FOREWORD
REV. DR. COLLIN I. COWAN GENERAL SECRETARY COUNCIL FOR WORLD MISSION
The conference centred around Context reading, calling attention to the deep spiritual heritage of the Welsh people; A keynote presentation on the CWM theme, “Healing the Broken Body: Hope for Renewal”, ably presented by Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, former General Secretary of World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC); Group discussion around evangelism in the context of empire, Members’ Mission Forum and the 2020 and beyond agenda, stimulating conversations and offering insights; The General Secretary’s presentation on CWM’s strategy of working through member churches; A time of heart-to-heart sharing, focusing on the moments, moods and movements in the life of the General Secretary, accompanied with prayers with and for one another Sharing of stories from the regions, calling attention to ways in which current social issues are impacting the lives of people and the environment and pointing to opportunities for mission engagement through the church. Throughout our time together we sensed that the General Secretaries welcomed the opportunity to be in conversation and to benefit from each other’s contribution; and that this was a truly meaningful time of getaway to connect with themselves and their spiritualities. It was a privilege to have our Moderator, the Reverend Darchonhaia Darnei, in attendance who brought greetings on the opening day of the conference and preached at the closing service of worship and communion.
The Moderator used the opportunity to call the General Secretaries to consider The need to balance support for local mission on the ground with the call to be a prophetic voice on the global scene The importance of evangelism as the church’s primary calling, noting the need to be faithful in living out this calling within the context of empire
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The call to discern the direction for 2020 and beyond, reminding them of the present strategy, which ends in 2019
The need to review members’ financial commitment to CWM, embodying the Acts of the Apostles’ principle of ‘giving according to means and receiving according to needs’
From the report of the listening and discernment group, the General Secretaries are hopeful of the future for CWM and committed to playing their part. Observing that there were more questions than answers offered hope to the General Secretaries that we are on to a new path of discerning together the direction for CWM; and they found this approach particularly helpful as we move towards developing a strategy for 2020 and beyond.
The General Secretaries also called for
Among their questions were the following:
Can CWM accompany member churches in their relationships with one another? Can member churches be facilitated to share resources, initiatives and best practices with one another?
For further consideration they lifted up the following:
Bible study resources on the role of women in the church, observing that the ministry of women is still contested in some places, even within the CWM family Further reflection on the Members’ Mission Forum to see how best this mechanism can help to focus member churches’ concerns in conversation with the wider vision of CWM The use of CWM’s website to its best advantage
It is our tradition at every gathering of this nature to ask General Secretaries to share news and information from their churches. However, due to the limitations of time allowance in the programme only a small number of presentations from member churches are accommodated per gathering, leaving the deep desire of members to hear each others’ stories greatly unsatisfied. This year, we have gratefully received submissions of stories from member churches told in their own words and styles, which we have compiled in this booklet. It is my pleasurable duty to present to you this compilation of stories from around our 32 member churches for your reading pleasure and also for your remembrance in your quiet moments of prayers of thanksgiving, and in Christian solidarity with each other.
Making their input on the 2020 and beyond agenda, the General Secretaries once again embraced and affirmed CWM’s nine themes as having relevance for the moment in which we stand and pertinent as we consider the future.
The increasing profile of persons aged sixty and above in the population, questioning whether enough attention is being placed on their needs Terrorism and oppressive nationalism, noting the extent of pressure and fear being experienced by various peoples in many places around the world Geopolitical issues of significance – the spread of Islam, the rise of China and the continuing growth of Christianity in the global South
Climate change, recognising how ‘it continues to cause pain and damage in many areas of the world’ Movements of people – refugees from war and hunger, climate refugee, political refugees, migrant workers, among others; and the role of the church in advocating for justice and offering a ministry of hope and healing
I salute you and bless you,
Collin Cowan 5
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CWM GLOBAL
Churches of Christ in Malawi (CCM) Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) United Church of Zambia (UCZ) United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA)
Churches of Christ in Malawi
Introduction
Brief history
CCM
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
Looking to the future
)
Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar Overview on the History of the FJKM
First period (1818–1896): laying the foundation and building
FJKM
Second period (1897–1968): extension and thriving
Isan'enimbolan'Imerina’
Third period (from 1968 to date): the expansion and promotion
1.
‘Oh, what a joy, We’ve come to live this moment; Our wishes have been fulfilled, So praised be the Father! We offer you our bodies and souls, As a sacrifice pleasing You, Because we recognize and are hoping to be recognized As new people.’ (Protestant Hymn 545)
First period extended from 1968 to 1996
lohavolana
fitandremana
isan'efabolana isan-keritaona fitandremana
2.
synodamparitany isan-keritaona
Second period from 1996 until now
Conclusion Isan'enimbolan'Imerina synodamparitany
synodamparitany
The United Church of Zambia
The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) is known to have existed in unity and social action for more than fifty years, hence living up to its tagline ‘All One in Christ’ (John 17:21).
UCZ
1st Phase: Seeing this was not possible, in 1945 the Church of Scotland congregations in Northern Rhodesia, the L.M.S congregations and the congregations of the Union Church on the Copperbelt entered into full union. As a sign that they still looked forward to union with the Nyasaland Church they adopted the name, merely substituting “in Rhodesia” for “Presbyterian”. So there came into being at Chitambo on 1st December 1945 the Church of Central Africa in Rhodesia (CCAR). At this point the Methodist Church had only showed willingness to join but was not part of the union.
