“Mission First!” Disciples have said for over two years. Through the Mission First process, a shared mission priority is emerging calling the church to imagine partnering in mission with all ages – especially the young – in our local and global communities. Could your congregation commit to walk alongside neighborhood schoolchildren as mentors and classroom readers? Could your ministry be more intentional in involving all generations of adults in decisions and designs of new programs? Could you find ways to work against the social structures that make life a struggle for youth? The possibilities are endless, and the partnership potential is immense.
Still in draft form (comments welcome) the shared mission priority discerned through the Mission First process is this: God calls us to work with and for children, youth and young adults so together we may share and receive the good news of Jesus Christ by creating communities of healing, learning and transformation.
- The General Board will meet in April 2018 to evaluate the process and determine next steps.
- The Mission Council will meet (providing funding can be identified) to monitor the progress toward implementing our shared priority.
- The Administrative Committee will continue to function as the Governing Board for the pilot period.
- The Governance Committee of the General Board will write proposed Standing Rules for the Mission Council and Governance Board for adoption by their respective bodies in 2018 and changes to The Design for adoption by the General Assembly in 2019.