CHURCH MISSION SOCIETY BELIEVES THAT ALL OF GOD’S PEOPLE ARE CALLED TO JOIN IN GOD’S MISSION: TO BRING CHALLENGE, CHANGE, HOPE AND FREEDOM TO OUR WORLD. AS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE IN MISSION, WE WANT TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE BE SET FREE TO PUT THIS CALL Community Handbook 2017 INTO ACTION – WHETHER THAT MEANS GOING OVERSEAS OR OVER THE ROAD.

Church Mission Society, Watlington Road, Oxford, OX4 6BZ

T: +44 (0)1865 787400 E: [email protected]

churchmissionsociety.org /churchmissionsociety @cmsmission

Church Mission Society is a mission community acknowledged by the Church of . Registered in England and The call in action Wales, charity number 1131655, company number 6985330.

1 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG As Christian people we are a sent people. The first people Jesus sent in mission were 1. WELCOME an inauspicious bunch, huddled together behind barred and bolted doors. But their TO THE fear was no obstacle to Jesus’ purposes for them. He gives them Philip, centre, at a mission training event his peace, he shares COMMUNITY in whatever your particular call his Spirit with them – may be: whether that be to your and he sends them. next-door neighbour or to your And the manner of his sending of neighbours on the other side of the them is special: “As the Father has world. And I hope this community sent me, even so I am sending you.” handbook will help resource you to These first Christians are sent just live your life of mission, knowing as the Father had sent the Son, and that you do not do so alone. You Jesus came and stood among in the power of his Holy Spirit. As do so with brothers and sisters Christian people today we too are a the whole world over. With them them and said to them, “Peace be sent people: caught up together in you too are sent, just as Jesus was: with you.” When he had said this, the mission purposes of God who is by the Father, in the power of the he showed them his hands and his Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Spirit, and for his glory. side... Jesus said to them again, Church Mission Society is a So may our God bless you and make community of people who want you a blessing in his mission. “Peace be with you. As the Father to take seriously our nature as With my love in Christ a sent people. CMS’s vision is to has sent me, even so I am sending see all God’s people engaged in you.” And when he had said this, God’s mission, bringing challenge, he breathed on them and said to change, hope and freedom to the them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” world. That process starts with us, and with our being sent in mission. Canon John 20:19-22 My hope and prayer is that as a Executive Leader, member of the CMS community you will feel supported and valued Church Mission Society

3 COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 3 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 4 Introduction people of faith, including William Throughout Christian history, from Wilberforce and , the sending of Paul and Barnabas worked together to abolish the slave from the church in Antioch trade; they fought for the rights of 2. THE onwards, apostolic movements oppressed people at home and they have been vital for the spread of launched out on dangerous seas to the gospel. Thus bands of Celtic share Jesus with the world. So began monks, the peregrinati, in the so- the mission movement we know CHURCH called Dark Ages, the Franciscans, and love today. the Jesuits, the Moravians and the Church Mission Society has been a Methodists have all been essential community committed to mission for the advance of the kingdom of from our inception. The story of God. Indeed there has never been the Sect and Church MISSION a significant advance in mission Society, which they without the involvement of such established, is a classic example of mission movements. community giving birth to a mission Historically these “two structures of movement. Our identity has always SOCIETY God’s redemptive mission” (Ralph been that of a community. D Winter 1973) – the local church and the apostolic movement – have “[Church Mission Society] was played different but complementary a society not formed for itself, STORY roles in mission. but formed for the sake of others, and formed indeed for The Church Mission the sake of the Lord, to love Society Community and to serve his world.” In the turbulent late 18th century, Philip Mounstephen, a group of Christians known as the executive leader “The missionary societies, like the Eclectic Society began meeting together to answer the question: Over the years the CMS community religious orders, are a witness to “How can we effectively share has grown. Ruanda Mission, later Jesus today?” It was at one of these known as Mid-Africa Ministry (and the fact that in the exchanges of gatherings, on 12 April 1799, which had always been associated the Spirit there is no substitute for that the Society for Missions to with CMS), was completely Africa and the East was born. In incorporated within CMS in 2002. a service that is deeply personal.” 1812 the name was changed to With it, it brought the particular Church Missionary Society, before flavour and spiritual passion of the Max Warren, eventually taking the name we have East African Revival. In 2010 South The Missionary Task of the Church,1944 today. In the early years, this new American Mission Society (SAMS) society was supported by a group became a part of CMS, giving us a of Christians referred to as the truly global scope. The enduring Clapham Sect. These passionate legacy and commitment of SAMS

COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 5 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 6 has been a great gift to us. Mission remains our calling whether it is As a community, it is God’s mission people and that is infectious. I have That commitment is exemplified by the with people in far off lands or among our that is our passion. Our common learned so much about mission, sacrifice of Captain Allen Gardiner, who closest neighbours. commitment is: about God, about the world, about starved to death on a beach in Tierra del myself. I have been inspired by so to participate in mission Fuego, in an attempt to bring the gospel „„ many people I have met and in to the indigenous people of the region. It „„to learn from mission many ways I have found a home was his death that provided the impetus WHO ARE WE? OUR base.” to pray for mission for the founding of SAMS. COMMUNITY VISION „„ Jonny Baker, In 2008 our history and nature as AND IDENTITY This may be made possible in many director of mission education a mission community was officially ways: in local groups, through forums recognised by the wider church when we What do we want to see? with particular emphases, through “Being part of CMS feels more became an Acknowledged Community of social media and publications, through like being part of a community or Our vision is to see all God’s people the . advocacy and campaigns. Some of these even a family. We love being part engaged in God’s mission, bringing will be organised centrally via CMS staff, challenge, change, hope and freedom to of something rooted, redemptive, Joining the community but overall the community is centrally eye opening, world changing, the world. resourced rather than centrally led. Each All community members make the community building, boundary As we join in God’s mission, through member is encouraged to work out a following affirmation: pushing, risk taking, faith Jesus, and in the power of the Spirit we particular expression of their mission informing.” calling, singly or with others, wherever “I’m a member of the CMS mission see that: Anna and Chris Hembury, community because I believe God is still God may have called them to be. mission partners in Hull working in our world and I want to be the love of Christ renews „„ Like all communities we need leadership, part of this. I want my life to be about people and places to keep us true to our calling and our mission and I know that mission isn’t Our core values pioneering leaders forge new vision. And it is important that our someone else’s job – it’s mine. I want „„ paths of transformation leadership is committed to listening to Pioneering: we try new things, to live for Jesus daily and I realise I need „„ the whole community. Our executive ask questions, cross boundaries fuel for this journey. As a member of people on the margins flourish „„ leader, who in turn is held accountable the CMS mission community I desire to Evangelistic: we share Jesus in the healing of creation begins by the Church Mission Society trustees „„ help my local Christian community keep „„ word and action mission a priority. I also wish to join other (who are community members) holds As members of the community we work Relational: we get alongside CMS members in regularly renewing my that leadership. The community also has „„ and pray together to see this vision people, becoming a genuine part mind and spirit and my commitment to an episcopal visitor who is appointed by fulfilled. of the communities where we mission.” the trustees with the agreement of our What does this vision patron, the Archbishop of Canterbury. find ourselves Some members of the community will Faithful: where others have express that commitment through look like in practice? “I’m a member of Church Mission „„ left or given up, we remain service as mission partners, or as We are a community of people set free to Society because I want to change committed for the long-haul mission associates, local partners follow God’s call in mission. We believe the world and meet and collaborate or short-termers (CMS’s people in that all of God’s people are called to join with others who want to change mission programmes). Most will not. It in God’s mission, whether that means the world. CMS seems full of this As a mission community, and in the is membership of the community that going overseas or over the road, and we kind of people! Their motivation fulfilment of our vision, God calls us to primarily marks us out as being part of want to help set other people free to put comes from their love for Jesus, be such people. We commit ourselves to Church Mission Society. their call into action. love for the world and love for live by these values.

7 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 8 What do we do? principles of the community as Our community calling developed by , the first Our call is to see people set free chair of CMS (paraphrased here): “Being part of this community of to play their part in the mission of God. „„Follow God’s lead mission has been vital, in both Put prayer first, money second God calls people, both individually „„ senses of the word. In the times and together, to engage in his „„Success depends on the mission. Our focus is to see both quality of the people when things haven’t worked the individual disciples and communities answering the call of God way I expected, it has reminded me of disciples set free to play their part „„Begin humbly and on a small in the mission of God. A third priority scale expresses our desire as a community to start simply, to wait and to take Rely on the Spirit of God to be as effective as we can be in „„ delivering the first two, putting our small but significant steps with call into action. Stewardship and giving God. It has challenged me to wrap Throughout scripture we see Thus as a community we will work constant themes of how those who to set people free to play their part everything I do in prayer – in simple consider themselves people of God in the mission of God by: and followers of Christ need to conversation with God. Listening to take very seriously the stewardship raising disciples in mission „„ of the resources which have been the many stories of mission – the „„partnering churches in entrusted to them. mission As part of this we have a hope, and successes and the struggles – I’ve „„maximising our effectiveness expectation, that all community in mission members take their giving seriously learned that risk is something to be and prayerfully, full of gratitude for embraced, that stepping out into “Church Mission Society all they have been given themselves. understands mission – that we We would also encourage all what feel like scary places with God are all called to be witnesses to community members to consider the good news, and that the way making gifts to Church Mission is actually life giving and wonderful. we are called to witness may be Society as part of this commitment. different from the way many others Regular, unallocated gifts to Church But, it has also taught me that I may expect – and celebrates, Mission Society have enabled us all encourages and trains people to to engage with innovative and risky can’t do these things alone, I need pursue these God-given vocations.” mission initiatives over many years. Peter Hemming – chair of the To give online go here: others, I need community.” Yorkshire CMS group churchmissionsociety.org/give Mark Berry – community mission mobiliser or call 01865 787489 In all of the above we will seek to be faithful to the foundational

