Missional Review Update

The Murray River mouth is one of the more dramatic places in South Australia to consider transitions. Upstream floods create new channels, while drought increases pressure on fish and migratory wading birds flying in from Alaska. Those living near the river mouth and close to the Coorong know things constantly change.

Aware of constant change, the Mission and Leadership Development Board has commissioned a Missional Review of Needs and Opportunities. The review seeks to clarify missional priorities, develop creative options and to identify threats, and is being undertaken by AngelWings Ltd, a New Zealand organisation. The three researchers – Steve Taylor, Lynne Taylor and Kayli Taylor - bring different professional skills to the mix.

They also share experience having lived in Adelaide and been among the Uniting Church in South Australia between 2010 and 2015. One special family memory was watching Narrandjerri elder Uncle Tom Trevorrow dig into the sand at the Murray Mouth. The water Uncle Tom offered was fresh, not salted. It was a powerful experience of how water exists in surprising places.

Those serving in Christian ministry today face shifting pressures and new opportunities in offering Christ’s Living Waters (John 4). The global pandemic has opened new channels for connection yet generated increased pressures on local communities seeking to nurture faith and express God’s love.

By AngelWings Ltd

Over thirteen weeks between May and July, the review will seek to understand these needs and opportunities. There will be many different ways to engage:

Lunchtime conversations during the Synod meeting, 22nd-24th June

Listening through focus groups with Presbyteries and Synod

1:1 conversations with existing Mission Resourcing staff

Investigating new approaches to mission resourcing beyond South Australia

A Synod-wide online survey of missional needs

An online survey of how Ministers stay up-to-date in mission thinking

A snapshot of resourcing being currently promoted in local congregations.

To receive weekly updates, please connect to the online website located at: https://tinyurl.com/RM2023Updates

The researchers are thankful to those who have offered feedback and welcome further engagement.