Community Edition
Missionary presence
No man is an island... John Donne
Our theme for this issue of yes is community and mission. The Church Mission Society has been formally acknowledged as a mission community by the Advisory Council on the of the Church of England. What does this mean in practice? Samuel Escobar, one of the most influential majority world mission voices of our times has written, “Before searching for methods and tools for communication of a verbal message we must search for a new style of missionary presence relevant to this moment of human history.” Throughout the history of the church, various forms of community have played a
CONTENTS
Relations of Bishops and Religious Communities
vital role. Community was part of the experience of the church in Jerusalem in the early decades. We can speak of the desert fathers and mothers. Then there is the mostly forgotten story of the Persian church, whose missionary enterprise was far more substantial and far-reaching than our Western missionary movement of the past three centuries.
04/06 From our correspondents
Communities seem to come into their own when conditions are hostile and have
07 Being missional in turbulent times by Tom Sine
sustained the presence of the church in places where life has been tough and external forces antagonistic to the gospel. It seems to me – and trends in the West bear this out – that community as a vehicle for the maintenance and
10 The best surprise is no surprise by Joseph Steinberg
expansion of the church will become more and more important as Christianity is marginalized by cultural forces in Britain and Europe. What is certain is the parochial
12 CMS and SMCs by Ian Adams
model of Christian presence no longer works in many of our inner city areas and rural contexts.
13 A year of living 2/44 by Emma Woo
Not everyone is called to residential community living, but there are many ways community can be lived out for the expansion of the gospel and renewal of the
15 Firm foundations: Houses of mission by Chris Neal
John Martin
Editor john.martin@cms-uk.org yes Advent edition. Published by CMS.
CMS is a community of mission service: inspiring a
General Secretary: Canon Tim Dakin
mission lifestyle; equipping people in mission; sharing
Editor: John Martin
resources for mission work.
Designer: Seth Crewe Printers: CPO
Views expressed in yes are not necessarily those of CMS.
Printed on a sustainable paper that is elementary chlorine
Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford, OX4 6BZ
free and can be traced to bona fide sources.
Registered Charity Number 220297
Community Edition
church. This edition of yes looks at just a few.
16 COMMUNITY: Good questions by Tim Dakin and Chris Neal 18 Crowther Centre news 19 Notebook by John Martin
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..from our correspondents... Allan and Anne Lacey write from Uganda
Unexpected blessings It was Sunday morning and Allan had been invited to preach at a small rural church near the Congo border. We set off at about 8am and picked up the archdeacon on the way, as we had little idea where the church was, and neither maps nor signposts are common sights here. On arrival, however, we found a traditional palm branch of welcome at the church entrance. We were seated in a small pyott – a circular, open-sided building near the church. There was no sign of activity in the small, roughly constructed church, but after a half hour or so, we were joined by various church leaders and presented with breakfast: Tea, peanuts, boiled eggs, and sweet potatoes, which were to sustain us for the rigours of the two or three-hour service ahead. During the meal we began to hear singing from the church, and then the insistent beating of a drum – the equivalent of church bells. Maybe an hour after the advertised time, the service began. We were delighted to find young people playing traditional udungus (stringed instruments in a variety of sizes) to accompany the music, and a choir of children singing and clapping enthusiastically. The building gradually filled up as the service progressed, and it soon became evident that some infant and child baptisms were to take place as well. After the vows had been made by an assortment of parents and godparents (the archdeacon commented on the absence of some of the fathers) Allan was asked, with no notice, to baptise a seven year old lad dressed in a dapper suit. The only service book available being the Lugbara equivalent of 1662, he was a bit nonplussed – but managed to summon to mind the English words of baptism and signing with the cross. The whole service proceeded with considerable enthusiasm and energy, if a little chaotic at times, and Allan’s sermon was ably interpreted by the archdeacon. At one point, during
John Padwick writes from Kenya
a particularly boisterous Lugbara song, spontaneous dancing broke out at the front of the church, and we joined the jumping worshippers.
Reconciliation reflections A month ago we held one of our continuing national reconciliation meetings for leaders of African Independent Churches (AICs). It wasn’t just men who were present, but women and young people as well. After a prophetic address by the General Secretary, and reports from the grassroots on the progress – or lack of it – in reconciliation, a journalist gave a summary of political events over the past 12 months. We went for lunch deeply depressed. Afterwards we asked the leaders to reflect on what they had heard. Most of them are not very highly educated, so they did not propose legal or constitutional reforms. (That’s left for
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To find out more and keep in touch with all our mission partners, log on to www.cms-uk.org/linkletters for the latest reports the National Council of Churches of Kenya). Instead they returned to what they know best – reflecting on the state of the community in urban and rural villages. Eventually the talk turned to the problems of young people. Whether we had nudged the discussion in this direction, or whether it was simply the leading of the Holy Spirit is difficult to say. But now participants began to speak from their hearts. Millions of male youth are unemployed and frustrated. This leaves them vulnerable to politicians
The soul that is alone…is like the burning coal that is alone. It will grow colder rather than hotter. St John of the Cross
with money. Over the past 10-15 years, during the election periods they have been recruited into political gangs. This being Kenya, and politics being essentially a struggle for ethnic supremacy, the gangs are also tools of tribalism. The violence of December 2007–February 2008 was carried out by these gangs. A few of them have graduated into permanent militia. The most prominent of these are the SLDF on Mt Elgon, and the Mungiki of Central Kenya. It is the Mungiki who are currently the main cause of concern. Central Kenya has a history of guerrilla warfare (the Mau Mau) going back to colonial days. Like many such wars, Mau Mau was against both an external oppressor (the British) and against those who allied themselves with the foreign rulers, as well as those who refused to take the Mau Mau oath (e.g., the homeguards and some of the members of the mission churches). Mungiki dates back only about 20 years, but it looks back to Mau Mau for some of its methods and ideology. In the urban shantytowns, Mungiki and other militia are an unofficial layer of government, providing security, collecting waste, and providing (illegal) connections to water and electricity. But Mungiki also terrorize populations that refuse to pay their (illegal) taxes, usually cutting off people’s heads. Like the Mau Mau they are bound by an oath that sets them free from the warnings of their conscience and their ancestors. In consequence the security forces find them extremely difficult to control. In fact Mungiki have members in the police and in some churches. Most Mungiki members are young people, some only 16 years old, who have been attracted to the movement because they get a sense of purpose, affirmation and income that is otherwise denied them. Our church leaders spoke of these youth as people for whom they had a deep concern. A few leaders explained how they struggle spiritually and pastorally to rescue youth from the militia. This should be a critical issue for the churches, but whatever is being done isn’t much discussed. (Quite naturally, people fear.) The conclusion of our meeting was that we should hold another smaller and more confidential meeting just to hear people’s stories – from both sides, if possible. Then we can decide how we to support those who are working with gang members or with youth who are vulnerable to recruitment.