9 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 10 I was born in Yorkshire and I have what we have come to know as a lived in Israel/Palestine, , paradigm shift, in . Kenya and Britain. But I am not And yet, decades later, while more global in that all-encompassing than half the world’s Christians sense and I have never met live in the global south, we still find anyone who is. By the same token, ourselves in a church which often I suspect there is no such thing appears unable or unwilling to hear as global theology for mission. and learn from a truly worldwide 3. THEOLOGY Mission is always lived out in a church. place, a locality, a community. But If not a global theology for mission I am also deeply aware that living then, what sort of theology are we in different parts of the world, looking for? Lamin Sanneh draws a and listening today to the voices OF MISSION: helpful distinction between global of Christians across the globe, and world Christianity radically changes the way I and (Whose Religion is Christianity? others think about mission. The Gospel Beyond the West, A GLOBAL Somewhere in the midst of those William B Eerdmans, 2004). Global voices, and those conversations, Christianity, he argues, is “the I think we will discover theologies faithful replication of Christian for mission which speak into our forms and patterns developed globalising world. in Europe”. It is about the export PERSPECTIVE of western Christianity. World The Vietnamese theologian Peter Christianity on the other hand is Phan once observed, “Mission is “the movement of Christianity as it not an innocent word.” He was no takes form and shape in societies doubt reflecting on the complex that previously were not Christian”. relationship between faith and Written by Colin Smith, dean of mission This describes something empire which shaped some of our education for Church Mission Society more diverse, more dynamic, mission history. We might like to less predictable. If we stay with think it was an era we have now those distinctions then perhaps The moment I said yes to conveniently consigned to the what we are looking for is not a backwaters of history. Over 60 attempting an article on a theology for global mission but years ago Max Warren asked the theologies of world mission. Here question, “Have we reached the global theology for mission I we find ourselves looking, listening, end of the missionary age in any learning from the experience of knew I was in trouble! Part of shape recognisably continuous God’s worldwide church and from with the past?” (The Christian the problem lies in the idea mission movements around the Mission, London, SCM 1951 p.103) globe. of a global theology. His words reflected his sense that the profound changes that had What then might shape our own taken place in the world around him thinking about mission? There were leading to a complete rethink, are numerous aspects we might

COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 11 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 12 want to consider but here are at least heart of all that we anticipate as we question, one which those of us who a few signposts which might serve as look forward to God’s new creation. are Anglicans understand better than pointers along the way. They also provide the inspiration and most. He asks, “Will the body of Christ be pattern for our thinking about mission realised or fractured in this new Ephesian „„the witness of Scripture* today. moment?” „„the experience a worldwide The experience of the Perhaps one of the great gifts of CMS lies church worldwide church in its place within that worldwide church. Our history teaches us that mission will the realities of our diverse „„ CMS mission partner Harvey Kwiyani be expressed differently in every context, and common contexts writes that God’s Spirit has propelled but the experience of mission, the stories the nations into each other’s arms we hear and tell, can shape and inform The witness of Scripture so that they can embrace each the way we think about mission in our