Active Partnerships: The UCZ has had very active partnerships with the WCC, WCRC, CEVAA, CCZ, METHODIST CHURCH, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, and AACC, to name a few. At the moment, we are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the UPCSAZambia for stronger working cooperation.
2nd Phase: The second phase of the union took place when in 1958 the European congregations of the Copperbelt Christian Council (C.B.C.C) approached the C.C.A.R with a request to be admitted into that Church. The application was received with deep gratitude to God and enthusiastically granted; with the word “UNITED” being added to the name of the Church to mark the admission of the European congregations which had formerly been organized as a separate body. Earlier in the same year permission was granted to the Methodist Church and a Church Union Negotiations Committee representatives was set up, from the U.C.C.A.R and the Methodist Church, with observers from the Anglican Church and the Church of Barotseland (PEMS). On 26th July 1958 at Mindolo the United Church of Central Africa in Rhodesia (UCCAR) came into being. This union only incorporated the Church of Scotland, the London Missionary Society, the Union Churches on the Copperbelt, some Baptist congregations on the Copperbelt and the Copperbelt Free Church Council of European Congregations.
CWM Programmes: The UCZ has since its affiliation benefited from various programmes such as Training In Mission (TIM) for our youths; Education in Mission (EIM); Helping People to Act (HEPETA); Face to Face(for both Theological Students as well as Ministers –Fiji, India, Zambia etc.); grants and scholarships. The UCZ has also participated in sharing human resource/personnel by sending and receiving missionaries to/from the CWM family.
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The following activities have been undertaken:
Future plans
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa
United Congregational Church of Southern Africa: a story of unity and witness one church in five countries
united Congregationalist, educator & anti-apartheid activist
One People One People
Congregationalist, missionary & ecumenist
ubuntu and bana ba tshipa tshwaraganeng
Born out of unity and for unity
Congregationalist, women’s rights campaigner & anti-apartheid activist
UCCSA 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Honouring Joseph and Marjorie Wing
united
Kairos Document
Kairos Document
Kairos Document Trapped in Apartheid: a Socio-Theological History of the English-Speaking Churches Kairos Document,
Document
Being and becoming a missional church
African, prophetic, ecumenical
The UCCSA’s CWM profile
united
hopeful
The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
“We are a diverse community of Reformed Christians led by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, prayerfully seeking the will of God for our lives together and the world.� Our vision
Our mission
Our mission priorities
UPCSA
A Missional Church is a sent Church, which understands its primary work as witnessing to Christ and serving God in the world. A Missional Church is shaped by God for the community into which God has placed it. It is focused on those who don't yet know Jesus and on working with God in bringing fullness of life (involving justice, healing, wholeness and reconciliation) to all the people of the world. A Congregation (or worshipping community) is a group of people who gather regularly to meet Christ in Word and sacrament, practice mutual care and make disciples in our changing contexts. They do so while seeking to participate with God in the transformation of the world. As communities, they move toward sustainability in leadership and ministry.
Poverty eradication projects supported by the UPCSA office currently
Guyana Congregational Union (GCU) United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI)
The Guyana Congregational Union
GCU Theme: ‘GCU On The Move: Creating The Right Image’
GCU Mission celebrations
Mission success stories
Messy Church and Men’s Fellowship
Youth mission projects
Prayer request Challenges
Upcoming events
The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands The United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands (UCJCI) is called to witness to the love of Christ not only through words, but through deeds. Meeting the needs of people is, therefore, an important aspect of ministry. Our mission statement
UCJCI Education
Social outreach
Senior Citizen’s Home
A unique prison ministry
Our ministry against ‘human trafficking’
A comprehensive counseling ministry
We are grateful
A ‘missional’ church
East Asia
Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia (GPM) Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China (HKCCCC) Presbyterian Church in Singapore (PCS) Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM)
Gereja Presbyterian Malaysia
Introduction
Brief history
GPM
Success stories
Challenges
Future plans
Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China
Our name HKCCCC is the abbreviation of the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China. We are one of the founding members of Council for World Mission (CWM) in 1977 as well as presently the only member church of CWM in Hong Kong.
A centennial movement of church unity Background: In the 19th and early 20th century, China was suffering from imperialism and colonialism, particularly that from the West. Christianity was accused of being an instrument of this imperialism and colonialism. Church leaders in China jointly advocated the movements of unity, indigenisation, and three-self (selfgovernance, self-support and self-propagation). In 1918 in Nanjing, China, the Presbyterian Church in China invited representatives from the Congregational Church and London Missionary Society (LMS) to discuss the agenda of unity. In 10–14 January 1919, delegates from The Presbyterian Church, The Congregational Church and LMS with the representatives from the British Baptist Church and the Quakers met also in Nanjing to discuss the draft of a United Christian Church in China. In 1927 the First Assembly of the Church of Christ in China (CCC) was officially convened.
a city, the churches of CCC in Hong Kong and Macau comprised the church body known as the Hong Kong Council.
Confession of faith and principles of union of HKCCCC Doctrinal basis
Structure of the CCC: National Assembly, Provincial Synods, District Councils, Local Churches.
1.
In our faith in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Lord upon whom the Christian Church is founded, and an earnest desire for the establishment of His Kingdom throughout the whole earth.
2.
In our acceptance of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the divinely inspired Word of God and the supreme authority in matters of faith and duty
3.