Pakistan: Fighting the powerful “In Jesus Christ there is freedom, and that’s for ever. We can’t go back to the old way, even if they kill us.” These are the words of a young man who had recently been baptised, having 5 yes Community Edition 2009
To find out more and keep in touch with all our mission partners, log on to www.cms-uk.org/linkletters for the latest reports come from a non-Christian background. They express how much of society is bound by compulsion, fear and oppression of the weak by the powerful. We’ll call him Peter. His words were very soon put to the test. A young woman from the same background had also recently been baptised. We’ll call her Alice. Alice’s father was a kind man who loved his three daughters, but was very poor and without any power in society. He was effectively dependent on his bully of an elder brother, who gave him work from time to time so that he could feed his family. He did, however, own a little scrap of land. He did not know that one of his daughters had been baptised, and it wouldn’t have done his health much good if he had found out. Soon after Alice had been baptised, her father’s brother declared that he wanted his three sons to marry Alice and her sisters. (Marriages between cousins are, as you probably know, very common here.) Her father’s scrap of land would pass to his brother, but the family’s economic future would be secure. Alice and her sisters begged their father not to force them to marry these objectionable young men. At first he agreed, but then the pressure which came on him was so intense that he eventually told them they would have to go through with the marriage. To Alice and her sisters, such a living death was not an option. They could see only two possibilities: flight or suicide. And if they were to flee, then without doubt they would quickly be recaptured. At the moment of extreme tension, Peter had an idea. Drawing on every ounce of courage he could find, he went in trepidation to Alice’s father and asked that Alice might marry him instead. And for good measure, and in line with the culture, he asked for her two sisters to marry his two brothers. Peter was a very hard worker, but he hadn’t any wealth or prospects or social power. All he had was the joy and delight of Alice and her sisters at the prospect of rescue and marriage to loving husbands. The struggle was intense, but in the end Alice’s father accepted Peter’s offer. From somewhere Alice’s father found the strength to stand up against his bullying brother and tell him that his daughters were promised to someone else. There is a high price for the father’s love; immediately he was disowned by his brother and can expect nothing but hatred from him for the rest of his life. It is to be expected that the brother’s family will seek revenge for this insult.
There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community. M Scott Peck
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Being missional in turbulent times
Yes magazine talks to Tom Sine, author of The New Conspirators, about how facing up to the challenges of discipleship amid the ravages of recession can lead to a festive future Tom Sine with his wife Christine
“There is a serious possibility of global inflation. The stimulus packages in Europe and the US – not so much Australia – mean a number of economies are vulnerable to a serious inflationary spiral. Oil will probably hit between $200–300 a barrel by 2020. Another trend happening even before recession hit was serious inflation in the price of grain. The Millenium Goals are in real trouble now. Make Poverty History is at risk because of the price of oil, food, or the aftermath of trying to turn round the economy. So
Few people deny these are turbulent times. Most agree all the portents signal even more change at an even faster rate. Yet for some reason, when changes hit, Christians on the whole seem to be taken by surprise. Few churches seem to be geared to help their congregations and neighbourhoods with the aftermath of change. Even fewer seem ready to turn these challenges into missional opportunity. Long-time friend of CMS, Tom Sine is author of the bestseller The New Conspirators (2007) and part of the Seattle-based Mustard Seed community. He has been on the road with a message that Christian attitudes to
the poor are going to be hit the hardest.” Other worrying problems loom. Water availability will become an issue that may even lead to wars. There is the H1N1 challenge but it may not be the last. Another future scenario could be an avian flu epidemic. Sine wants to see churches building networks like Flu Friends (an idea promoted by the Evangelical Alliance) where local church networks visit, collect medication, provide food help and child care. Then there is the demise of denominational Christianity – in Britain church attendance is down to as low as eight per cent and with the boomer generation nearing
lifestyle and living the life of faith need to change.
retirement there are questions about how church life
“Essentially what we’re about is not only challenging
and charities will be funded in the future.
churches and individuals to become more missional
Green shoots
but to shift that missional concern into the future
Nevertheless, in the midst of current mayhem and
tense. We need to anticipate some of the new waves
panic about the future, Sine believes God is doing
like the business people do, then we have lead time
something new. There are green shoots that are
to do something before they blow up on our doorstep.
the work of a generation of innovators, risk takers
Apocalypse now?
and entrepreneurs. So where did all this begin?
“Since that huge economic tsunami broke on
“The ‘emergent’ movement didn’t begin with Brian
countries all over the planet we have all become
McLaren [in the USA]. It began in the UK in the late
painfully aware of people in our congregations and
80s. In my New Conspirators book I make a case
communities who are still struggling with lost jobs,
that many of the young leaders emerged after the
homes and diminished resources,” he observes. “A
house church movement began to run out of gas –
few churches have created new ways to be God’s
people like Jonny and Jenny Baker, Phil and Wendy
compassion to their neighbours. Regrettably, most
Walls and Gerard Kelly.
churches we have contacted still haven’t awakened
“They started creating new expressions. What
to this opportunity to create new ways to be God’s
characterised these emerging churches was they
compassion to those who are still struggling.”
tried to contextualise – connect with, say, an artists’
Even so there seems to be a new mood. “I find a
community in Liverpool by starting a cafe. Many of
growing number of church leaders don’t want to be
them were much more outwardly focused. Phil and
blind-sided by this kind of devastating change again.
