The Meaning of Mission

Christina Berry

Executive Presbyter

Dear friends,

I’m reflecting a lot lately on the meaning of mission. Remember when you were writing a topical report in elementary school? How you’d start with “Webster’s dictionary defines….” I am going to do that now – with definitions of mission, and then talk about the meaning of mission. The dictionary definition of “mission” is

1. An important assignment.

2. The vocation or calling of a religious organization, especially a Christian one, to go out into the world and spread its faith.

3. A strongly felt aim, ambition, or calling.

In our work in the church, we claim all three definitions. We believe that we are called to go out into the world on an important assignment. Our mission is strongly felt, because we know that it comes from God, as expressed in the words of Jesus to “go into all the world and make disciples of all nations…” By any definition this is who we are and what we do.

But often, when the word comes up in Presbytery conversations, “mission” is narrowly defined and something we do or give or supply to someone else, usually someone far away or outside the church walls. Many of us grew up with the understanding that “mission giving” was money going far away across the ocean. That’s a pretty limiting way to consider God’s mission in the world. That’s why we’ve changed the name of “shared mission” giving in the Presbytery of Southern Kansas to “ministry partnership” giving. When we ask you to support the Presbytery with your pledges beyond per capita, it is to support the many activities of the Presbytery to fulfill God’s calling to us. So let’s try three other definitions!

1. An important activity that connects people and churches for learning, encouragement, worship, and sharing.

2. The vocation of a congregation, the Presbytery, and the Synod to do specialized work in connecting congregations, supporting leaders, encouraging innovation, helping our communities, and sharing the good news.

3. A compelling command from Jesus.

Another way to say this is that our Presbytery doesn’t just have a mission committee, our Presbytery itself is a mission. Your church may have a mission like a food pantry or kids’ program, or assistance program; but your church is a mission, too. And just like your congregation needs members to give, the Presbytery needs the financial support of all our member congregations. We share those resources with the Synod and the General Assembly, so that together we can:

1. Identify, nurture, and develop congregational leaders through elder training, the Commissioned Ruling Elder program, and preparation for ministry of those who are called to be Teaching Elders.

2. Support and encourage existing leadership with educational programs, fellowship events, and regular personal contact. This includes connecting people with one another and with resources that will help them pursue their own missions.

3. Connect church leaders to one another, churches to other churches, and our Presbytery to other denominations, establishing partnerships and alliances to fulfill God’s calling.

4. Organize the churches of the region for sharing together in mission, worship, service and learning.

One of my colleagues says that the role of a Presbytery is to “nurture, guide, and govern.” He says nurturing and guiding are where we put our energy, and when things go wrong, when we must, we govern. I like that approach; I accepted this calling, as did my colleagues who work for the Presbytery, because I feel called to offer my gifts to you in ways that will nurture and guide you to deeper faith, more active ministry, and joyful discipleship of Jesus. Sometimes, that means worshiping and preaching together with you. Sometimes, it means helping with funding to congregations for their local missions. Sometimes it means long conversations with pastors or those preparing for leadership. And sometimes it means repeatedly plowing through long documents like the Manual of Operations of the Presbytery, deleting commas and moving text, so that it accurately reflects who we are and what we do. (For the record, that last one is not my favorite part of the work!)

Friends, as Catherine often says, “WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE!” Thank you for your faithfulness in responding to this important assignment, our vocation, to make disciples and share the love of God in our communities and across the Presbytery and beyond. I’m always glad to come and worship with you, to talk more about the work we do, or to share in your prayer concerns. Give me a call or send an email to Christina@pbysk.org

Grace and Peace,

Christina