In our acknowledgement of the Apostles’ Creed as expressing the fundamental doctrines of our common evangelical faith, which faith has been the heritage and strength of the Christian Church through all its history.
Founding churches of the CCC: The Presbyterians, the Congregationals, LMS, the British Baptist, the United Brethren, the Swedish Mission Society, and the Berlin Mission.
Principles of union
Establishment of the HKCCCC 1949: The People’s Republic of China was founded. 1950: Missionaries were forced to leave China. 1954: CCC local churches in Hong Kong had to separate from the Guongdong Synod. Hence the HKCCCC was registered as an independent church body in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong Is
1.
Support the unity movement
2.
Emphasise on democratic participation
3.
Advance the three-self principles
4.
Believe in equal rights of genders
5.
Practice the principles of ‘Mutual respect, trust and sharing’
Membership of HKCCCC 48
HKCCCC
Membership of HKCCCC
Principles of mission strategy
MSP4: A Compassionate Church for Others (2017–2020)
Presbyterian Church in Singapore
Our history
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
PCS
awareness of workplace safety. We also organise welfare programmes such as conducting English courses to enable them to read and understand basic and functional English so that they are able to understand safety signages in their work places. Churches also provide activities during their rest days to meet their social needs. Many of our member churches also provide programmes in their respective communities to serve the various age groups. These include kindergartens, childcare centres and home for the elderly.
Activities organised by member church for Thai immigrants in Singapore
Future plans We plan to strengthen the programmes which will help the vulnerable groups in our society, such as elderly living alone, abandoned children and people with disabilities etc., not forgetting the thousands of migrant workers in our midst. This involves the setting up of more family service centres and migrant workers’ ministries. The challenges we face include high rental and labour costs to run these family service centres. We pray that God will provide the sufficient resources and committed volunteers, leading us to accomplish these missions for His glory.
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Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
Introduction
History
PCT Missio Dei
Vision for tomorrow
Mission programmes of the church
Presbyterian Church of Korea
Introduction
Brief history
PCK
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
Future plans
Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
The General Assembly consists of ten Synods according to their dialects:
PCM
Mission programmes of PCM
Theological education: its challenges and ministry
Healing Department (Agape Hospital) ministry
Children Development (CDD) ministry
Women ministry
and
Youth
Department
Department
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Congregational Federation (CF) United Reformed Church (URC) Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) Presbyterian Church of Wales (PCW)
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Congregational Federation Introduction Our name is the Congregational Federation (CF). We are known nationally for bringing together many independent churches for their mutual support and the advancement of the Christian faith. This year we celebrate the centenary of the first woman to be ordained as a minister in England, Constance Coltman and we have the oldest independent chapel in England, in Horningsham on the Longleat estate. Constance Coltman at Wolverton Church
Brief history The Federation has churches directly affiliated to it from England, Scotland and Wales. In 2017, there are 255 member churches, from the Shetland Isles in the very north of Scotland to the Isle of Wight in England, plus everywhere in between. There are 35 churches in Scotland, 28 in Wales and 192 in England split into seven geographical areas. The administrative offices are based in Nottingham city centre in England. The Congregational Federation emerged from a group of individual Congregationalists, both ministers and lay folk, who shared a concern about the drift away from independency and other unique qualities of Congregationalism. They had already come together, in the early 1960s, in what they termed the Congregational Association. Among these champions of continuing Congregationalism were Reginald Cleaves, Viscountess Stansgate, John Wilcox, and the leading woman Congregational minister, Elsie Chamberlain.
CF 1972
The Congregational Federation was formed in 1972 from many Congregational churches which did not wish to enter the Union of the Presbyterian Church of England and the Congregational Church in England and Wales to form the United Reformed Church (URC). These were later joined, in 2000, by many member churches of the Congregational Union of Scotland that chose not to join their merger with the United Reformed Church. The Federation’s declaration of intent stated: ‘On 14th October 1972 in a meeting in the Congregational Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, London and representing thousands more in our land, reaffirm our faith in Jesus Christ, and in the "gathered church" as that pattern of His whole Church which came to be designated as “Congregational”. The Foundation Principle was in solemn renewal of the declaration made in the Congregational Library, London on 13th May 1831 and affirmed by the Conference in Lyndhurst Road Congregational Church, London on 13th May 1972 and by the Assembly on 14th October 1972, the Federation of continuing Congregational Churches is founded on a full recognition of their own distinctive principle, namely the scriptural right in every separate Church to maintain perfect independence in the government and
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CF administration of its own particular affairs; and therefore that the Federation shall not in any case assume legislative authority, or become court of appeal.’
Terry Jin from the Presbyterian Church of Korea has been our mission partner for over 13 years. He has served four of our Congregational churches as Minister and brought many valuable skills.
We have a friendship with the URC as we have a shared history, and we support each other when appropriate. Up until a decade ago, we also sponsored the children’s organisation Pilots which is the children’s organisation for the URC formed 81 years ago by the children who saved their pennies for LMS John Williams ships. We also have a close relationship with Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) through the International Congregational Fellowship.
Photo training course
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
The following three churches won the ‘Serving the Community Awards 2017’ for the work they do in their local community.
On a national level we run an integrated training course in practical theology, accredited through York St John University, for any member of our churches.
