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IASCOME - Travelling Together in God’s Mission

Executive Summary

2. Introduction.

This is an interim report summarising work undertaken by the 21 person Commission at its two meetings since their appointment in 2000.

3. Mandate and Summary of Action.

This summarises how the Commission has addressed the six aspects of the Mandate given to it by the Council.

4. Major Meetings held and forthcoming reports on three Conferences

  • ‘Encounters on the Road’ – Provincial Mission and Evangelism Co-ordinators Conference (Nairobi, Kenya, May 2002).  This very significant Conference, the first of its kind, highlighted a number of mission themes (e.g the significance of encounter with Islam) identified elsewhere in the Communion.  The report and recommendations of this Conference are in Appendices II and III.  The ACC is asked to support  a follow up Conference in 2004.
  • ‘Transformation and  Tradition in Global Mission’; Cyprus  12-18 February 2003
  • This will be a major gathering of representatives of voluntary and synodical mission organisations from across the Communion, the first since Brisbane 1986.
  • All-Africa HIV/AIDS Consultation; Johannesburg, August 2001.  The AIDS pandemic had been identified as one of the major mission issues facing the Communion.  A member of the Commission contributed to the planning of the Conference.  The Conference statement ‘Our Vision, Our Hope’ is in Appendix IV.

5. Tasks Remitted to IASCOME  reports on specific issues on which the Commission has been asked to comment.

  • ‘Mission 21’ – The church growth programme developed by the Scottish Episcopal Church.
  • Proposal from the GEM Network for a network of Anglican Dioceses in Global Mission.
  • NAME – a network of bishops in mission and evangelism formed at Lambeth 1998.
  • The South to South Movement – a network of representatives of Churches in the south that emerged after the Brisbane 1986 Conference.
  • The Anglican Gathering  proposed for 2008.
  • CWME – The ecumenical Commission for World Mission and Evangelism.
  • The Partners in Mission process  - IASCOME noted that new forms of associating for mission are emerging, taking over from the PIM consultation process.
  • Companion Diocesan Links – the Commission keeps a watching brief on this connections and how they can be encouraged to develop.

6. Equipping and Formation for Mission

Theological education, training and formation for mission has been long identified as a priority.  This section reviews the history of recent discussions, the remit given to the Commission, suggests ways forward and reports that comments have been made to the Primates Strategic Working Party on their initial report.  The ACC is asked to endorse the Commission’s role in its work on leadership training and formation for mission.

7. Some Areas of Concern and Continuing Work.

Six broad areas of mission are listed and interim recommendations made for consideration and comment by provinces.

  • Islam and Islamisation.  The theme of encounter with Islam (often in very difficult situations) has run through reports to the Commission of Mission and Evangelism across the Communion.  This section focuses particularly on areas of conflict and the challenge to dialogue in such contexts.  The recommendations call for gatherings of those caught up in such situations for mutual support and learning.
  • Developing Anglicanism:  A Communion in Mission.  The section suggests that Anglican identity is to be found in its calling to be a Communion in mission, in which the quality of relationships (koinonia) are key characteristics of the effectiveness the Church, the pilgrim people of God, and of its structures.  ACC is asked to affirm the Commission’s developing this thinking.
  • The Journey towards Wholeness and Fullness of Life.  Reports from around the world identify many threats to life and of the forces of death. Jesus calls us to life – but life through the cross.  The section focuses on the role of healing ministry, liturgies of healing, healing of the psyche and the soul (individual and communal) alongside programmes of peacemaking and conflict resolution.  The recommendations suggest ways the Commission and others might take these forward.
  • Mission as Justice-Making and Peace-Building.  Based on reports of the role of Anglicans in working for peace and reconciliation, the section looks at violence and the ways Christians in mission express their calling to live in opposition to a culture of violence.  The recommendations to provinces suggest ways in which justice-making and peace-building can be taken forward.
  • Money, Power and Christian Mission. Based on reports of how money and power can be used positively but can also be abused and corrupt, the section comments on four aspects of the relationship of wealth and power in the life of the Church and in Christian mission.  Recommendations to provinces highlight the importance of the Global Reporting Initiative Standard as a guide to ethical investment and address issues of corruption in the Church.
  • Evangelism.  The Commission notes that it has evangelism as a major item for its future agenda.

8. Further Discussion Areas

9. Appendices

  1. A list of members of the Commission
  2. A summary report of the Nairobi Mission and Evangelism Co-ordinators Conference
  3. Conclusions and Recommendations of that Consultation
  4. The Statement from the All Africa HIV/AIDS Conference
  5. Mission Focus Expressed by Commission Members
  6. Global Reporting Initiative
  7. Recommendations and Resolutions

 

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