Wendy Wall write about a Salvation Army church
These leaders want to learn to lead with foresight.
plant which not only had a significant impact on
They are searching for practical resources to enable
working class estates but also started Hope HIV
them to both more effectively anticipate and more
which is still going. From there it began in Australia
creatively respond to other new challenges.”
and New Zealand in the early 90s and last of all it
Looking to the future, those potential challenges
came to the USA.”
are no less daunting than today’s economic crisis.
It runs deeper than mere activism. “One of the 7 yes Community Edition 2009
There are two things we cannot do alone. One is to be married and the other is to be a Christian. Paul Tournier
“I find a growing number of church leaders don’t want to be blind-sided by this kind of devastating change again. These leaders want to learn to lead with foresight”
8 yes Community Edition 2009
characteristics of this new movement was that many
to compose their own mission statement. Mustard
of the young leaders really raised the bar about how
Seed is on the same track. “We encourage families
to be disciples and how to be church. One of the
to work together to produce a calling statement.” It
words I’ve learned from them is ‘authentic’. They
sounds very like what CMS has in mind.
really want to see more authentic whole-life faith and
Then, he says, creatively in small groups begin to
they want to see churches, whether traditional or
re-imagine and free up time for daily scripture and
experimental, more outwardly focused and focused
prayer, free up time for relationships but also a
on mission.” It’s had an influence on Anglican
couple of hours a week for witness and service as
churches through Fresh Expressions, a network now
the opportunity presents itself.
led by Graham Cray, the Bishop of Maidstone. CMS
“I think this is a very teachable moment as we come
has been part of this from its earliest days.
out of recession. In the US we have adult Sunday
“One of the things I always find striking when I come
school classes. These are not present in UK churches
to the UK is how churches in Britain are much more
but some have strong cell group networks. I think
outwardly focused and interested in mission than here
there need to be places to help people re-evaluate
in the states. When I work with churches in the USA,
how they steward time and money.”
whether they’re evangelical or liberal, most of them
He has hosts of stories and suggestions for putting
do not have a single ministry that they sponsor into
this into practice.
their communities or neighbourhoods. But it would be
“Here in Britain we found one family had written a
unusual, in Britain, with churches I am working with,
calling statement about being the hospitality of Christ
to find they are not sponsoring four to five ministries.
in their neighbourhood. So they regularly ask a different
So there must be something in the water. I don’t know
child in their family to invite a different neighbouring
what it is.
family in for a meal. And after a few months they’ve
“We’ve seen in Australia that the Uniting Church
seen the neighbourhood change through the gift of
has something of this on a smaller scale. And
hospitality. The kids have started to change and focus
in the last two years or so, in the United States,
outwardly on the needs of others, instead of on getting
virtually every major denomination is trying to help
the latest, the neatest, the coolest.”
local congregations give birth to more missional
People tell of offering one lunchtime a week to do
expressions in churches.”
something for people who are clearly in trouble. A
Sine tells the story of a Baptist church in Bangor,
woman in Seattle freed up Wednesday nights to
Maine. “It’s a downtown church. They realised they
work with seniors who were bed-ridden, to help
didn’t know their neighbours. So they did a bonfire
them with their chores so they wouldn’t lose their
picnic on their grounds and they invited everybody.
homes. She took her pre-school children with her.
The starting point for really engaging with the
“They didn’t watch Mom work – they were right
community was establishing a community garden on
down scrubbing the floor alongside her.”
the land. That kind of thing is beginning to catch on.
Back in the UK, a Vineyard church in Southampton
“In the UK before the recession hit the Evangelical
challenged members to live at the level of welfare
Alliance was doing similarly with One Square Mile
recipients for a period of time and then give the
projects. Churches were encouraged to create
money to the Jubilee 2009 Fund. This small
mission initiatives within one square mile of where
congregation were able to free up £24,000. There
they were located.”
are many examples of churches offering debt
Sine talks about the work of Andrew and Debbie
counselling and job search support.
Jones, who have close links with CMS. “Tall Skinny
Making mission a lifestyle
Kiwi (that’s Andrew’s blog persona) has done a
Even so there is still a huge lifestyle challenge
remarkable job of creating some small economic
too many Christians seem oblivious to. “On the
enterprises in the Orkneys. I think we are going to
evangelical and charismatic side many still have
need more ventures in the future that are oriented to
discipleship wrong. In the US a lot of middle class
working with resources in the community rather than
people, including a lot of committed Christians, have
relying on charity funds.”
been bingeing on borrowed money which of course
It’s all about your call
is not sustainable. One wonders where the teaching
So, where to make a start helping people raise the
of the church was to help these good people really
bar in discipleship to become more missional?
question to what extent they have to have the mega
“The first small step is to help people discern their
mansion houses, vehicles and expensive holidays.
calling.” CMS will encourage its community members
“I think part of the problem here in Britain, Down
Under and in the States is the teaching on tithe
can’t pay loans. Frankly they weren’t responsive.”
stewardship. It would be wonderful if everyone gave
However, far from doom and gloom, Sine is full of
a tithe, which of course very few do these days. The
hope for the times ahead. “Looking to the future I
problem I see is frankly that as soon as people give
think the very good news is that we can create a new
10 per cent or some portion thereof, then they are
way of life that is less stressed, that is more festive,
kind of off the hook. They tend to think what they do
more celebrative. We have got to reduce our footprint
with the rest of their time and their money is pretty
in terms of our use of energy and money. The only
much up to them, their taste, preferences, class,
way we can do that is re-examining the single-family
where they like to party, where they like to holiday. I
detached or semi-detached model – people treat it
think that’s a serious mistake.”
like it came with the Ark of the Covenant.
A festive future
“It’s the most land-intensive, energy-intensive way to
What else is needed to get the churches really facing
live and for people under 40 it’s becoming such an
up to the future? “Our Christian communities in
expensive model. If people can significantly reduce their
Britain, Australia, New Zealand and North America
living costs and increase their community, then there’s a
tend to do their long range and strategic planning as
much better chance they’re going to be missional.”
though they were frozen in a time warp. Business
Most of all we need to hear God speaking to us
people always do contextual and environmental
through the needs of others. As Mother Teresa said
forecasting before they plan.
