How are you enjoying the arrival of spring around you? Have you had the chance to appreciate the new life breaking through?
I am truly grateful for a few weeks during which our family could relax during our annual leave at Takayama, a unique retreat place for (mostly) missionaries from all across the globe. We were able to find a good balance between resting on our own and enjoying warm fellowship in-between. Now a busy new season lies ahead of us, and we have already started with renewed energy. The month of September brings several exciting and important meetings and ministry opportunities. Your prayers and support are crucial, which is why I share more details below.
Why Global Missions?
The focus of this newsletter is to share more about why every local congregation exists not only for self-preservation, but for participation in God’s global mission. This truth is especially relevant for the Dutch Reformed Church (NG Kerk) in South Africa, which must rediscover and reaffirm its sent calling—not only locally, but also globally. Yet, it is just as relevant to any other church in any other context.
Our global involvement gives us the opportunity to appreciate the depth, diversity, and beauty of people and cultures in God’s world, and to be a blessing to them. World mission is not something on the outer edge of the circle of ministries that is left to mission “specialists.” It belongs at the core of every local congregation, because it represents the heart of God and the very reason for the church’s existence. Global missions are not solely designated to churches’ mission committees or only special members can get involved in. It is the DNA of the church.
Perhaps your mind switches off when you hear about this kind of topic. I want to invite you to think again, with an open mind, about why you are part of a local congregation. In this video I explain more. Please watch it, if you understand Afrikaans. If not, read the script (download the PDF text here) and discuss it with the leaders in your church.
New Missionaries and a Waiting Nation
As a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church, and before that as a project manager at Communitas (church research and renewal hub at Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology), I helped establish and develop the Southern African Partnership of Missional Churches, in the early 2000s. Years later this partnership encouraged church leadership to re-evaluate the foundations of the church and to develop a missional focus (even reformulating core parts of its church polity in line with this paradigm shift). I believe this has been a very constructive development.
One disadvantage, however, is that it led to an overemphasis—and sometimes even a completely one-sided focus—on local church and witness ministries. Although missio Dei theology (God’s sending/mission) has the whole world in view, the conversation about missional church life in parts of the West, including South Africa, has in some cases focused almost exclusively on what local congregations do in their immediate surroundings.
This local focus (ironically) disconnects many (Dutch Reformed and other) congregations—and discussions about missio Dei and missional theology in the broader church—from global missions and from global developments in the wider body of Christ. My sense is that a broader awareness is often lacking.
I have a long list of reasons why I am convinced of the importance of Global Missions. Take a look at the video and join the conversation! After all, we are co-workers in God’s kingdom.
Peace and Grace, in Christ.
Stéphan
(also on behalf of Carina and fellow mission partners Tobie and Annalie de Wet)