Bellshill EU Congregational Church Bellshill EU Church offers a safe and friendly place open to people from all walks of life; their foodbank provides a much-needed service to individuals and families who due to unforeseen circumstances find themselves in financial difficulty. They also operate a school uniform bank on a termly basis. In addition, the church offers a range of social activities and events for young and old to enjoy.
We have joined Christian Aid in its Community Partnership projects and we are currently supporting two projects: El Salvador/Honduras ‘Empowering Women and Girls’ and Ethiopia ‘Healthier futures for Women and Girls’. We aim to raise £10,000 across the two projects, and the European Union (EU) will contribute a further £4 for every £1 we raise. So the £10,000 contribution from Congregational churches to Christian Aid across the two projects will become £50,000 by the time it reaches Christian Aid partners in Africa and Central America.
South Cerney United Church Over the past 20 years, South Cerney church worked alongside Cotswold District Council to develop a vibrant community centre within the village which is used by a diverse range of groups and organisations. This includes the ‘Singing for Fun’ group; ‘Cerney Seedlings’ for parents and carers with babies and toddlers; a ‘Strength and Balance’ class for seniors; holiday clubs for children and many more. The building is also
Many Congregational churches work in the heart of their communities and respond to local needs. General examples include
Food banks which supply food to those who need emergency supplies Dementia groups and dementia friendly churches to support those suffering and their families Pottery/knitting/craft clubs that bring communities together to help with problems of loneliness Holiday clubs for children in school holidays to learn about the Bible and Christian faith Toddler groups to bring new mums (and dads) together and support young families Community cafes which meet the different needs of the community e.g. homelessness, help with claims, partnerships with local supermarkets A signing church which is based on sign language for the local deaf community
Messy Church which encourages families to worship, have fun and eat together
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used for a hearing aid clinic, ‘Café Society’ for carers run by retired National Health Service (NHS) nurses; as a venue for local meetings, charity groups and other fundraisers.
Prayer requests We would love for you to pray for Congregational churches who feel vulnerable and lack inspiration, or people to be a worshipping community, ministers who are struggling, national staff to feel uplifted and encouraged in their work, volunteers on Committees, Boards and Council to have wisdom and God’s vision and will to be clear in all we do as the Congregational Federation.
Zion Miners Chapel, Llanhilleth Zion Miners Chapel has a developing programme of events to provide social engagement to help combat loneliness and isolation that affects many people, particularly carers and family members. In 2016, the chapel was recognised for becoming the first dementia-friendly chapel in Wales and offers support to people and their carers living with dementia. Advice for people living alone is given and monthly friendship groups are supported by ‘Age Cymru’. Social events including craft groups, coffee mornings, singing sessions, lunches and much more are offered on a regular basis. There are lots of challenges too that our local churches face which include
Declining numbers Ageing populations Old buildings to maintain and heat
On a national level we have just restructured and brought together Mission, Learning and Development and Youth and Children’s Departments to form a Church Support Team. The challenge is to engage with churches in a practical and real way to help them grow.
Looking to the future The Congregational Federation is going forward into the future stronger and with a new Mission Statement at the heart: ‘To equip, enable, engage and empower the churches in their mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.’ We have new staff members and so feel encouraged to see everything in a new way. There is to be a review of the functions and powers of the Council and the Secretariat, communication will improve and we hope it will strengthen relationships with our churches. The website has been updated, a new In-touch newsletter is produced each month, young people will be empowered in new ways, we have a prayer hour every Friday and a National Day of Prayer in July. Our concerns are a continued decline in churches and membership.
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Presbyterian Church of Wales
Introduction and brief history
PCW
Protestant Church in the Netherlands
A church service
Who we are
The Protestant Church in the Netherlands has 1.85 million members, making it one of the largest religious denominations in the Netherlands, with nearly 1,600 local congregations and over 2,200 ministers. About 600 of the Protestant ministers are pastoral workers in care facilities, at prisons and judicial authorities, and in the armed forces.
The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is the largest protestant church in the Netherlands in terms of membership. It is the continuation of three former churches, the Netherlands Reformed Church, the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and it has existed as of May 1st, 2004.
Brief history The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is the result of the unification of three churches. The history of this unification process goes back to the early 1960s.
A Protestant congregation can be found in nearly every city, town and village in the Netherlands. These local churches are faith-based communities of people who are united by their belief in Jesus Christ.
The Netherlands Reformed Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church emerged from the Reformation in the Netherlands in the 16th century and since then have existed side by side with each other. The Reformed Churches in the Netherlands were created in 1892 by the merger of two groups of congregations which came into being as a result of schisms in the Netherlands Reformed Church: the Secession in 1834 and the so-called Doleantie in 1886. The Evangelical Lutheran Church had been an
The general synod
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PKN independent church from the very beginning of the Reformation. In political and societal life, the Lutheran church had been discriminated against for centuries. Like other dissenters (Mennonites, Arminians) they did not enjoy equal rights with the established Reformed church until the end of the 18th century.
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church and where we are going The Protestant Church in the Netherlands wants to make clear that there is ‘more’ than what occurs in daily life, ‘more than our possibilities and impossibilities, more than the dull repetition of moves’. This is the key-note of the vision memorandum ‘The heartbeat of life’.
