Groups seek wider embrace of ‘Dallas Covenant’

by Jerry L. Van Marter, Presbyterian News Service
[6-14-08]

LOUISVILLE — June 13, 2008 — Commissioners to the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), June 21-28 in San Jose, CA, will be asked to commend to all Presbyterians a groundbreaking invitation to cooperate and collaborate more effectively as global outreach efforts grow and proliferate.

The proposal — “An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission” — came out of an unprecedented worldwide mission consultation held in Dallas in January of this year that brought together 64 diverse mission leaders representing denominational and other mission organizations related to the PC(USA).

[Witherspoon co-moderator Jake Young participated in this consultation.  His brief report was published in Network News, Winter, 2008, page 26.]

Since then, mission organizations from across the full theological spectrum of the denomination — from the Presbyterian Global Fellowship to the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship — have formally signed on to what is commonly called “the Dallas Covenant.” No dissent to the covenant has been reported.

The covenant affirms that Presbyterian mission is “God-called, Christ-centered and Spirit-led,” that it involves “both proclamation and service” and “is the reason the church exists.” It affirms that “the church is part of God’s plan” and as it engages faithfully in mission “to be the church is to be one large mission society.”

The document also acknowledges that patterns of mission have changed over the years, with the majority of the world’s Christians now living in Latin America, Africa and Asia. As a result, Presbyterians in mission “must listen and learn to receive. We must also be open to new patterns of collaboration” which involve “new cooperation and partnerships within the PC(USA).”

Some of those changes are clear. The number of denominationally-sponsored mission workers has declined by two-thirds in the last 20 years, to approximately 200 full-time persons in 2008. Meanwhile, congregations and presbyteries have become increasingly involved directly in overseas mission activities, including the sending of mission workers. More than three dozen “mission networks” have been established in recent years, bringing together Presbyterians having a common interest, usually in a specific country or region.

Noting this proliferation, but not necessarily coordination, of Presbyterian mission efforts, the 2006 General Assembly adopted a commissioners’ resolution seeking a consultation like the one held in Dallas. The Dallas consultation was convened by General Assembly Moderator Joan Gray, General Assembly Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and General Assembly Council Executive Director Linda Valentine.

Those joining the covenant pledge to trust the Holy Spirit and one another, engage in service and proclamation, communicate openly and transparently and to be particularly sensitive to the contexts in which mission is carried out.

They also agree to affirm and encourage the World Mission enterprise of the PC(USA)’s General Assembly Council while also encouraging diverse approaches and structures for Presbyterian mission, to share responsibility for the education and preparation of Presbyterians for mission, to affirm and support the growing importance of mutual or cross-cultural mission, and to affirm the value of long-term mission service in order to build sustained and sustainable mission relationships.

“Missional church” –  a slogan or a reality?     [5-26-08]

Doug King, editor of Witherspoon's Network News and manager of this website, reflects on the term “missional church,” which has appeared frequently in recent discussions of the new Form of Government proposal. The use of the term – especially by some evangelical groups – seems to be a positive description of the “FOG” report, indicating what they see as a more flexible structure that serves the primary purpose of the church, which is mission.

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