I strongly support the Mission Covenant developed by Taskforce 1 which was established to empower congregations for effective mission as part of the Directions 2012. The Covenant is Step 1 of a multi-step process to assist the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT to be intentionally missional . The aim of the Taskforce is to develop resources and strategies which can be used by the local Church. The Covenant and what will follow is part of an exciting process to assist our churches reach out to non Christians in the local community . I am sure that our Lord’s hand will be upon the work of the taskforce as the Covenant is rolled out across our Churches in the coming months.

Dr June Heinrich, Past-president and Sponsor, Directions 2012 project.

……………………………………………………………………………

I believe the idea of a covenant is excellent and I encourage you to have a good look at it, support it, and feedback your thoughts.

Rev Dr Ross Clifford, Principal, Morling College

……………………………………………………………………………

As General Secretary, sadly all too often my involvement with the local church is at a time of crisis. In such situations strained or broken relationships are typical and if you look behind them self-interest is often at the core. Taskforce One has devised a Mission Covenant that is fundamental to me as a person, and I believe to the health and vitality of our churches. If I am honest with myself, the war between my sinful nature and Jesus’ Lordship over every aspect of my life (Romans 7: 14-25) must impact my church. Christ-centred Christians result in mission shaped churches, which in turn produce more Christ-centred Christians. With so many churches in decline we can’t afford not to carefully consider adoption of this Mission Covenant.

Alan Soden – Secretary, Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT

……………………………………………………………………………

The local church is the launching pad for mission, both down our street and across the world. This is the story of the early church in Antioch noted in the book of Acts and it is the story that the Lord continues to write in our time. Global Interaction is committed to empowering Baptist communities of faith across Australia to make a difference in some hard places in the world. The experience of many churches proves that authentic engagement with global neighbours enriches our connection with unchurched people in our local communities.

I warmly commend the mission covenant to our family of churches in NSW and the ACT. This thoughtfully worded statement is a tool to help us see what is working well in mission and what needs to be nurtured more intentionally in our church. The covenant provides a powerful point of connection that will assist churches in partnering with each other and with resource groups such as Ministry Support & Development and Global Interaction. We are not alone and God has much to give to us through each other as we follow Jesus in his mission.

Rev Rob Ellis Director - Global Interaction NSW/ACT
……………………………………………………………………………

Directions 2012 Taskforce One : Empowering Congregations For Effective Mission Edit

Directions2012 is essentially about mission. The revitalization of governance structures, the focus on building healthy pastoral leadership, the re-affirmation of our Baptist identity, and the challenge to use our resources more strategically all must have at their heart one aim: to propel our movement forward in the mission of making disciples.

Within that framework, Taskforce One has the role of being a catalyst for empowerment of churches across our movement in mission. This role includes understanding the current status of mission commitment among our churches, dialoguing with pastors and leaders to determine what’s working and where our biggest challenges are. It also involves catalyzing creative thought and the sharing of mission resources, helping equip church leaders to keep Jesus’ mission agenda front and centre in our churches.

So far the taskforce’s efforts have focused in a couple of key areas. The first of these is the preparation of a new online mission initiative. www.missionone.com.au is being launched at Revive’08 as a clearinghouse for resources, stories, and ideas to be shared across our family of churches. The dream is that it will become a primary port of call for pastors and church leaders as they champion the cause of mission in their own contexts. Over time, more and varied resources and links will be added to the site, ever expanding it’s capacity as a resource for church leaders.

A key part of the website is the Mission Covenant. Currently in working document form, the Mission Covenant is a tool leaders can use to ‘take the pulse’ of mission in their own churches. It is designed also to help focus churches on what the most strategic next steps can be to move forward in the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel of Jesus in their contexts.

Beginning late this year in Sydney, All About Mission pastor/leader forums will be conducted, and will be rolled out across the state in the first half of 2009. These will be key opportunities for the dialogue and feedback described above to take place, as well as introducing church leaders to the missionone website and the covenant. The questions that will frame the feedback section of these gatherings have been developed in conjunction with the wider Directions 2012 Research process. We look forward to these forums as places where rich information will be unearthed that will assist in moving churches forward in mission, and also opportunities to encourage and challenge church leaders with respect to mission.

It is anticipated that as the All About Mission gatherings take place, the taskforce will use the information gleaned to help determine its strategic plan for the remainder of the Directions 2012 process.

The taskforce currently consists of 10 members, a number of whom also serve on the Evangelism and Church Growth Taskforce (ECDT). Already significant voluntary time has been committed by various members, for which sincere thanks is due. It is exciting to work with a bunch of enthusiastic and mission-focused leaders whose sole reason for serving on the taskforce is to encourage and resource our churches in the mission of Christ in the world.

We look forward to how God will continue to use this process as Taskforce One remains committed and engaged in the process of empowering congregations for effective mission right through to 2012.

Rev Steve Bartlett

Taskforce Chair

We have just added a whole list of new Mission Tools under the research section. Make sure you check them out and pass them on to your leaders and church members.

We’ve just added some new resources on playgroup ministries - check out our resource page!