‘Jesus Christ is thinly disguised in the poor and the
“In The New Conspirators in 2007 I said there was a
suffering of the world.’”
real possibility of a major global recession and it would
Explore Tom’s Mustard Seed world on the Web:
behove Christian organisations and leaders to develop
Mustard Seed Associates: www.msainfo.org
some contingency plans now. I urged them to develop
Mustard Seed House (where Tom lives):
contingencies in case they can’t pay the bills, lose jobs,
mustardseedhouse.wordpress.com
“I think the very good news is that we can create a new way of life that is less stressed, that is more festive, more celebrative”
9 yes Community Edition 2009
The best surprise is no surprise Joseph Steinberg on why he joined CMS (finally)
“I know there is some trepidation about CMS as a new mission community post the CMSSouth American Mission Society integration”
10 yes Community Edition 2009
When I was growing up in the mid 1970s there
passionately about our work and our people and
was an advert on the telly by a popular hotel chain
our impact. I sought to help find ways to resource
named Holiday Inn whose slogan stated, “The best
the prayers of our members and supporters, for
surprise is no surprise.” This was to let its customers
instance by helping to create Misson Update and
know that no matter which Holiday Inn you stayed
Prayerlines. I wanted to find new and fresh ways to
at, no matter where it was located on the map,
get our mission stories out so that people would
you could be sure you would get the same quality
be encouraged in their faith and their own personal
accommodation that you had come to expect.
witness for Jesus. And I also worked hard with others
I know there is some trepidation about CMS as a new mission community post the CMS-South
to make sure people knew that the support they gave was making a difference.
American Mission Society integration. Everyone
But still, I wouldn’t join the Society. Until one day I
struggles with change and when we think about
realised…
community we often think of men with shaved
Why not?
patches on their heads wearing camel-hair habits, devoted to suffering in order to help make a better world.
When I re-read the five promises of the society (here condensed): to commend the Gospel, keep myself informed of mission, pray for mission, use the
When I first joined CMS nearly five years ago and
resources God gave me responsibly and encourage
was asked to join the Society, I had to ask myself the
others to do the same – wasn’t that what I was doing
same question you may be asking now: “Why?”
already? What was there to disagree with? So I joined.
Why did I need to join CMS? I already gave to
In CMS, we directors meet every week for prayer
mission, prayed for mission, stayed informed
and fellowship and to encourage each other as we
about mission and had a passion for mission. What
seek to live for Jesus. I have always appreciated that
difference would it make for me or for CMS if I
time we spend together as we share our personal
joined?
lives and stories, and encourage each other to keep
So for the first four years I resisted membership
seeking to make a difference in all we do.
in the Society. I worked hard in my job to ensure
As followers of Jesus with a special passion for
as best as I could that CMS was not only making
mission we all need that kind of accountability. A
a difference in the world, but telling others about
time to reflect, a person to pray with about the
it so they could be inspired to action, too. I cared
personal challenges I face, with someone I know has
a similar passion. That is the kind of community I am thankfully part of now in CMS. And one I want to be a part of in the future. Thankfully, that is the kind of community we are becoming. One that not only seeks to live out the same values that helped form us 210 years ago, but also acknowledges the need to do it together, to help each other, to be accountable to one another and to
The seven promises. The mission spirituality of the CMS Community.
seek to regularly review how we are doing, and then ask how we can do it better. When the CMS Community re-launches at Pentecost next May I can safely say “the best surprise is no surprise” and there will be no surprises.
M
Mission of God in Christ
1. To participate in the life and mission of the community so as to engage more fully in God’s transforming mission amongst all peoples in all places.
I
Image of God restored
Sure, we had five promises and now we have seven – but are they really much different? Are they promises I am already living, or wanting to live anyway? The seven promises of the CMS Community are essentially: 1) to make my life about mission, 2) to help be a part of God’s transforming work in the world, 3)
2. To encourage the transformation of individuals, communities and societies by sharing
to acknowledge that mission is also my responsibility
Jesus and encouraging others to become his disciples.
I keep myself fuelled up through Bible study and fuel
S
Serving Christ in others
3. To discern and live out my vocation, my mission service – encouraging and learning from others in theirs.
S
Sharing the Good News
4. To follow the Lord Jesus daily, witnessing to his love in everything I am, say or do, and with all the resources that I have, encouraging others to do the same.
I
Inspiration for daily life
5. To shape my life by regular prayer, Bible reading, study, reflection and mutual encouragement (one possible pattern of prayer is the CMS Daily).
O
Outcomes in local-global mission
6. To be part of a local Christian community, working to see its life shaped by the global ministry of Jesus and by sharing in the mission of the worldwide church.
N
“...I love the seven promises. They help me keep my life intentionally focussed on mission in the name of Jesus.”
to live out, 4) to live for Jesus every day, 5) to ensure mission through my prayers and connection with others, 6) to help keep mission as a priority in my church and 7) to regularly review how I am doing with the other six promises and renew my commitment to them, preferably with another member. I have to say, I love the seven promises. They help keep my life intentionally focussed on mission in the name of Jesus. They help me regularly renew my commitment to Jesus and to seeing his love shared with others – not only in those I seek to support overseas, but also in my own life. There is integrity in this. I can look my African, Asian, South American, and other brothers and sisters of the faith in the eyes and say, “Yes, I believe in mission where you are and am seeking to make a difference there through my praying giving and sending. But I am also helping to make a difference for the gospel here where I am too. I am living a mission lifestyle. You can trust me on that.” For me, living for Jesus, seeing him shared and lives changed is what my life is about. Being a part of the
New life in the Spirit
7. To participate in the regular review and renewal of discipleship and the life of the community, reviewing personal ‘rhythms of life’, and being open to sharing with others.
CMS Community helps make that happen and helps me help others with the same passion to dolikewise. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of that?
It takes a whole village to raise a child. An African Proverb
Joseph Steinberg is director of mission stewardship at CMS in Oxford. 11 yes Community Edition 2009
CMS and SMCs
That’s “small missional communities” to the rest of us. Ian Adams explains how starting a small missional community can change the world.
