COALITION FOR MISSIONS - What does this mean for Missions in WNCC?

As you are probably aware, the Commission on Mission/Outreach will no longer exist
upon passage of the proposed reorganization of structure. In its place will be a non-elected
group under the Congregational Excellence Team called, a “Coalition for Missions.”

The coalition will be a non-elected ad hoc group working on the signifi cant mission
causes of the Western NC Conference and connect the mission work of the conference
with the General Board of Global Ministries. Representation will continue through the
conference staff and the chairpersons of the different groups within the coalition (i.e.
Project AGAPE, VIM, Disaster Response, …). These groups will still have rights to petition
for funding and Western NC Conference emphasis. The coalition will share the concerns,
needs and wishes for its different components and for the local churches to get involved.
Whether it will be a loosely-connected body, or a strong federation of mission organizations
will be determined by the coalition’s activities.

Under the new framework, what would be gone is the “commission” made up of
district lay and clergy representatives to set the agenda, budget and prospects of mission
work throughout the conference. The desires, interests, individual mission emphases and
passions for taking the Word of God into the uttermost parts of the world in word and deed
will remain. Under the new set-up, mission would be seen as a benchmark (or a fruit) of
the excellent local church.

This format comes from an understanding that a church is called into mission! Mission
is not a function or activity of the church, it is the church in action! Mission may involve
one-on-one mission projects, teams, missionary support, food packing, working with local
schools and so on. Mission is putting the love of God in action in this world, locally,
nationally and globally.

Over the past few months, a speakers’ bureau has received training to keep the
conference engaged in mission awareness. Approximately 85 persons have expressed an
interest in serving on that bureau. Many of these speakers have been given a PowerPoint
program and other items to help local congregations discern what the church is presently
doing in mission and what they might attempt in the future. While each speaker has his/
her passion for ministry, the speakers will not be advocating any one mission or Advance
project, and will not be asking for fi nancial support.

Thank you for your continued mission support!