The future of CMS is network mission. Mark Oxbrow explains why
Network mission is about releasing fresh energy for global mission and strengthening international partnerships.
From 1 February CMS’s international relationships and governance will begin to function differently. Within three years, the former CMS regions Africa, Asia and Europe will each have been replaced by local mission movements running their own mission programmes based on locally-agreed policies and priorities. Each will have their own boards of governance, general secretaries and staff.
We will work as ‘members one of another’, sharing resources for mission and equipping people for mission service, based on the principles of interchange.
Why the change?
We live in a world full of networks rather similar to the mission networks Paul worked with in Acts. Former CMS 'mission fields' have given birth to churches, communities and movements with a mission impulse of their own.
Strategic decisions need to be agreed and implemented locally, not in faraway Britain. Canon Max Warren, (general secretary 1942-63) first outlined these interchange principles in 1944!
What are the next steps?
Implementation started in Africa in February; Asia will get underway about a year later. Much of our day-to-day mission work will proceed unchanged but increasingly you will see African and Asian Christians taking the lead. Behind the scenes much will change in terms of our processes and protocols.
What benefits will this bring?
It’s our prayer that these changes will release a new generation of
Christians for mission in each of the three regions, widen the people- and financial-bases of mission, and strengthen indigenous mission movements.
What about CMS People in Mission (including mission partners)?
There will be no substantial change here. People in Mission recruited,
selected, trained and sent out by CMS from Europe will remain part of the new CMS-Europe.
What about our other CMS programmes?
Network mission will create all kinds of opportunities for interchange.
God’s people in Africa, Europe and Asia are richly gifted. Networks are the way to see these gifts exchanged most effectively for gospel ministry.
How will the different parts of CMS connect?
We are not talking about CMS-Africa, CMS-Asia or CMS-Europe going off on their own. Protocols and systems agreed between them will encourage common mission. They will also be linked by the
Faith2Share Network
which connects the wider CMS family (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and USA) with several other African, Asian, American and European mission movements.
What does it mean in practical terms for CMS in Britain?
CMS began as a mission movement from Europe to almost every point of the compass. Today, 209 years on, Europe is perhaps the most challenging global mission context. We approach this challenge as the CMS founders did, beginning in small ways and looking to the Holy Spirit for power and guidance. Through CMS-Europe you, as a European Christian, will be able to access a dynamic network of opportunities for direct mission participation, local and global: to engage, to pray, to give, to go, to offer hospitality.
Mark Oxbrow is managing consultant for the CMS mission network