Some 2,000 years ago a movement began, which would go on to transform individuals and reshape empires with a vision of a world renewed through love of God and love of neighbour. Initially comprised of Jewish followers of the healerteacher Jesus of Nazareth, later known as People of the Way, then as Christians, this movement was, from its beginnings, formed in community. Jesus grew a community of disciples, and the early church sprang to life in small communities around the empire. Community life soon became a surging stream through which the flowing resurrection life of Jesus was shared – and the world changed. Two millenia on, there seems to be a renewed discovery of the possibilities for good that can come from small groups of people getting together to try to follow Jesus, to experience sharing his resurrection life and to see their lives – and their wider communities – transformed.
For the past five years I’ve been part of a small Christ-following community in my town. It’s been an amazing experience, at times tough, often wonderful, always shaping us for the better. The community is made up of people in all kinds of jobs, and includes both children and adults, not living under one roof but trying to live a community rhythm of weekly community meals, daily prayer, weekend worship, and acts of service to neighbour and stranger. As one member put it, “This community has given me space to contribute whatever God has given me...has reawakened creativity in me, and has started to help me reconnect my faith and aspects of my life that had somehow come to inhabit separate boxes.” It’s just one model, it’s not spectacular, and it’s definitely not the right or the only way, but the community’s life has quietly rippled out and seems to
Why the emphasis on community?
have made a difference to people in it and around it.
Since the time of Jesus his followers have perhaps
The small missional communities project
most effectively embodied his presence by living out stories of community. The late Br Roger of Taize memorably called for Christians to ‘”live a parable of community.” And in this wonderful but suffering world the need for new Christ-centred communities serving their wider communities is as vital as it has ever been.
Christ-centred community life can change the world, but experience shows that it is neither easy to start nor simple to sustain. It’s pioneering, demanding work that can feel fragile and hard. This is where the CMS Small Missional Communities project comes in. Our aim is to facilitate, encourage and enable
Why missional?
the growth of small missional communities, initially
In the gospels Jesus called his followers to look
in the UK, through offering a mix of conversation,
outwards to engage lovingly and creatively with
mentoring, guiding and resourcing.
the world around them. [“Blessed are those who
There’s an online network where people interested
mourn, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
in starting and sustaining communities can share
righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are
learning. The network resources include a weekly
the peacemakers...”] The risen Jesus is for all peoples
series of discussions called ‘Ways into Small
and for all times, and cannot be contained, limited or
Missional Community’ offering insights and inviting
selfishly hoarded.
group members to share their experiences and
Why small?
12 yes Community Edition 2009
Small missional community experience
learning in these areas.
Small is not necessarily a virtue on its own. But in
Why CMS?
Christian community smallness enables participation,
For 200 years CMS and our forebears, inspired by
and participation is crucial if people are to shape
the Jesus we find in the gospels and rediscover in
and be shaped by their following of Christ in their
daily experience, have been seeking to transform
own context and setting. Smallness enables genuine
the world, beginning with the fight against slavery
transformations, authentic relationships and gritty
and continuing in the 21st century. Currently CMS
engagements with the world.
mission partners are working in areas such as urban
“Smallness enables genuine transformations, authentic relationships and gritty engagements with the world”
development, caring for underprivileged children,
The nature of this network of small missional
hospitals and environmental action and protection.
communities – largely lay-led, incorporating shared
CMS knows what it’s like to engage in mission, and
learning styles, and shaped by the people in each
its global insights, experiences and partnerships
community – means that a new generation of small
provide a rich store of resources and inspiration to
missional communities will have the flexibility to
small missional communities.
emerge from and adapt to their own cultures and
CMS is also now an acknowledged mission
settings. This is an exciting prospect.
community in the Church of England. So, in a similar
Ian Adams is the CMS missional community
way perhaps to the Franciscans, CMS is working
developer.
out another fluid model of mission and presence alongside – and complimentary to – existing
For more information on small missional communities:
parish or diocesan models. Some small missional
web: cms-uk.org/smc
communities are exploring formal links to the CMS
online network: cmskindling.ning.com/group/smc
community and may come to see CMS as their
email: ian.adams@cms-uk.org
primary place of belonging and accountability. Others
phone: 01548 550388
will be happily plugged into their own local networks.
mobile: 07889906983
CMS sponsored national cycle tour May 2010
We’re putting our wheels in mission on a 13-city cycle, rolling into Oxford just in time for Day 50 celebrations (see back cover). To learn more about being part of the ride, or sponsoring a cyclist, contact Chris Woo: chris.woo@cms-uk.org Tel: 01865 787517
For more information visit: www.cms-uk.org/challenges
Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
13 yes Community Edition 2009
A year of living 2/44 All that you can’t leave behind, you bring with you, says Emma Woo, resident of the House 244 community in Oxford We moved from Watford to Oxford last August
groceries in bulk we can afford to buy higher quality,
in order for my husband to be near the CMS office
more environmentally friendly products. I have also
where he works, and also to be part of the new
found that it is a good lesson to have to wait to use
CMS-instigated residential community in East Oxford:
something like the washing machine or telephone as
House 244. After a year of helping to get the house
it reminds you that having access to these things is a
in order, along with nine other residents ranging in
privilege and not something to be taken for granted.
ages from age zero to fiftysomething, we’re starting
Although Acts 2:44 is often used to show the
to settle into a new way of living. Recently, I have found myself meditating on all that we have brought to this community, and all that we have gained.
