Live Out The Ancient Call
“What do we do now?” Many people are blogging, contemplating, discussing, praying, and worrying about the future of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In the wake of the 218th General Assembly, the question is timely.
The Assembly reveals a great division among Presbyterians. The division is over how we understand the revelation of God and his mission in the world. Although the division is not new, it remains a heartbreaking impediment to being salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
What is clear is that we need to start being the church we want to belong to, today. We cannot wait for others to lead the way. We cannot hope that others will serve the poor. We cannot count on others to affirm the authority of God’s Word. We cannot anticipate that others will bear witness to Jesus’ love. So, by God’s grace, we must.
As we move into the world as disciples, we cannot count on the righteousness of others. More significantly, we cannot count on our own righteousness. But we rejoice that we can depend on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Based on his call and seeking his guidance, Presbyterian Global Fellowship issues a call to action.
Some ask, “Will this course of action save the denomination?” Maybe not, but that should not be the goal. Wise Christians who composed the constitution of our church once wrote, “The Church is called to undertake this mission even at the risk of losing its life, trusting in God alone as the author and giver of life, sharing the gospel, and doing those deeds in the world that point beyond themselves to the new reality in Christ. (Book of Order G-3.0400)”
Because the Church exists for the glory of God and the sake of Christ’s mission in the world, Presbyterian Global Fellowship calls congregations in our fellowship to take immediate action - to Live Out The Ancient Call. We challenge ourselves to:
Be Outwardly Focused
In the next twelve months, PGF affiliate congregations will focus on joining with partners to send new missionaries and plant churches, both locally and globally.
For some this will be a new venture. For those seeking partners, PGF will connect congregations and individuals with groups like the Outreach Foundation and Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship. They are engaged in strategic partnership opportunities in places like Bihar, India, where a church planting and leadership development network is sharing the Gospel among India’s Dalits. There are other initiatives in places like China, Central Asia, Ethiopia and Southern Sudan.
Whether you are already working with a local and/or global mission partner or are looking for a new opportunity, all of us will actively pursue God and his mission in the world.
Presbyterian Global Fellowship is also distributing a giving primer on how to support God’s mission in the world through the PC(USA).
Be Inwardly Strong
Presbyterian Global Fellowship came into being to provide an alternative connectional identity that is theologically grounded and builds upon the Reformed theological identity of the PC(USA). Presbyterian Global Fellowship believes that the church was called into being by the mission of God for the purpose of joining God’s mission everywhere. This is true regardless of the particular culture in which the Gospel is being incarnated.
Presbyterian Global Fellowship congregations will undertake our commitment to act in ways that live into Presbyterian Global Fellowship’s theological vision and purpose. We will:
- Engage in a program of regular study in order to learn what it means to be missional.
- Undertake intentional activities each week that will help you to see the world from God’s perspective.
- Meet regularly as individuals with at least two other people to explore what it means to participate in God’s mission.
- Work to shape the missional identity of your own families and congregation.
As we Live Out The Ancient Call and make these commitments to join Christ where he is already at work in the world, we will strive to be:
- Christ-centered. We will express the fullness of the Gospel through proclamation, acts of compassion, and work for justice.
- Collaborative. We will connect wherever possible with partners both within and outside of the PC(USA).
- Partner-focused. We will draw upon strong, existing relationships with Presbyterian global partners.
- Reciprocal. We will honor the gifts of the global body of Christ, seeking humbly to learn and receive from those with whom we engage and serve.
- Accountable and transparent. We commit to being faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us by submitting to the highest ethical standards for receiving gifts to this shared mission.
- Exponential. We will reach these goals with new financial and relational commitments, not diverting funds from work that we are already supporting.
What if Presbyterian Global Fellowship affiliate congregations joined together in a local and global movement to be the church by focusing on serving others? What if Presbyterian Global Fellowship affiliate congregations sent 5 new missionaries, planted 50 new churches, trained 500 new evangelists and pastors, and welcomed 500 new Presbyterian Global Fellowship congregations worldwide this year? How would God move in our church and in the lives of his children if we did this together?
A conviction to move together out into the world may be something far more or different than we can imagine today. We can only commit to actively pursuing God and his mission. Presbyterian Global Fellowship will not send missionaries or plant churches. Congregations will do this, based on existing regional networks and new ones brought together through our fellowship. Presbyterian Global Fellowship will lead, encourage, connect, and support congregations who want to step out in faith - together - to serve and be served by one another.
Right now people are suffering. The Presbyterian Foundation reports that individuals and congregations are reluctant to make contributions to Christ-centered ministries that feed, clothe, shelter, care, educate, and train the needy. Right now people wait to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. Less than 200 PC(USA) missionaries are on the field in 2008, down from nearly 2,000 fifty years ago. And too few congregations are reaching into their own communities to disclose God’s glory and grace. Presbyterians are standing on the sidelines while others are in great need of a Savior who longs to bring reconciliation, compassion and justice.. Will this be how Presbyterians are known? Will the world witness Presbyterians failing to answer Christ’s call?
We can begin today in a tangible, accountable, and measurable way by serving the world together in Jesus’ name. Live Out The Ancient Call calls together individuals and congregations to be salt and light. Let us mobilize for action.
Live out the ancient call.