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Engaging in God’s Mission
Welcome to MissionCrossroads of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)! With this site, the Equipping the Church for Mission Involvement (EMI) office seeks to bring Presbyterians together as branches of the same vine, connecting people with
resources and tools for engaging with each other and with God’s mission in the world.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (NRSV)
God Calls Us
Our mission is God’s mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the whole world. God invites us to collaborate with God in this mission, and calls us wherever we are, whoever we are.
"As disciples of Jesus Christ, each of us in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is sent into the world to join God’s mission. As individuals and as a church, we are called to be faithful in this discipleship. Our mission is centered in the triune God. Our mission is God-called, Christ-centered and Spirit-led. Our mission is both proclamation and service; it is the reason the church exists." -
Gathering for God’s Future, p. 1.
How Do We Engage?
When we enter into mission we cross borders - geographical, socio-economical and cultural. As Presbyterians, we cross these borders by engaging in God’s mission through partnership. In partnership, we are made one by the saving love of God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. “The ‘where’ and ‘how’ and ‘with whom’ of mission is God’s initiative, sovereign action, and redeeming grace. The message we are called to bear is the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.” We are called to bear the Good News by making disciples, demonstrating God’s love through worship, fellowship, prayer and service with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and by participating in God’s activity in the world through acts of compassion and justice.
"The practice of partnership guides our whole connectional church. It guides us
individually as members, officers, and pastors. It guides us collectively as
congregations, presbyteries, synods, General Assembly ministries, and related
institutions.
"In doing mission in partnership, we seek to be guided by certain principles:
1. Shared Grace and Thanksgiving.
2. Mutuality and Interdependence.
3. Recognition and Respect.
4. Open Dialogue and Transparency.
5. Sharing of Resources."
As partners in God’s mission, we know that God’s grace and love is made manifest to our brothers and sisters in other places where we may feel called to serve. Through the discipline of partnership, we know we must listen first and receive the rich wisdom of our brothers and sisters in these places. Through partnership, we are able to see the unique contexts from which we come as well as those of our brothers and sisters. We can recognize unhealthy dynamics of power and dependence, and enter into healthier relationships of “mutual service” and “mutual renewal”, recognizing God’s shared grace for us as equals at God’s table.
Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership.pdf
Join Us to Learn and Connect!
Use MissionCrossroads to find and share resources about mission engagement and connect with other Presbyterians who are passionate about God’s mission in the world! Send messages to other members. Enter the forum to start or reply to a discussion. Add photos and videos from a mission endeavor. We hope you will join us on MissionCrossroads to get involved and nurture our connections as Presbyterians engaged in God’s mission.