The Netherlands Reformed Church and the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands have grown closer together, especially since the Second World War. In 1961 nine ministers of each church gave further impetus to a ‘Together On the Way’ process, by jointly publishing the declaration of ‘The Eighteen’. Since then the synods of both churches have sought rapprochement step by step. In 1986 they announced that they were ‘in a process of reunification’. From that year the Evangelical Lutheran Church was also involved in the process of unification. So, in June 2003 the formal decision to unite could be taken in first reading, and again the minor assemblies were given a final opportunity to react.
Axes 70 cubic meters of clothing collection
The final decision on church unification was taken in separate synod meetings in three different churches in Utrecht, on 12th December 2003. An impressive joint service of thanksgiving and prayer was held in the historical Dom church of Utrecht the same evening. The united church became a fact as from 1st May 2004.
The heartbeat of life Through four topics the church wants to make clear that there is ‘more’:
Membership of the Council for World Mission is part of the legacy of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands within the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. It is a legacy that is now part of the unified church and embraced wholeheartedly. Membership of the Council for World Mission offers a network of churches engaged in mission and in ecumenical sharing of resources. The Protestant Church in the Netherlands is very aware of her own position as mainline church in an increasingly secular country. Working together in the worldwide body of Christ is encouraging and supports the missionary challenges we are facing in the Netherlands.
Through content – ‘On the day of resurrection’: religious discussion, faith intensification; initiation in religion, missionary courses
Through form – ‘Two or three in Jesus’ name’: new forms of being congregation; new forms of liturgy
In society – ‘Political body’: diaconate; church as alternative society: ethics
With other churches – ‘Together with all saints’: migrant-churches; old and new ecumenism
The concept vision memorandum starts with experiences with the present church for which the time of self-evidence has passed once and for all. Many people – also within the church – have
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The research conclusions:
doubts about the future of the church. It is about discovering the church again as what Jesus was talking about: people gathered in his name, in the belief that He Himself is in their midst as the Living One.
two
important
1.
Sunday celebrations take an essential position in these pioneering places. However, these Sunday celebrations turn out to have less ‘missionary potential’ than weekday activities, but to (Christian) volunteers and peripheral church attenders, these celebrations certainly matter.
2.
Financially and organisationally it is not feasible to have a church grow towards independence within three years. More time and lighter concepts of church are needed.
Church 2025 The main topic of the Protestant Church at the moment is focusing on the future. The policy paper ‘Church 2025 – Where there’s a Word, there’s a way’ outlines its vision on the future of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. It’s a subject on the agenda of every meeting of the general synod. In February 2015, the Protestant Church even held a public survey of church members to ask them about their opinion on the future. Around 18,000 people participated.
identified
At the end of 2012, the synod of the Protestant Church decided to establish another one hundred pioneering places. Thus, creating room for a second generation of pioneering places. The first
When Jesus sent his disciples out two by two, He instructed them not to take anything unnecessary along with them. No money, no extra tunic, just a pair of sandals for the journey (Mark 6:7-9). Nowadays, Jesus’ words ‘just sandals for the journey’ take on a new relevance. As a Protestant church, we have become heavily laden. Along the way, we have acquired and achieved things that have influenced our way of following Jesus’ path, and on that path we have experienced much of God’s goodness. At the same time, we feel that the journey has become more and more difficult. It’s as if we have become trapped in our own church culture. Many see us as a governing church. How can we step forward onto the lighter path on which Jesus once sent his disciples? That is the challenge that this policy paper seeks to address. (Introduction of policy paper, Church 2025)
Pioneering
Dominee Fred Omvlee has stole with Twitter and Facebook logo and tablet in hand
Pioneering has become a familiar term within the Protestant Church. For the past eight years the Protestant Church has supported pioneering, in the hope that more people will discover the value of the gospel. And in the hope that pioneering will be a fresh source of inspiration for existing local parishes.
step was nationwide, in thirty places from Goes to Scheemda, to hold special days to identify support and potential for pioneering. New expressions of being church often result in embracing dozens of people rather than hundreds. This is why a paid minister for every pioneering place is unaffordable. Enthusiastic volunteers are increasingly playing a larger role in the pioneering. And so, over the years, we grow
The first generation of pioneering places started in areas where no church existed, such as in large new housing developments. In 2014, a qualitative research was undertaken into four first generation pioneering places, in order to learn future lessons.
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De Meern Eat & Music with refugees
in our learning. As we look at these developments, we see a development from classic church planting towards contextual and ‘lighter’ working methods. The aim of the Protestant Church was to have started up some one hundred new pioneering places by the end of 2016.
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Union of Welsh Independents
UWI
been trying to find our way through the wilderness in which we have found ourselves. In such a situation, it is not always easy to know in which direction to travel or which path to take. Since 2009 we have been encouraging the churches, through our Development Programme, to take stock of their situation, to draw up a development plan of their own, to continue to be missional within their communities, and to attempt to identify within their own congregations, in a period of declining numbers of ordained ministers, men and women who would be able to provide a measure of leadership and pastoral care for the future. Not only did many churches adopt this strategy in
Davies in consultation with the General Secretary, filming of the first year’s four videos began in the spring of 2016. At the same time, a small audio and video studio was constructed at UWI’s office building for future use. Dealing with the Bible and the way the Welsh Independents use and understand it, the first video was launched and introduced to the churches in September 2016. The response was as dramatic as it was unexpected; churches and congregations began using it with enthusiasm, thrilled by the high standard of the video, the excellent quality of the material it contained and the usefulness of the accompanying literature which was prepared by UWI’s two field officers. The second, third and fourth instalments were distributed between November 2016 and June 2017, and the filming of the four instalments for 2017–2018 is by now well under way.
general, several commissioned lay-leaders only to find that those undertaking the Christian leadership roles were so richly blessed by God that they went on, having received ministerial training, to be ordained into the full-time ministry. For that, we rejoice with the congregations and praise God again!