If we explore the idea of mission in the other to fulfil God’s mission on earth. It own contexts. When we encounter chooses to reveal himself, to make Bible it often seems to be expressed is a marvellous picture reflecting that the vision, the sheer dynamism, of himself know to all the earth. For Israel’s in terms of the movement of people, movement in mission is not primarily the church in some parts of world it mission, pure and simple, is to make God of migration; a word which equally, a movement of people, or a movement challenges us to renew our involvement known. and more poignantly, carries its own of human design and strategy, but in God’s mission within our own context. baggage. Human pride and fallen- Yet this making known is not simply in a movement of the Spirit. Yet it is a Similarly, when we are exposed to the ness, writ large in the tower of Babel, word. Israel is to demonstrate God’s movement which, more than ever, invites suffering, the costliness of Christian saw the global scattering of the sovereignty over the whole earth. The is to hear one another, embrace one discipleship in parts of our world, it nations. A chapter later in Genesis 12 God of Zion is exalted over all the nations another and find unity and common invites us to re-examine the nature of our we see a shift from the global to the (Psalm 99:2). Israel is to demonstrate cause with one another as God fulfils own commitment. But more than that, as his purpose in and through us. It is distinctly local as one man, Abraham, what it means to live as a people and a we encounter Christ in one another, we a fantastic thing to belong to what sets out from modern day on a nation in a way that demonstrates God’s discover more fully what it means to live Desmond Tutu so wonderfully refers to journey of hope towards an unknown justice and righteousness. Prophets like as God’s people in God’s world. as the rainbow people of God, yet it is not destination. Yet through this one man, Isaiah hold out the vision of the whole of without its complexities. Andrew Walls, The realities of our diverse and the generations that followed creation restored and reconciled under reflecting on Ephesians chapter two, him, God’s purpose, a central plank of God’s reign, where the wolf will live with and common contexts famously described what he calls the God’s mission, is revealed. In him all the lamb. There is no space to consider all the Ephesian moment, where two different the nations of the earth will be blessed issues competing to be heard in a global Those three themes – blessing, cultures, Jewish and Greek, discover that (Genesis 12:3). conversation about mission, but perhaps revelation and God’s reign or God’s they need one another to discover the three demand special attention, if for Jump forward a few pages and a few kingdom – find their complete expression fullness of what it means to be in Christ. no other reason than that each has a hundred years and we see the start of a in Jesus. In him God is revealed, for He goes on to see the emergence of a truly global dimension. These three are new migration. This time it’s not a family he is the image of the invisible God truly worldwide church as reflecting a the environment, migration and the but a nation on the move; escaping (Colossians 2); in him we find the fullness new Ephesian moment in our own day, challenges of communicating the gospel persecution and oppression, they seek of God’s blessing (Ephesians 1:3); and commenting, “We need each other’s in a globalising world. a land of promise and opportunity. It in him we see the coming of God’s vision to correct, enlarge and focus our is through this vulnerable and often kingdom. Blessing, revelation and the own; only together are we complete Dave Bookless, a CMS mission partner disobedient people, Israel, that God coming of God’s kingdom lie at the very in Christ.” For Walls this new Ephesian working with A Rocha, reminds us that moment carries with it an Ephesian mission is not only about people, but

*Richard Bauckham, Bible and Mission: Christian Witness in a Postmodern World (Baker Books, 2004)

13 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 14 about the renewal of all things in Mission invites us to recover the gift Christ; that the gospel of Jesus Christ of hospitality, the art of giving and is good news for every creature. In receiving, in the company of the As we stay with the movement an age where we are confronted with stranger. the possibilities of environmental In the midst of this changing, catastrophe he calls for a generation of what God is doing we will globalising world, mission invites who will seek to follow their faith by us to consider what it means to demonstrating Jesus’ saving lordship be reconciled to one another and find ourselves caught up in over all creation. rediscover the art of making Christ We share a common home, a known. We are challenged to find the life of the Spirit. In that world where we are called to be renewed imagination and pioneer stewards of creation. Yet, of late, new models and expressions of renewed life we yearn for our understanding of that common mission which speak with grace home is also being challenged by and confidence, into the diverse a vast and global movement of realities of our own age. Luke Larner, his new creation, seeking to people. While Europe finds itself in a CMS pioneer in Luton describes what some describe as a migration how he has begun to approach demonstrate God’s sovereignty crisis, we are reminded that it is that challenge, pointing to the some of world’s poorest nations who importance of discovering where God provide a haven to the majority those is at work among us. He urges us to over the world he has made. seeking shelter from war, oppression, listen to the place, the community, injustice and poverty. More than ever, the subculture we are serving; notice This will lead us to explore the Christians in the West are faced with where God is at work in individuals, questions about the nature of our groups and places and stay with myriads of pathways through primary identity in Jesus and what the movement of God where we are it means to welcome the stranger, serving. finding in them the face of Christ. which we can extend his As we stay with the movement of what God is doing we will find ourselves caught up in the life of blessing among the nations. the Spirit. In that renewed life we yearn for his new creation, seeking to And, in solidarity with his demonstrate God’s sovereignty over the world he has made. This will lead us to explore the myriads of pathways worldwide church, we will find through which we can extend his blessing among the nations. And, in our common call: to proclaim solidarity with his worldwide church, we will find our common call: to afresh the Christ we share. proclaim afresh the Christ we share.

