Global Mission
The next Global Mission Festival Service will be
Sunday, September 14, 2008
As Lutheran Christians, we believe that God is active in the world. God is on a mission for the sake of the world, bringing healing, peace, and transformation. However, we often miss what God is up to, and so are unable to join in God's mission in our neighborhoods and around the world. As part of our Transformation process, Bethlehem Lutheran Church is spending some time focusing on what God is doing around the world and how we can be a part of it. Through a series of intentional worship services and events we are seeking to bring to our awareness the needs and blessings of our neighbors both near and far. Come be a part of our Global Mission Events!
Focus: World Hunger
"Go and Do Likewise" Worship, Sunday July 8th
Learn more: http://www.elca.org/hunger/
Focus: The One Campaign
"One Campaign" Worship, Sunday August 12
Special guest: Kelly Kiki, OneSpokane
Focus: Global Mission
Global Mission Festival Worship, Sunday, September 9th 10:30am
Learn more: http://www.elca.org/globalmission/
Focus: Fair Trade
Fair Trade Fair, Saturday, October 27 1-4pm
A global marketplace featuring fairly traded goods from around the world (great for Christmas presents!)
Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade
What is global mission?
In Matthew 28:19-20 and many other biblical passages, God calls us to participate in God’s mission by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in word and deed. "Global mission" refers to the way the ELCA responds to God’s call to mission outside the United States.
How has the ELCA’s approach to global mission changed?
In global mission, the ELCA practices the accompaniment model for mission, which calls churches to walk together in service in God’s mission while each church maintains primary responsibility for its own area. Here’s how global mission practices have shifted under this paradigm.
| Old mission model | Accompaniment mission model |
| Missionaries served in primary ministries like evangelism, education, and curative health care | ELCA builds and strengthens churches by sending missionaries when requested; and through direct grants and scholarship funds |
| Ministry directed by U.S. or European Lutheran church or mission agency | Ministry directed by indigenous church |
| The majority of missionaries were ordained pastors | 70 percent are lay people |
| Missionaries devoted entire lives to serve | 8-10 year long-term and many short-service term opportunities engage more of God’s people in sharing their gifts in mission |
| North American church saw itself as the "sender" of personnel, expertise, money | The ELCA sends, receives and exchanges gifts with companion churches. Missionaries from Brazil, Japan, the Philippines, and El Salvador are developing new ELCA ministries and congregations in New Jersey, Colorado, California, and Wisconsin |
| Few independent churches | In 1990 the ELCA related to 56 companion churches; in 2006, the ELCA relates to 74 companions |