It is believed that close to half the UWI churches are by now making use of The Way, while it is known that it is also being used by many churches and groups in other denominations. Because of the interest shown in the project, UWI’s Executive decided in April 2017 that the whole series of 16 videos should be subtitled in English and made available on YouTube. The first two are currently available for downloading at http://www.annibynwyr.org/y-ffordd-english/ and videos 3 and 4 are due to appear shortly.
Building on the foundation laid through the Development Programme, UWI has now moved on to a new project known as Y Ffordd (The Way), a four-year video-based course designed and intended to nurture faith and confidence within congregations to enable them to engage in a meaningful way in outreach, and become missional congregations once again.
As it seems that The Way has struck a chord within the Welsh Independent churches, UWI is now eager to develop its use of technology as a
With resources provided by CWM, UWI’s Londonbased churches and UWI itself, and a course outline provided by the Reverend Dr. Noel A.
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Way
The
United Reformed Church
Introduction
Brief history
URC
Looking to the future
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
So in this place, and in quite difficult days, we speak of a God who shared the tangles and dust of human living, who died for and among the failures of our world, and who spoke back to death from an empty tomb. That’s good news worth telling and following, in every age and place.
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Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa (CCCAS) Congregational Christian Church in Samoa (CCCS) Congregational Union of New Zealand (CUNZ) Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu (EKT) Kiribati Uniting Church (KUC) Maohi Protestant Church (MPC) Nauru Congregational Church (NCC) Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) United Church in Papua New Guinea (UCPNG) United Church in Solomon Islands (UCSI)
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Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa
Brief history
O le taipisia a nu'u malol
fanua ma eleele2 Missio Dei,
CCCAS Affiliation with CWM
Mission enabler (personal statement by Peseta Tialuga Seloti)
CWM missionaries at CCCAS
Sundays with CWM 2016
.
Congregational Christian Church in Samoa
Introduction Brief history
CCCS
Mission programmes/ ministries of CCCS
Prayer requests
Looking to the future
Congregational Union of New Zealand
Brief history
Vision and mission
CUNZ
Looking to the future
Sundays with CWM, Walking with God, 2016 CWM Prayer Book, October–December 2014
Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu
Introduction A brief history of the early accounts of the LMS mission arrangement to further its field work to the part of the world in the southern hemisphere called the Pacific Ocean. Some historians use the word Oceania for a multitude of large and small islands scattered across the aqua continent, with their unique variations.
History The Christian mission trend in the Pacific began in the nineteenth century under the auspices of foreign mission. It all began in Europe in the eighteenth century, when the world was informed of the vast ocean that had been discovered by European explorers then. The world’s most famous seafarers around this period were Captain James Cook and William Bligh, both from England. These seafarers had a fair knowledge of the physical features of the Pacific Ocean and its islands, and the character and history of its people (Alexander 1895, 17). So, the availability of these historical evidence on the various genres of the Pacific context gives the privilege of having a better idea of the mission stimulus in a new environment, and with that enthusiasm in mission, the flight to the Pacific became a reality.
First Missionary Strategic Mission Framework in the Pacific News about the islands of the South Seas spread over Europe, which were made known by the greatest navigators of the 18th century, who explored the Pacific Oceans. Captain James Cook and William Bligh, reached and engaged with the people of the Pacific, and assisted in the mission interest in the Pacific. William Carey came with a sense of achieving mission goals through collaborative efforts of Christian churches. A delegation for mission enterprise to the Pacific was formed. Among the ordained ministers there were others with different skills to carry out their work in alignment with the mission strategies. In this aspect of choice, it was obvious what Horne described as “the advice of the L.M.S was asked and cordially tendered and active help was given in obtaining missionaries from Germany for the former Society” (1904, 19). Transportation means were one significant factor to achieve this goal, and therefore the ship Duff was purchased for £4,800 by the Society, and became their absolute property (Horne 1904, 20). The preparation of the Duff voyage was fully furnished with all the required foodstuff and materials necessary to sustain the mission life in the field. The supplies were from the free will of the people (Horne
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EKT
LMS mission expansion in the Pacific
Tuvaluan in regional mission institutions for mission field
The Covenant Missionaries in the Pacific
Makers:
Islander
The church of today
Mission Challenging Culture, Tradition and Beliefs
History
Tuvalu A
Conclusion
The Islands of the Pacific from the Old to the New: A Compendious Sketch of Mission in the Pacific.
The Pacific Islands: At the Beginning of the 21st Century, Religion Culture Society.
Origins in Oceania
To Live Among the Stars: Christian
The Story of the L.M.S.
The Gales of Change: Responding to a Shifting Missionary Context.
Covenant Makers,
The
The Covenant Makers,
Tuvalu A History,
Kiribati Uniting Church
Mission progress
KUC
Youth and women’s programme
Future plans and prayer requests
Maohi Protestant Church
The MPC logo is about creation: Land Sea Sky
The vision
The Maohi Protestant Church (MPC) in numbers
The mission
On-going programme and services
MPC
Resolutions
Nauru Congregational Church
Introduction
Brief history Affiliation with CWM
Star
Morning
NCC
Team visit
Challenges Active partnership – CWM church
Way forward – looking to the future Mission programmes
Concerns for the church and society
Prayer of concern
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Introduction and history
Merchant
Begnal
The present
PCANZ more of their time into youth, children and pastoral care.
