Presbyterian World Mission celebrates 180 years of service

‘Mission 180’ reflects on the changing face of mission activity

April 15, 2017

To celebrate 180 years of international mission engagement, Presbyterian World Mission has been reflecting on the changes that have taken place over the years.

“Looking back 180 years, missionaries of that time had a more colonial approach to mission. God blessed that work, and the church grew tremendously,” says Rachel Yates, acting co-director for Presbyterian World Mission. “Now our mission co-workers work in partnership with those we serve based on invitation, mutuality and interdependence.”

Presbyterian World Mission co-director Tamron Keith says the significance of that “is like 180 degrees, representing a turnaround.”

We’ve had our own 180-degree change,” adds Yates, “in how we think, talk about and participate in God’s mission.”

Video URL:  https://vimeo.com/204072858

Now, working in close partnership for multi-year terms, mission co-workers strive to translate not just language but the nuance of context and culture. This helps them earn the trust of global partners and, in turn, “help Presbyterian congregations do mission more faithfully and effectively.”

Citing an example, Yates describes how Presbyterian congregations in the U.S. are “twinned” with congregations in other countries. When Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Utah went to meet with a sister congregation in Russia, the two began to talk about what their new relationship might look like.

At first, the after-dinner conversation was almost diplomatic in nature. Then one of the Russians asked, “What do you mean by this word ‘partnership’ that you keep using?”

One of the Presbyterians from the US responded by saying, “We are coming to you as Christians.”

“Suddenly it was as if a light bulb went on,” says Yates. “The Russian said, ‘Ah, and we thought you were coming as Americans.’ That’s the 180-degree switch we’re talking about.”

That example of 180-degree transformation— “Mission 180”— is deeply important to Presbyterian World Mission as it prepares to participate in God’s mission through all the changes the next 180 years might bring.

“Right now the challenge for World Mission, for our co-workers and even our congregations,” says Keith, “is to find the best ways to coordinate efforts among our global partners, so that we are providing a faithful and unified witness of Christ to the world at large.”

 Paul Seebeck, mission communications strategist, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Today’s Focus: Mission 180

Let us join in prayer for:

Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church Staff

Ralph Clingan, pastor
Dick Higgins, visitation pastor
Anne Patten, Christian education director
Barbara McConnell, music and choir director
Steve Talley, organist
Deborah Stone, organist
Amy Craig, secretary and newsletter
Chris Schleter, newsletter

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Nancy Boxman, BOP                                                                    
Debbie Braaksma, PMA         

Let us pray:

God of grace, thank you for people who inspire us. Thank you also for those who are willing to serve you despite discomfort, hunger and struggle. Please help us to risk more, to give more and to sacrifice more as we seek to follow Jesus. Amen.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Saturday, April 15, 2017, the Great Vigil of Easter (Year A)

First Reading Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Response Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26
Second Reading Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
Response Psalm 46:1-11
Third Reading Genesis 22:1-18
Response Psalm 16:1-11
Fourth Reading Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21
Response Exodus 15:1b-13, 17-18
Fifth Reading Isaiah 55:1-11
Response Isaiah 12:2-6
Sixth Reading Proverbs 8:1-8, 19-21;9:4b-6
Response Psalm 19:1-14
Seventh Reading Ezekiel 36:24-28
Repsonse Psalm 42:1-11 and 43:1-5
Eighth Reading Ezekiel 37:1-14
Response Psalm 143:1-12
Ninth Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20
Response Psalm 98:1-9
Tenth Reading Romans 6:3-11
Response Psalm 114:1-8
Gospel Matthew 28:1-10