15 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 16 If we understand mission as most natural now feels strange. We the healing of the world and sense the divine music within us. the reconciliation of all things But our attempts to play are often in Christ’s name. If we find our clumsy and discordant. So what roots, presence and destiny in might this quest for a spirituality of love. And if we resolve above all the Jesus path look like? things to love God and to love I want to suggest that it begins neighbour. Then everything we and ends in devotion. It is a are and everything we do in the spirituality of love, rooted in love name and spirit of Jesus can bring for God and for neighbour (as life and healing. thyself).4 By taking this path our And mission will be the most lives may slowly become more natural thing in the world. The prayerful, transparent and tender. 4. A kingdom of God, said Jesus, is And as we engage with this love within you.1 And from within us, our participation in mission will if we cooperate with love, it will emerge naturally. We will discover ripple out. that life and mission are one. Love SPIRITUALITY for neighbour will flow from love for God is love,2 wrote John, and this God. And love for God will find new love has always been our place depths in love for neighbour. of belonging. It can seem that this love has become a distant Lives oriented towards love, OF MISSION memory, dimmed over time by our committed to loving God and experiences of loss and fear, and neighbour, will bring healing to supplanted by our imaginative the world. It’s as simple – and as attempts to find the belonging that demanding – as that. And it starts we felt had been lost. wherever we are. The most natural By Ian Adams, CMS mission spirituality adviser thing in the world. But the place of belonging has always been there. We are, as St In this handbook, community Our participation in mission is Paul memorably wrote, hidden in prayer, Dwelling in the Word and the most natural thing in the Christ with God.3 But that truth various prayer events listed are has itself become hidden from all great resources for helping to world. Or at least it could be! us. A sense of our natural place of nurture a spirituality of mission belonging in Love, in God, needs to rooted in love. And for practical There are some “ifs”: be recovered. ideas, conversations and events around the theme follow our Spirit Let me describe this search for of Mission project: our lost belonging as the quest for a spirituality. This spirituality is @spiritofmission natural, but it needs our attention. facebook.com/spiritofmission It will take practice. What was once

1Luke 17:21 21 John 4:8 3Colossians 3:3 4Matthew 19:19

17 COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 18 As members of the CMS 1. BECOME PRESENT: community, we commit to praying together, learning together and WE PRAY AS participating together in mission. COMMUNITY Following are some community prayer exercises. We don’t want The heavenly banquet to be too prescriptive as to how I tell you, many will come often members should utilise from east and west and will 5. these. Some members find it eat with Abraham and Isaac helpful to follow this daily, weekly and Jacob in the kingdom of and/or when they gather together heaven. with other members. Sometimes it can be helpful to follow this Matthew 8:11 COMMUNITY prayer guide as a whole, while at at the beginning of this Daily other times it may be helpful to Pause Prayer. Remember that in this act reflect on one part. of prayer you are not alone, but Become present: joining with many others both in PRAYER „„ this community, and in the great we pray as a community community of Christ’s people „„Become still: around the world. Remember too personal reflection that Jesus the Christ is here. „„Dwell in the Word: Archbishop Desmond Tutu was asked receive the gift of the text Prayer in an interview how he managed to „„Reflect on your context: With the saints who have gone we pray for the world before us, with the company fit prayer into his busy international of saints today and with all „„Renew your affirmation: creation,we give thanks to the schedule. He replied, “I’m too busy to live the resurrection Lord, now and forever. pray for less than two hours a day.” „„Be blessed: Generous Lord, we are hungry and as you put your call thirsty for you. May this prayer St Paul in his letter to the church in into action today space become today a feast of Thessalonica urged them to “pray presence, you to us and us to you, without ceasing,” and to “give thanks in in which all are filled. all circumstances.” He said this was the will of God for his church.

COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 19 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 20 3. DWELL IN THE WORD: 4. REFLECT ON YOUR Boundaries are crossed; Lives are lived simply; RECEIVE THE GIFT OF CONTEXT: WE PRAY FOR Stories are told; THE TEXT THE WORLD Creation is valued; Society is transformed; 2. BECOME STILL: The gifts of revelation The crucifixion of Jesus Grace is realised; PERSONAL REFLECTION The heavens are telling the glory When they came to the place that Community is lived And as God is honoured. The parable of the sower of God. is called The Skull, they crucified Psalm 19:1 Jesus there with the criminals. Optional call and response after Listen! A sower went out to sow. Luke 23:33 prayers for the world in a group: Spend time with your church’s set Mark 4:3 The love of Christ renews people and scripture reading(s) for this day or Turn your attention to the context in places and the healing of creation with the current Dwelling in the Word which you find yourself today. Be in Say, write or draw whatever you sense passage on page 26. begins. you need to say today. Now fall into silence with whatever arises within you. stillness. Be alert for the gift of God’s breath and Meditate on Christ on the cross, holding God’s word. Allow this stillness – as awkward, and transforming all of the losses, the mundane, tough or wonderful as it may Allow the text to question you, to shape pain and the evil within us and around 5. WE RENEW OUR be – to be a gift to you. you, and to encourage you. With the us. AFFIRMATION: LIVE THE writer of Psalm 19 give attention also Let the stillness reveal discomfort and at some point today to that other great Prayer RESURRECTION restoration, struggle and unity, anxiety text: that of God’s creation. Jesus, on the cross you took into yourself and belovedness. The resurrection of Jesus all that has ever been broken, and all Prayer that ever will be broken. “Why are you weeping? Whom are Prayer you looking for?” Creator God help us today we pray to Into your body and into your being Christ, sower of the seeds for the sense your presence and to hear your you took it all, you held it and you John 20:15 healing of all creation, give me courage voice in your revealed word and your proclaimed its transformation. to bring all that I am to you today – created world, and reshape us for good. Hear Jesus’ question to Mary Magdalene rock, path, thorn and soil. Help us to continue your work of healing again, as if it is being addressed to you. And so may the words of our mouths here and now, as... Reflect on how this might enable you May all become fertile ground for the and the meditation of our hearts be to live in the spirit of his resurrection tender plants of your heavenly life, Hospitality is given and received; acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and today. bringing refuge, hope and healing. our redeemer. Strangers are welcomed;

21 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 22 The CMS community prayer So we turn our attention now to our Lord, as you have entered into our life work today, to our call in action. and death, and in all the world you call Speak these words of blessing “Jesus dares us to imagine that us into your death and risen life, forgive upon all those in and around the us our sins; and draw us, we pray, by community – the thousands seen and we can learn to handle the the power and encouragement of your unseen – who are praying with you: Spirit, into an exchange of gifts and needs, joys and sorrows, strength and challenges of our relationships weakness with your people everywhere; Blessing that with them we may have grace to For your call in action today... in new ways. Though I’ll admit, break through every barrier, to make May you be gifted with imagination disciples of all peoples and to share your to forge new paths of transformation. it’s much easier to embrace ‘love love with everyone for your glory’s sake. May any breaking be gentle, your neighbor’ as a lofty platitude Amen. revealing the life of Christ within you.

The Lord’s prayer And may you know, above all, that than as a practical mandate. The you are loved. Our Father... For the love of Christ renews people situations we actually face are The collect for the day, which can be and places and the healing of found at www.churchofengland.org creation begins. often confusing… Real community

happens with people who know 6. BE BLESSED: us too well, who, despite all they FOR YOUR CALL IN ACTION TODAY know and the ways we disappoint The feeding of five thousand them, still see our dignity and He saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them. keep believing that we are being Mark 6:34 transformed by love.” In the Father’s grace, in the wisdom of Mark Scandrette, Practicing the Way of Jesus: the Holy Spirit, and in Jesus’ name we Life Together in the Kingdom of Love are given the gift of the deserted place that we may be available to the crowd; we are fed in order to feed; served that we may serve; healed in order to heal.

23 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 24 At the heart of Dwelling in the house. Whenever you enter a Word is the experience that town and its people welcome hearing takes time and attention. you, eat what is set before In 2017 we are suggesting that you; cure the sick who are this passage from Luke’s Gospel there, and say to them, ‘The is one that we might dwell in kingdom of God has come together for the year. It’s exciting near to you.’ But whenever to imagine how, in God’s grace, you enter a town and they do this part of the Word might shape not welcome you, go out into us for life and mission. its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know 2017 Dwelling in the Word 6. DWELLING this: the kingdom of God has passage: Luke 10:1-12 come near.’ I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable After this the Lord appointed for Sodom than for that 70 others and sent them town.” IN THE WORD on ahead of him in pairs to

every town and place where he himself intended to go. He Steps for Dwelling said to them, “The harvest is in the Word plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the 1. Start with the following prayer, Lord of the harvest to send inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us in We encourage community members to out labourers into his harvest. attending to the Word of God. engage in the practice of Dwelling in the Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs Loving God, Word. This process has been developed by into the midst of wolves. Carry Though our destination is not yet Church Innovations (www.churchinnovations. no purse, no bag, no sandals; clear, may we trust in your graceful and greet no one on the road. promises; org) as a practice of missional churches. We Whatever house you enter, Though we may be uncertain of use it in Church Mission Society to help us first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ ourselves, may we be rooted in your And if anyone is there who loving regard; listen to God and to one another. It’s a group shares in peace your peace Though our attention is inclined to will rest on that person; but wander, may we hear the things you practice but many of the principles can be if not, it will return to you. are saying; adapted for personal use. Remain in the same house, Though we often neglect your eating and drinking whatever influence, may we be convicted of your they provide, for the labourer power to change, deserves to be paid. Do not In Jesus Christ our Lord, move about from house to Amen