Our relationship with CWM In 1967 a service marked an act of commitment by five churches – Associated Churches of Christ, Anglican, Congregational Union, Methodist and Presbyterian. A plan for union was formed but did not gain sufficient support to enable it to proceed. Various other attempts and votes for some sort of structural union were made over the years but this was never acceptable. In 1969, 28 ministers of the Congregational Union voted to join the Presbyterian Church. All Pacific Island congregations from the Congregational Union joined. The existing Congregational Union was shattered. For the PCANZ, two significant aspects of this were – we joined Council for World Mission (CWM) and the PCANZ now had a Pacific Island identity. A significant contribution to the relationship between CWM and PCANZ was the financial support to establish Kids Friendly, an initiative that recognises the vital contribution children and families make to healthy congregations and aims to equip churches to intentionally minister to children and families.
Opening services of our Assembly in 2016
one of our 375 parishes. About 10% of the population goes to church on any given Sunday, and about 20% at least once a month, and we estimate that about 9% of worshippers are at a Presbyterian or Union parish. Most Presbyterian parishes are small – about two-thirds of parishes have less than 75 at worship. But most people belong to large parishes. Almost three-quarters of us worship with more than 100 others and almost one-third with more than 200. The average parish had 83 people at worship. In 1951 it had 308. The drop in the number of times people go to church has been a significant additional reason why congregations are smaller. In 1961 the average person on the roll attended church 6.3 times a month, but by 2013 average attendance was 3 times a month, and declining further. Parishes of all sizes grow and decline. A study of parishes shows large parishes are more likely to grow. Parishes with under 25 at worship have little likelihood of growing.
Our life Our Council of Assembly has worked on a Strategic Directions Paper to help us focus on the challenges. As a first step it reaffirmed Mission of the PCANZ under the five faces of mission: The PCANZ believes it is called by God to work with others to make Jesus Christ known:
All parishes added and lost members on the roll, but the middle-size parishes had the most pronounced losses. This was because they had a higher proportion of people who were removed because they had died. Only parishes between 200 and 300 at worship had an overall increase in their roll.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Parishes have two resources that make a difference – people and financial resources. While churches of all sizes have about the same number of people in leadership as a ratio of those attending worship, larger parishes have more hours particularly of voluntary leadership. This means they are able to undertake a wider range of activities. As parishes increase in size they put
Through proclamation of the gospel Through the nurture and teaching of people in the Christian faith Through response to human need in loving service Through seeking to transform society Through the care of creation
From there was identified key directions:
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Mission clarity Mission effectiveness and accountability Leadership Being one body
Delegating authority Financial implications
Connect 2017 – our national youth event
their relationship with God
A step in this was to review and rework our healthy congregation model and this was reaffirmed by our assembly last year. It affirms that a healthy congregation consist of four sets of relationships: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Consistently those attending speak and demonstrate how they felt better equipped because of attending Connect; made positive new connections who can further encourage and had grown in faith over the weekend.
With God With the wider environment With the wider church Within its own life
Going further – National Young Discipleship Camp for 18 to 30 years old. Aims:
Two aspects of our life together Presbyterian Youth Ministry (PYM) Connect is the flagship youth ministry training event for PCANZ. Connect is aimed at youth leaders, elders and ministers who are working with young people. It sees over 200 participants over a weekend and includes 4 keynotes, a choice of 30 workshops, Ted Talks, spiritual direction, and presbytery parties.
For young adults to grow in their faith by exploring their place in God’s unfolding story.
For young adults to explore rhythms and spiritual practices that will keep their life with Christ truly alive,
For young adults to form life-giving friendships with other young adults who are walking the same path
Again, those attending speak of how pivotal this is in their faith journey
Aims:
Adults
To train and resource youth leaders To inspire and equip youth leaders to work with the tremendous assets located within a young person’s whanau (community) To create and maintain relationships between Presbyterian youth leaders To challenge and inspire youth leaders in
Press go Press Go works with congregations to access missional capacity and work with them to reimagine their present and future. Three key aspects: 1.
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Inspiring mission
2.
Telling stories of best practice; what is working and is not Communicating inspiring mission ventures to the wider church Facilitating gatherings to equip missional leaders
Building capacity
Providing core professional assistance to congregations interested in considering their future, including assistance to develop a vision for the future; a strategy for achieving that vision; and helping find the skills congregations need to implement it. 3.
Seed funding Enabling the church to be at the forefront of innovative mission is not just about adding numbers to our existing congregations. It includes creating new communities of faith for those who don’t go to church.
