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 England. 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.