newcomers to
international mission to learn from people who have "already learned the hard
lessons," and thereby to avoid mistakes.

"Presbyterians listen better to members of other congregations than (to)
General Assembly Council (GAC) staff," he told a subcommittee on Ecumenical
Partnership.

Calling upon people with broad experience will also help WMD's area
coordinators establish goals for relating to partner churches, Brown said:
"The strategy will be formed out of the table, not taken to it. ... Staff and
area coordinators will listen and learn from presbyteries and churches."

How money is disbursed abroad is often a difficult issue, one that can create
chaos in the national church, he said.

Because of recent PC(USA) budget cuts, Browne pointed out, funds for partner
churches are in steep decline. He estimated that 75 percent of grant money
has been lost, because most such funds are from unified giving.

WMD has used much of the money formerly earmarked for partnership grants to
support staff - as in the reinstatements of some administrative assistants
who were laid off because of the budget cuts last April.

Browne said the PC(USA)'s partner churches were consulted in the necessity of
reducing grant money.

"Even if we still had partnership grant money, (working with) these networks
is an important thing to do" to create trust, he told the Presbyterian News
Service. "With that trust comes a willingness to engage. We can have a common
strategy because there is that trust."

A newly created office for Ecumenical and Mission Partnerships, coordinated
by Les Sauer, will bear much of the responsibility for facilitating the new
"mission networks" and helping presbyteries that want to establish formal
partnerships abroad.

"We see the networks more as self-guiding, self-directing entities, not
regulatory bodies," Sauer said. "Our team will work with the six remaining
area offices, organize networks and develop new partnerships as there is
interest in them."

The Rev. Jo Ella Holman will work with partnerships in Latin America and the
Caribbean; the Rev. Kathy Reeves will work with those in Africa, Asia, the
Middle East and Europe.

David Hackett, director of the Frontier Fellowship, one of WMD's validated
mission partners, said he thinks the mission-networks idea is a good one.
"WMD will be tapping into a lot of energy in churches who are working out
their vision for mission," he said.

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