Our challenges
Multicultural incorporation – at all levels Investing and growing capacity of missional leadership – both lay and ordained Earthquake building resilience issues – moving to develop a theology of people on the move with God, rather than settled church Gospel engagement with the younger generation(s) – move beyond the programmatic formula to holistic engagement Mission-focused strategy – listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and moving with God
Looking to the future As we reflect on these, we want to state some key theological points:
The triune God is the agent of mission and transformation, not the church. The future of the PCANZ will rely as much on a willingness to be re-evangelised with the gospel of Jesus Christ as it will on our appropriation of organisational principles and church growth strategies. Decisions that are informed by the logic of the cross may not be the same as those that are informed by sociological projections and cost-benefit analyses. The Missio Dei is as messy and unpredictable as it is expansive. Strategic
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thinking must be harnessed to prayerful discernment lest we fail to hear what the Spirit is saying to us. Reforming and renewing the PCANZ for mission should not be reduced to an endless diet of change and innovation and programmes. The ongoing need to have confidence that we are resurrection people, empowered by the Spirit to be bearers and sharers of the good news.
The United Church in Papua New Guinea
We are known for
Notable contributions to/from CWM
Interesting facts
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
Brief history
UCPNG Concerns for the church and society
Prayer requests
Challenges
Future plans
United Church in the Solomon Islands
Introduction
UCSI
Brief history
Mission programmes/ ministries of the church
Challenges
Prayer requests
Sundays with CWM, Working and Waiting with God, 2015 CWM Prayer Book, Pray without Ceasing, October–December 2014
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Church of Bangladesh (COB) Church of North India (CNI) Church of South India (CSI) Presbyterian Church of India (PCI)
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Church of Bangladesh
Interesting facts
Brief history
COB Active partnerships with CWM member churches
Mission programmes / ministries of the church
Notable contributions to/from CWM
Future plans
Success stories
Concerns for church and society
Challenges
Prayer Requests
Church of North India Mission Statement
Mission programmes / ministries of the church
Brief history
CNI
Plans
Prayer Requests
Challenges
Church of South India
Introduction Biggest Protestant church in India, Missional United and uniting Church on a pilgrim journey from past 70 years with the motto: That they all may be one. A National Church, very ecumenical, right from its inception. The church was born in the year 1947, the same year India attained Independence. A church which stood as a model for Ecumenism to the Global Church. Five southern states of India, four million believers, 15,000 congregations, 3,300 pastors, 3,000 missionaries. Around 2,200 Educational Institutions, around 175 projects of Child Care, 67 Hospitals and Clinics. Brief history Five States of South India, Diaspora Churches in USA, United Arab Emirates, East Asia and Australia and so on. The Church of South India is the result of the union of churches of varying traditions Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed. It was inaugurated in September 1947, after protracted negotiation among the churches concerned. Discussions concerning union had begun at a conference at Tranquebar (now Tarangambadi) in
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1919, and in 1947, after India attained independence, the union was completed. The Church of South India has its own Book of Common Worship and a Common Lectionary for Communion of Churches in India, both of which draw from several denominational sources. The union, especially in its reconciliation of the Anglican doctrine of apostolic succession with the views of other denominations, historical Episcopate in a constitutional form, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement. On 27th September 1947, the General council of Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, General Assembly of South India United Church (LMS and Presbyterian traditions) and South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church joined together to from the CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA as the largest united national church in India. The continued growth has been further enriched with the joining of the churches of Basel Mission and the Churches of SPG tradition of Nandyal. A unique church was born out of the blending of the Episcopal and non-Episcopal traditions as a gift of God to the people of India and as a visible sign of the ecclesiastical unity for the universal church. The CSI is a united and uniting church moving forward with a dynamic vision for The Communion of Churches in India. The Church of South India,
CSI Mission programmes/ ministries of the Church
Missio Dei
Notable contributions to/from CWM
CSI-SEVA (Social Empowerment: Vision in Action; Department of Diaconal Concerns)
Department of Youth:
Women’s Fellowship
Child Care Ministry:
Board of Child Care
Future plans
Dalit and Adivasi Concerns Department:
Concerns for church and society
Prayer requests Ecological Department
Presbyterian Church of India
Brief history
Structure (hierarchy) of the General Assembly of the PCI
Constituents of the General Assembly
PCI Mission statement
Statistics of the PCI (as in April 2017)
Mission programmes/ ministries of the Church
Activities
Priorities
Mission
Projects
Partner churches and councils Churches
Presbyterian Church of Wales Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Presbyterian Church of USA Presbyterian Church of Korea Protestant Church in the Netherlands Uniting Church in Australia Presbyterian Church in Singapore
Councils
Council for World Mission (CWM) World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) Christian Institute for the Studies of Religion and Society (CISRS) Oikocredit
Office Bearers of the General Assembly 2016–2018 Moderator Moderator Elect Secretary (Sr.) Secretary (Jr.) Treasurer Statistician
: Rev. Laldawngliana : Rev. Lalramliana Pachuau : Rev. B.B. Lamin : Rev. H.L. Myrsing : Rev. H.M. Wahlang : Rev. Lalsangloma Thiaite
Administrative Secretaries Rev. V.L. Luaia Hranleh (Sr.) (Mizoram Synod) Rev. G.S. Lyttan (KJP Synod Mihngi) Rev. Rolianthanga Lalsim (Biateram Synod)
REV. LALDAWNGLIANA, MODERATOR, PCI
REV. V.L. LUAIA HRANLEH, Sr. ADMINISTRATIVE SECY
REV. ROLIANTHANGA LALSIM Sr. ADMINISTRATIVE SECY REV. G.S. LYTTAN ADMINISTRATIVE SECY
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114 Lavender Street, #12-01 CT Hub 2, Singapore 338729 T (65) 6887 3400 F (65) 6235 7760 www.cwmission.org UEN: 201206146Z