“stuff” we all bring with us into community is not just physical. One of the questions we were asked
greatly from my family’s move to Oxford I fear we
upon applying to move into the house pertained to
still brought too
the particular interests,
much with us. As
skills and abilities we
I sifted through
could bring to the
our belongings
community. It has
I was caught by
been fascinating to see
the urge to get
how different people
rid of as much
can contribute to the
as possible,
running of the house,
motivated both
from organising events
by the smaller
to draw people in,
space we were moving into and the desire for a fresh
to growing vegetables in the garden, to using their
start with less clutter. Other community members
networking skills to meet others’ needs. When faced
have said the move to Oxford gave them a “chance
with a new challenge, you discover just what skills
to re-evaluate how much stuff we have.”
you have. Rather like Mary Poppins pulling just the
and had everything in common.” I can’t claim that we share everything but I have found unexpected blessings in sharing some things. When there are so
thing needed out of her carpet bag, I have seen different community members (both residential and from the wider community) draw upon different skills and abilities just as the need arises.
many things you can share you realise how little you
It goes without saying that when you choose to live
actually need to own. More than one couple living
closely with other people you also bring with you all
in the house has small children. One of the benefits
the rest of who you are, even the bits you wish you
we have found is the sharing of toys between the
could leave behind. When I imagined living in the
children in the house. We only “need” one television
community I envisaged myself turning overnight into a
(much to the confusion of the television licensing
paragon of virtue, simply by sheer force of will. I would
agency) and find that we don’t watch it very often
leave behind my bad habits, my judgemental attitudes,
as there are always other more interesting things to
and any tendency towards gossip. I would never make
do and people to talk to. After years of feeling guilty
myself vulnerable by exposing my weaknesses because
about how much television I watch, it now seems
I wouldn’t have any. I believed that in order to find my
dull in comparison to conversation.
place in the community I would need to be perfect. A
A major motivation for us as a community is the good stewardship of the resources we have been given and our impact on the planet. By living together we hope to pool our resources and ultimately use less. By buying the majority of our
14 yes Community Edition 2009
very much that the early believers left it at that. The
Whilst the Freecycle network in Watford benefited
Acts 2:44 tells us that early believers “were together
“The ‘stuff’ we all bring with us into community is not just physical”
Christian principle of sharing material goods, I doubt
year in, I have found that it is precisely in times when our weaknesses are exposed by close communion with others, that we are transformed in more than a cosmetic way. God uses others to knock the edges off us and refine our characters.
As humans we have a deep desire to be known,
to others than you realise and your openness and
even in all our imperfection. The relief in living
willingness to use your skills and experiences could
closely with others and finding that they are not
change someone else’s life for the better.
perfect is magical. The acknowledgement that you don’t have to be perfect to be loved and accepted is an important step in healthy Christian growth and transformation. My reflection at the end of this year then is that when
“As humans we have a deep desire to be known, even in all our imperfection”
you are trying to build community, be it a residential community like ours, or simply a stronger relationship with your neighbours or your fellow church members, you should bring with you all that you can’t leave behind. Everything that makes you “you” can be used by God to build community and intimacy. Your material resources could be more of a blessing
Firm foundations: Houses of mission
A few words from Chris Neal In August 2008, seven adults and two babies
St Julian’s or the Fellowship House of Foxbury, or in
moved into House 244 in Oxford and began a
gatherings for prayer and fellowship. Such a com-
new phase in the ongoing journey of CMS.
mitment flows not simply from our history, nor the
As we explore what community means and how
human desire to meet together; it comes deep for
to express it in our world, it is important to recall
the heart of God, who revealed himself as commu-
our roots. CMS was birthed from a group of people
nity – the community of the Trinity. Early followers of
passionate to live out their Christian discipleship in a
Jesus discovered this call to relational living. This was
relationship not only with the Lord Jesus Christ, but
reflected in the early church, has echoed down the
also with each other. Gathered in Clapham Common,
generations, and now needs to be rediscovered.
they met three times a day for prayer, and in so doing
There can be little doubt that our world teeters on
rediscovered the power of God’s Spirit lifting them
the edge of disaster, and that many of the ways in
from their immediate concerns to hear the cry of the
which we have lived, especially in the West, will be
oppressed. Within a short time they had changed the
insufficient to deal with impending challenges. We
world by challenging and then abolishing the slave
need to discover new ways of living, which build
trade, and discovered for themselves the call to share
deep relationships, enable people to give themselves
in God’s mission for the whole world—and so birthed
in service of others, and encourage the sharing of
what is now the Church Mission Society.
ever-scarcer resources. Houses of mission are intend-
This call to a shared life has always been part of
ed to be beacons of light, enabling God’s people to
the CMS experience, whether residentially, through
explore and then express a different rhythm of living.
various training colleges, or retreat houses such as
Their ministry is to call all of us to reflect on how we publicly live out our discipleship. The opening of a house of mission in Oxford is, hopefully, just the beginning. The community there has, at the end of its first year, developed a rhythm of life, sought to shape that life by a generous hospitality and is beginning to discover ways to reach out to the wider community around them. The vision is that such houses will be established around the country, building a network of mission communities, committed to helping Christians grow in their discipleship, and follow Jesus into his world to share in his mission. Chris Neal is CMS director for contextual mission
Their community life [of the early Christians], though far from perfect . . . was nevertheless sufficiently different and impressive to attract notice, to invite curiosity, and to inspire discipleship in an age that was as pleasure-conscious, as materialistic and as devoid of serious purpose as our own. Michael Green
and community. 15 yes Community Edition 2009
Community: good questions We sat down with Tim and Dakin and Chris Neal and asked some pointed questions about CMS and community. Here are their candid responses, somewhat condensed.
You just said mission has changed. Can you elaborate on that and tell us how CMS becoming a community is a response to the times?
First of all, why community?
Britain and Europe used to be the heartlands of
Well, of course Christian community isn’t a new thing
church all over the world; today they are in spiritual
– the Christian church has always expressed itself as koinonia – fellowship. God reveals himself to us in community: the Trinity. A key thing to remember is that community isn’t, and never has been, an end in itself — our purpose is to share in God’s mission, participating in the transformation and renewal of all creation.
Where did the idea of a CMS community come from?
world Christianity, enabling the expansion of the recession. The mission field is no longer just “over there”. It’s right at our doorstep. More importantly, the task is too big and too important to be left to professional missionaries alone. What we need is every member mission. As a community, CMS can help the church understand this and become globally and locally connected in mission.
