Steps to Be a Global Mission Congregation

Steps to Be a Global Mission Congregation

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We are glad that you have accepted the challenge to be a Global Mission Congregation. You are about to begin a transformative journey as God extends your relationships beyond our national boundaries to the ends of the earth. Here are some steps to consider:

STEP 1: GATHER a team to coordinate the Be a Global Mission Congregation process. Is there an existing mission committee in your congregation or can you gather a few individuals who have a passion for global mission?

STEP 2: LEARN about the UCC’s and Disciples’ global mission heritage and current mission strategy. How much do you know about what your church is doing around the world in global mission? Have you seen the Connecting Threads DVD which gives an overview of that work?

STEP 3: EVALUATE your current global mission involvement and discern your congregation’s launching point. What is your congregation already doing in global mission? What are the strengths and weaknesses? What should you continue? What new areas would you like to investigate?

STEP 4: CREATE your plan of global mission involvement by completing the checklist of ideas for action (insert link to checklist here). How will your evaluation and new interests shape the ideas that you want to pursue in this next phase of global mission? Here is how to proceed:

  • Start by checking off the list what your congregation is already committed to doing in global mission. Notice that there is an “other idea” line under each category which enables you to include commitments that are not listed, but that are important to your congregation.
  • Continue by choosing a few ideas for action that seem to be realistic for your congregation at this point on your journey. 
  • Finally, don’t forget to give yourself a challenge or two that really push you out of your comfort zone and to the ends of the earth.  

STEP 5: COMMIT to a specific plan of action in partnership with Global Ministries by completing the checklist and commitment statement for  Disciples congregations or  UCC congregations. Consider working on these ideas for action over the next three years. You will need to establish measurable objectives for the implementation of each idea, including target dates and names of the people who will be responsible for carrying out the objectives. At the end of the three year period, you will want to plan an evaluation and begin another cycle. Global Ministries would like to recognize your congregation with a certificate.

Please contact us so that we can walk with you on this journey!

Disciples contact:  Bob Shebeck 317-713-2571 or bshebeck@dom.disciples.org

UCC contact: Jan Aerie at 216-736-3204 or aeriej@ucc.org