On Being Presbyterian: Partners in Mission

What does it mean to be “Presbyterian”? Some will answer this question based on a shared theological consensus reflected in our Book of Confessions: from Nicaea to Barmen and beyond our perspective on the Faith is that all things belong to God – first, last and always! Others will answer this question based on a shared polity reflected in our Book of Order: there is much truth to the old saw about Presbyterians liking to do it decently and in order (but what is “it”?). I want to answer this question based on shared mission.

Did you notice that in each of the above responses, we find the word “shared”? To be Presbyterian is to be connected with others: proclaiming a shared theological heritage, governed by a shared polity, expressing ourselves in shared mission.

One of the reasons Presbyterians have “shared mission partnerships” is theological. In John 17:20-21, Jesus prays,

I pray…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I hear in these verses both Jesus’ expressed ideal for our unity, that it may reflect the Triune Oneness of God, and Jesus’ intention that our unity may be expressed in our mission, that our “sentness” by Jesus in John 20:21 reflect his own mission of redemptive love, salvation and shalom, justice and joy.

Within the Presbytery of Grand Canyon, we have mission partners among our Native American congregations, partners among our Hispanic churches, as well as supporting ecumenical efforts as the Arizona Faith Network and young adult ministries through campus ministries at ASU and NAU. Each of these our shared mission partnerships have at least two things in common: they minister Christ’s love to economically fragile communities and are themselves financially fragile.

The fragility of all our mission partners is mirrored by the fragility of our congregations, which bear the burden of helping our partners minister God’s love to others. You and your congregation enable our mission partners to speak Christ’s love, discern the Spirit’s guidance, and enact the will of God in the lives of their people. At least, this is the ideal: your congregation sending our mission partners into the world.

The reality is somewhat different. The reality of our congregation – mission partner relationships are that they appear to be tenuous, underdeveloped, and uneven. Some congregations connect with a particular congregation or ministry, while still others have no connection at all. Congregations with a robust relationship with a mission partner support that partner, while other partners languish. What, then, shall we do?

I have no desire to cast blame but an intense interest to respond helpfully to the fragility experienced by our mission partners. What shall we do? What should “they” do? What can you do? I have some ideas about how to answer these questions, but prefer first to hear your ideas. What do you think needs to happen to express our unity in faith through unity in mission with these our brothers and sisters?

Grace and peace,
Brad Munroe