Community has been part of the fundamental nature
Does that mean CMS will no longer work in Asia in Africa, but only in Europe?
of CMS from the very beginning. Our founders,
Absolutely not. The community will continue to be
members of the Clapham Sect, were an informal community, living in close proximity, visiting each others’ houses and sharing hospitality, praying and working together for the transformation of society and the extension of the gospel beyond Britain.
linked to CMS–sponsored work and partnerships. It will continue to foster the exchange of mission partners, short-term mission projects, and the interchange of people from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Also, as well as stimulating and
This close-knit community became the basis for
encouraging people to directly participate in mission,
a new more spread-out communal expression of
our experience of cross-cultural mission training
the faith as CMS became an association of those
is now seen as highly relevant to the Church of
committed to world mission.
England’s desire to train people for pioneer ministry.
John V Taylor (CMS General Secretary 1963-73) advocated a vision of CMS as a community of mission service. He didn’t mean people wearing strange clothes or living in monastic houses. He had
How did CMS become recognised/ acknowledged as a mission community by the Church of England?
in mind a spread-out community, people linked by
As we’ve said, the idea has been around a long
a shared commitment to sharing Jesus: living in a
time. It re-emerged as CMS undertook various
Christ-like way with a regular rhythm of work, prayer,
strategic reviews around its bi-centenary year
reflection, study, hospitality and witness. Being a
(1999). Last year, members were consulted in a
community is a way to refresh our founders’ vision
series of meetings held throughout the country.
and explore new ways of living it out.
Then in November 2008 the Advisory Council on the Relations of Bishops and Religious Communities
Aren’t there already lots of Christian communities?
of the Church of England formally recommended
Yes, however, the world situation has changed and
to satisfy the Advisory Council that it was properly
mission is changing all the time. Since our particular focus is on mission, CMS has some unique things to share with the wider church, like experience and skills in cross-cultural mission and ways for people to respond to Christ’s call to life-long discipleship.
16 yes Community Edition 2009
that CMS should be acknowledged. CMS needed constituted, ready to agree a rhythm of life, put in place a process of review and appoint an Episcopal Visitor. In the first instance the Bishop of Coventry, the Right Rev Christopher Cocksworth will take on this responsibility.
So what do individual members do? What are the obligations and responsibilities?
What steps are involved for newcomers to become members?
Members are encouraged to commit to seven
community are invited to indicate their commitment
promises: (i) use the community to engage more
to its vision and values. They will be encouraged to
fully in mission (ii) work for the transformation of
write their own membership commitment and then
individuals and communities through sharing Jesus
share this with an existing member who will link
and helping others to become disciples (iii) serving
them with other Community members.
others (iv) sharing the good news (v) regular prayer,
People who wish to become members of the
of a local Christian community connecting to and
Is the community primarily for the UK? Can people from elsewhere join?
living out the global ministry of Jesus (vii) regularly
It’s fair to say that the community is primarily UK-
reviewing and renewing their discipleship with the
Europe. It is understood, however, that there will
help of others. It’s important to understand that there
be many from elsewhere who share our mission
is plenty of space for each individual to express these
vision and values and will want to join CMS including
in their own way.
mission partners sent from the UK and Salt
Bible reading, study and reflection (vi) being part
What values does the community stand for?
Fellowship members.
What is the leadership structure?
CMS has four key values that inform our common
Members of the CMS community will regularly elect
life. We strive to be (i) pioneering (ii) evangelistic (iii)
a body of Trustees from among their number. They
relational and (iv) faithful. Community is not an end
are responsible for governance and policy making.
in itself, but a way of sharing the special gifts of CMS
They appoint a General Secretary who with a senior
with the wider church.
management team and staff are responsible for day
Does membership require living in a residential community? No. CMS members have always been a spread out movement, people committed to being salt and light
to day operations of the CMS mission organisation. The community will open up many new opportunities for members to participate in mission locally and globally.
wish to form residential mission communities or be
Does it have a constitution and rules? How can these be changed?
linked to one.
Yes. The purpose of these is to set out the vision and
wherever they are. Even so, some members may
If I’m already a CMS member, will I be required to start all over again?
values of the Community. As with all constitutions, there are procedures to be followed in the event that members propose constitutional change. The aim of
CMS members have been the lifeblood of its
the community is to assist its members to live out their
mission work from the earliest days. The integration
discipleship, energise people for mission, and to offer
of CMS and the South American Mission Society
ways to help people to review how they’re getting on.
(SAMS) requires the creation of a new legal entity. their membership. There’s an expectation that
What’s happens if the community goes off the rails?
mission partners will be members of the community.
First of all, the community will have an Episcopal
In the buildup to that we will all be encouraged
Visitor whose task is to ensure that it is faithful to its
to engage in a special six-session study of the
vision and values and that it’s rhythm of life is in good
membership promises during Lent 2010. We’re
shape. Elected trustees carry a special responsibility
planning to give this Lent resource to all members,
for governance and oversight. And members are
so that we can all work through it during Lent. Then
encouraged to be accountable to each other. The
during Pentecost, we will ask people to renew their
Ethos Statement of CMS is another important
membership and we will celebrate this renewal with
safeguard of our vision, values and spiritual life.
Consequently, existing members will need to renew
some very special events.
If you have questions that haven’t been answered here, please feel free to request an extended version of this question-answer session. 15 yes Community Edition 2009
Crowther Centre news
Forthcoming events:
Trinitarian roots), and in ecclesiology and ministry. He
You are invited to the following free, public lectures: 7.30 pm, 23 November 2009: Nick Spencer
is author of Models of Contextual Theology and coauthor (with Roger Schroeder SVD) of Constants in Context: a theology of mission for today.
“Darwin: Evolutionist, agnostic... and honorary
Dr Lalsangkima Pachuau – Feb to May 2010
missionary” at St Giles’ Church, Oxford.
Dr Lalsangkima Pachuau was born and grew up in India.
