Mission Matters
When I was appointed Mission Motivator, I introduced myself and my vision for Mission at All Souls, to parishioners. Four years have passed, memories have faded, and our Church Family has new members. It’s time, therefore, to revisit my original key messages i.e. What is Mission? How do we do it and why do we do it?
As Christians we are called to carry out the Great Commission, “to reach out and proclaim the love of Jesus to all humanity, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or political affiliation …and to reach out into places and to the people who need help the most”. (Anglican Missions). Our call to share the Gospel is important, however how we live our lives is equally so. Jesus calls us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”. Matthew 5:16 (ESV). The works of Jesus “made who he was manifestly clear. His works shone and they still shine”.
Over the last four years, I have witnessed you “shine,” through your voluntary work at the church and elsewhere; your donations to the City Mission Food Bank; your offertory, financial contributions, and responses to Appeals and fundraisers. These are outward, observable signs of who you are and whose you are. Mission mentality is part of our All Souls DNA. It is important to recognise and value these countless acts of Mission in action so “we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:23-24 (NIV).
In the year ahead we may conduct good works in “new,” diverse ways. However, we will be conveying the same “old” message of love. “Mission begins in the love of God, the love that He has for all His creation and all His creatures. If we love God, then mission is part of our response to that love, as we participate in His love for the world. Mission is not principally about ‘what we do’ but ‘why we do it,’ and the why of mission is love. The motivation of love is what makes mission mission, for only then can it be said to be participation in the mission of God.” (Jim Memory)
When providing financial support, we give preference to Anglican Missions, (AM). Working with and on behalf of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, AM support a range of partners and work collaboratively with a range of agencies locally, (such as the New Zealand Church Missionary Society - NZCMS) and overseas (such as Tearfund and CWS). The Five Marks of Mission (developed in 1984) are guiding principles that “focus and give bones to the work of the Anglican Church worldwide and are the core values which weave through all that AM do”. All their Christian mission, Projects, Aid & Development and Humanitarian Aid work is measured in some way against one or more marks of mission. Through our relationship with AM, we are actively involved in this work. We contributed to 5000 Tongans receiving help after the 2022 tsunami/volcanic eruption; to 30,000 Pacific people receiving Covid 19 vaccines; to the support of 17 NZCMS Mission Partners and 3,600 Pacific people gaining access to clean water. We support AM by pledging $6,000 per annum from our Offertory or Tikanga Giving. Our contribution is part of the annual pledge agreed at the Diocesan Synod. In addition, we “mobilise love into action” by raising money for the AM’s Lenten Appeal and Emergency Appeals. Details of Anglican Mission’s 2025 Lenten Appeal will be provided when available.
The role of Mission Motivator is to educate and raise awareness (and funds) for overseas mission. However, I have, through Mission Table and Book and Bake Sales, also encouraged support for local needs which continue to grow. When selecting causes to support I am influenced by the Core Values of All Souls, (faith, integrity, inclusiveness, compassion, social justice and stewardship) and the fact that our members come from Christchurch and surrounding areas to form a racially, ethnically, and economically diverse congregation. Each member is a part of a succession of interdependent communities starting with our own homes and families and progressively reaching into the wider community, the country, and the world. This concept is well illustrated in the diagram alongside.
When distributing our modest funds, I have considered all these competing interests. Since our current focus is growing young disciples, I have included projects with a youth focus, like the new Christchurch Youth Hub. Preferred projects are those with specific, measurable objectives yielding immediate benefit, like the Kindness Collective’s Annual PJ Project and the City Mission’s Back to School Appeal. Our relationship with causes is also a persuading factor. The Tipping family, who have a long association with All Souls, introduced us to St Andrew’s Anglican School, Tonga and Adrienne Winnicott and Susan McDonald are actively involved in Days for Girls, NZ. I thank you for the tremendous support you have given me in my role. In the year ahead, I welcome suggestions for new ways of “doing Mission.” Ways which will continue to convey the old message of love.
“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business, and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbours worthy.” Thomas Merton.
Lesley Allan
