Building a culture of collaboration

I sense a growing culture of collaboration among Presbyterians involved in God’s mission around the world.  This was evident at the Mission Network Leadership Event held in late September in Louisville.

A total of 44 people from 31 mission networks gathered for the event.  Mission networks are formed by Presbyterians who come together around a particular country, region or other mission interest.  The network leaders shared with each other the wisdom they have learned from years of direct mission involvement. They also interacted with 23 PC(USA) regional liaisons and World Mission staff and discussed ideas offered by our guest speaker, Dr. Robert Priest, a professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Priest spoke about his research on short-term mission trips.

A team was created to develop a system of communication to promote more collaboration among networks. Team members will work with the recently created office for Equipping the Church for Mission Involvement.

In January a group of mission leaders from across the church met in Dallas to identify and agree on values that should characterize all PC(USA) mission work. The result was a document titled An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission. I perceive the spirit of collaboration present in Dallas has taken root and is spreading throughout our church.

— Hunter Farrell, director, World Mission