Nick Spencer is Director of Studies at the public
Currently, he is director of postgraduate studies and
theology think tank, Theos, having previously worked
associate professor of history and theology of mission
for the Henley Centre, the London Institute for
at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, USA. He
Contemporary Christianity and the Jubilee Centre.
has authored and edited several books, including Ethnic
Annual Crowther Lecture at the Crowther Centre for Mission Education: 7.30 pm, 3 December 2009: Stephen Bevans SVD “Constancy or Fidelity? Contextual Theology and Christian Tradition”
Missiologists in Residence
Identity and Christianity (Peter Lang, 2002). His interests are world Christianity, missiology, social and religious movements in South Asia and contextual and intercultural theologies. Dr Pachuau, an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of India, is a parish associate for the Nicholasville Presbyterian Church and is a member of
Dr Stephen Bevans SVD – Sept to Dec 2009
the church development and evangelism committee,
Dr Stephen Bevans is currently Professor of Mission
Transylvania Presbytery. He is married to Lalneih Kimi
and Culture at the Catholic Theological Union in
Sailo. They have two sons.
Chicago, USA. Before joining the faculty in 1986, Stephen Bevans spent nine years in the Philippines teaching theology at a diocesan seminary. That experience coloured the way he does theology and influenced his theological interests. His teaching and research probes issues in faith and culture, of mission theology (particularly its
Current titles: 1. In the Shadow of the Elephant: Bishop Crowther and the African missionary movement Jehu J Hanciles, March 2008 2. Trauma, Migration and Mission: biblical reflections from a traumatised Hebrew Ida Glaser, June 2008 3. Bula Matari and Life-Community for God’s Mission in Congo Titré Ande, July 2008 4. The Bible and Tomorrow’s World Tom Wright, September 2008 5. A Biblical Basis for Project Evaluation Johan P Velema, March 2009 6. Christian Mission in a Pluralist Context: on the margins and in competition? Tim Dakin, March 2009 7. A Church of England Approach to the Unique Significance of Jesus Christ Martin Davie, May 2009 8. Telling it Slant: the need for ec-centric mission John Pritchard, May 2009 9. Christianity in Europe: the way we are now Parush R Parushev, May 2009 10. The Demographics and Dynamics of Christian Expansion Todd M Johnson, September 2009 11. Wrestling with Angels — Inspiration and Writing Catherine Fox, September 2009 12. Growing Hopeful Earthkeepers: Training Missionaries in the Care of Creation Fay Farley, September 2009 13. Global Poverty and Integral Mission C René Padilla, September 2009
18 yes Community Edition 2009
The Crowther Centre for Mission Education is located at CMS, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ www.cms-uk.org For more information please contact Berdine van den Toren Tel: 01865 787400 Email: berdine.vandentoren@cms-uk.org
“Excuse me, may I have your monograph?” Of course you can! Crowther Centre monographs are proof that good things come in small packages. These occasional publications from key mission thinkers and practitioners highlight current issues in mission. They’re already a bargain at £2.50 each, but purchase a subscription and get 6 printed monographs for only £12 or £10 for digital (pdf) versions. They’ll be sent to you as soon as they are published. Orders can be placed through the CMS website: www.cms-uk.org/monographs Or go to the CMS online shop: www.cms-shop.org.uk
Crowther Centre for Mission Education CMS, Watlington Road, OX4 6BZ 01865 787400 www.cms-uk.org
by John Martin There are over 55,000 Congolese people living in exile in Britain and a growing number of diaspora churches; we know of over 40. CMS is connecting with some of them through a new Prayer for Peace in Congo network, which held a prayer vigil in London on 21 September.
Evangelism and conversion to Christianity
the government to seriously reflect that they have
can be of public benefit, the Charity Commission
not been able until now to control the misuse of
found in a public-benefit assessment report on
the blasphemy law and it keeps increasing and
the Church Mission Society released in July. The
increasing.” To add your voice to this initiative, go to
report gave CMS a full bill of health and made no
this website:
recommendations to the Society’s Trustees for
http://pakistansignnow.petitionhost.com
changes. The Charities Act now requires all registered
The Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, a former CMS
charities to show that their work contributes a public
General Secretary, ended his time as Bishop of
benefit. CMS was one of 12 organisations selected
Rochester at the end of August with a ringing call
for in-depth assessment. The other Christian
for the Church of England to speak out more to
organisation involved was Stoke-based United
preserve the country’s Christian heritage and offer
Christian Broadcasters. The public benefit credentials
clearer moral guidance. “I think it will need to be
of independent fee-paying schools has been the
more visible and take more of a stand on moral and
major issue under scrutiny in public debate.
spiritual issues,” the bishop said. Born in Pakistan, he
It’s with great sadness that we note the death
became the Church’s first Asian bishop when he was
of Ian Smith 29 July 2009. For the last two years
appointed to Rochester in 1994.
he was mission director for CMS Ireland and before
A word of welcome to the Most Rev Nicholas
that, he spent 23 years with CMS. In Ian’s own
Orogodo Okoh who has been elected Archbishop
words, mission was “in his DNA.” Our thoughts and
of Nigeria. He succeeds Archbishop Peter Akinola
prayers are with his family – particularly his wife Carol
who was interviewed in Yes magazine back in 1997.
and his son and daughter Luke and Colletta.
He revealed himself as a very plainspoken leader,
“There are over 55,000 Congolese people living in exile in Britain”
deeply concerned about how Nigeria’s army had been exhausted through being politicized, and highly critical of the country’s culture of corruption. We note with sadness the passing of Archbishop Joseph Marona, fifth Archbishop of Sudan. Yes magazine interviewed him with the man who became his successor, Dr Daniel Deng Bul, in 1998. Joseph Marona was a fearless wartime leader of his people. His stories of endurance and God’s Ian Smith
providence in hard times were always an inspiration. Speaking of Sudan, massacres in Jonglei State have
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are imprecise and
exposed deep fears for Sudan’s peace process and
often misused to incite violence against religious
prompted an international appeal by its archbishop.
minorities, particularly Christians. Now the Network
The killings took place in Wernyol, a town in Twic East
for Interfaith Concerns of the Anglican Communion
County, Jonglei State, and were politically motivated,
is inviting people to sign a petition seeking their
according to the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church
abolition. Bishop Samuel Azariah of the Church
of Sudan, the Most Rev Dr Daniel Deng Bul.
of Pakistan comments, “The time has come for
NEXT ISSUE OF yes DUE February 2010
19 yes Community Edition 2009