25 COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 26 In a group setting, over time, Dwelling in the Word forms a community of the Holy Spirit, where the Spirit is a welcome and expected presence. It gives the group the chance to see that they are living a story, and that their story 2. Turn to the passage. If you are in heard before, something odd or a group, have Bibles or copies of the something comforting, or something is a part of God’s story. It is passage available for everyone. about which they’d like to ask a Bible scholar. Listen well, because your 3. Slowly read the passage. In a not magical, or formulaic or job will be to report to the rest of the group one person reads the passage group (in fours, sixes or the whole out loud, taking their time and group) what your partner has said, prescriptive. It is holy. In God’s allowing some following silence to not what you yourself said. Some let the words have their impact. people take notes to help them grace we pray that it creates 4. Reflect on what springs out to you focus and remember. Introduce – something you have never heard your partner by name to the group the community of goodwill before, something odd or something and share what you heard them say. comforting. Enable a conversation among the whole group exploring what God that opens time and space for 5. If you are in a group, find a may be saying to us today from the person in the group whom we might themes arising from the Word. call “a reasonably friendly-looking spiritual discernment for the stranger”. We listen to that person as 6. Spend time in quiet, asking God he or she says what they heard in the to help you frame what you have sake of God’s mission. passage in a particular verse, phrase reflected on for the day, week, or or even single word. They may month ahead. mention something they’d never

27 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 28 We invite every community And I wish to join other CMS member to undertake an annual members in regularly renewing period of self-examination as my mind and spirit and my part of the rhythm of life. Advent commitment to mission. and Lent are great opportunities to renew our commitment to living and sharing the way of Response of the people: Jesus together as the Church We recognise your affirmation, 7. Mission Society community. This we bless you in this calling, and involves praying for mission we commit to praying for you and together, learning from mission with you. You are free to follow together and participating God’s call in mission. In the name COMMUNITY in mission together. In all of Jesus, may you bring challenge, this we aim to be pioneering, change, hope and freedom to the evangelistic, relational and world. faithful. AFFIRMATION After a year of reflection We invite you to find a setting in Following your affirmation, we which to renew your community suggest reflecting on a different affirmation. Ideally this might phrase from it each day. Ponder be in the company of others, it, talk about it, pray with it. And perhaps in your local CMS group. consider what action you could “But who do you say that I am?” remains You might like to use this form of take now to enable this to happen. the Community Affirmation: Our affirmation is a response to one of the most powerful questions ever Jesus’ question, “But who do you asked by Jesus. Our answer to it has huge Today, with the help of God and say that I am?” We affirm our desire with your prayers, to follow him in the context of the implications. If our response is anything I affirm my membership of Church Mission Society community. the Church Mission Society We of course are not Simon Peter like that of the disciple Simon Peter – “You community. and we are not the rock on which are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” I believe God is still working in our Christ’s church is built. But we world. are nevertheless, in Jesus’ name, – nothing will ever be the same again. I want my life to be about mission privileged to play some small part It’s a question that calls us into joyful and I know that mission isn’t in that wonderful ever-unfolding someone else’s job – it’s mine. story. commitment, whatever the cost. I want to live for Jesus daily and I realise I need fuel for this journey. I desire to help my local Christian community keep mission a priority.

COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 29 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 30 Community vision day pray for mission, learn from mission Each year we hold a community and participate in mission. There vision day. This is an opportunity may be members in your area who for members to share in the vision are not connected or are new to for the year ahead. The community CMS, so when you are planning your vision day for 2017 is on 18 March. next event do contact us for an up You can find further information at to date list. Please also let us know churchmissionsociety.org/events so we can include the event on the website and in The Call. Contact with members of Planning meetings 8. the community The CMS church and community We have been very encouraged mission team are keen to support by the number of new members your meetings and to come and visit who have joined the community whenever possible. Occasionally COMMUNITY recently. It could be that there are there are local meetings arranged CMS members in your area who are that clash with other Church not yet known to you. Part of the Mission Society events, which can joy of being in the CMS community make it difficult for the staff team to is meeting up and contacting attend. If you are organising a local GUIDE our fellow members. We want to gathering and would like a member enable this as much as possible, of staff to visit, please contact us. while at the same time respecting the privacy of individuals and our Conferences obligations under data protection Regional conferences are a great legislation. way to meet up with a larger group We are able to provide an up to date of like-minded people and to benefit list of members to help you make from hearing from people in mission contact with other members in your in various parts of the world. We’d area and to publicise local events. like to think that the these annual To receive a contact list, please conferences are within reasonable get in touch with Linda Sammons geographical reach of most of our on 01865 787482 or email: linda. members, with conferences held in sammons@churchmissionsociety. Derbyshire, Hertfordshire and Wales org Linda will send you a document and occasional one-day gatherings entitled Sharing Contact Data in Scotland, not forgetting with the Church Mission Society the Africa and Latin America Community: Our Policy, which conferences. contains all the information you For any information on events need. and gatherings please contact We believe that meeting with other Linda Sammons on 01865 like-minded people inspires us to 787482 Email: linda.sammons@ churchmissionsociety.org COMMUNITY HANDBOOK 2017 31 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 32 CMS GROUPS Manchester York South and East East Dean South West Sally Ashcroft Mrs Pat Chapman: Lynn Sculpher: East Bristol 0161 448 1976 01904 791445 01323 422142 Marjorie Jones: Beccles Merseyside Eastbourne 0117 9373906 Groups provide Wales Dr Keith Wragg: Jean Mitchell: Jean M Wright: opportunities for Wales and the Borders 01502 717169 Bristol 0151 9283491 01323 639507 Jill Singyard: community members to Chris Carey: NE Ipswich Sodor and Man 01179 520993 get together for prayer, 01291 425010 Miss Dianne Davey: Emsworth Elaine Litherland: learning and participation 01473 726706 John Harwood: Cheltenham in mission. Group listings 01624 673458 East Midlands 01243 372215 Mrs Sheila Whiting: NW Ipswich can also be found on South-east Cheshire Derby 01242 517025 Sheila Hancock: Fareham and Gosport churchmissionsociety.org Dave Lloyd: Alan Hartropp: 01473 256964 Robin Green: Exeter under the Get Involved tab. 01260 271665 01332 332256 01329 662113 Alison Head: Norwich Southport Hinckley 01392 466343 Louise Wright: Farnham and Aldershot Irene Carr: Gill Priestly: Scotland 01508 536940 Helen Black: Salisbury 01704 544418 01455 634993 01252 316170 Barbara Oakley: Scottish Fellowship Redbridge and Stockport Mid-Northants 01694 724225 Catherine Stewart: Epping Forest Farnham Ms Wendy Williamson: Margaret Walker: 0141 942 5343 Wendy Littlejohns: Dr Stella Walter: Taunton 01614 833933 01933 223614 02089 894746 01252 715417 Mr Fred Sage: Hove 01823 276797 North Yorkshire West Midlands Saffron Walden Sue Walker: John Puttock: Whipton North East and Humber Birmingham Cleadon Village 01799 523007 01273 721319 Beryl Robbins: CMS Yorkshire Ann M Bower: Mrs Joan Walton: Jersey 01392 467827 Peter Hemming: 01564 775790 St Albans 0191 536 2260 Susan Drummond: François Le Maistre: 01132 782735 Malvern Durham 01727 857620 01534 481034 Harrogate Nora Fowler: Penelope Minney: Maidenhead Tony Ninham: 01684 574463 0191 371 1295 South East Paul Darrall: Groups are the heartbeat 01423 873617 Nuneaton Bexhill-on-Sea 01344 886872 of our community life. North West Denis Gay: Hull John Fowler: Maidstone and Malling We are always keen to 02476 387254 Cumbria and Allen Bagshawe: 01424 222148 Anne Passmore encourage new groups North Lancashire 01482 702220 Shropshire Bournemouth 01622 726237 to form and are happy Jenny Ottewell: Robert Parsons: Leeds Mrs Joan Mosley: Oxford to offer support. Please 01539 727010 01939 291494 Audrey Dickinson 01202 421731 Wendy Slaymaker: contact Linda Sammons Liverpool 18 0113 270 0272 Worcester if we can help in any Carshalton Beeches 01865 760308 Chris Warren: Nick Fane: way: linda.sammons@ Sheffield Mrs Rosemary Marshall: Worthing 0151 724 2316 01684 566601 churchmissionsociety.org Gill and Peter Lee: 02086 435013 Patricia Moss:

Liverpool Waterloo 0114 230 5555 01903 243649 Chichester Ms Gillian Prescott: York 0151 474 8921 Mrs Mary Gostling: Ms Eileen D Wishart: 01243 863932 01904 633705

33 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 34 NOTES

The call in action

CMS ONLINE churchmissionsociety.org pioneer.churchmissionsociety.org FACEBOOK PAGES: Church Mission Society (CMS), Spirit of Mission, Pioneer Hub at CMS, Missional Communities, Orders and Projects Hub at CMS, CMS Link Contacts (group)

TWITTER: @cmsmission

The call in action

35 CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG CHURCHMISSIONSOCIETY.ORG | THE CALL IN ACTION 36