Vision for Mission

BACKGROUND

“In our changing world, in response to the imperative of the gospel and our experience of God’s grace, we are called to share with God in transforming the world.” [1]

“Through human witness in word and action, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ reaches out to command people’s attention and awaken faith; he calls people into the fellowship of his sufferings, to be the disciples of a crucified Lord; in his own strange way Christ constitutes, rules, and renews them as his Church.”‘ [2]

During the year 2002, the Synod Leadership Team embarked on a process of reflection and consultation that resulted in the development of the document, “The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod Intentional Mission Strategy – A future with Heart and Soul.” The document was understood to be a “navigational framework” designed to assist the Synod Leadership Team, and others, as they determined their agenda and focussed their resources.

Building on from this work in 2005, the Synod Leadership Team, along with the members of the Synod Mission Advisory Forum and a number of other people engaged in various aspects of the church’s ministry and mission, have worked together to vision new ways of being church. Believing that God is already in the world, and is calling us to live the Gospel in word and action in that world, our work has been undertaken in response to three key questions:

1. What kind of world is God calling us into, as bearers of God’s Good News?
2. How do we engage with God in this world, in obedience to God’s call?
3. What resources will we need in order to respond to God’s call?

The goal is to seed as many new mission ventures through organising collaborative efforts throughout the church. Any new missional initiatives will intentional build relationships with people of the wider community, and characteristically will have creative alternatives to the employment of full time people and property ownership.

As part of achieving this goal, the Vision for Mission Advocate role and the Vision for Mission Facilitation Team were created. The type of person sought for the Vision for Mission Advocate role will have a commitment to the establishment of new missional initiatives which are outside the usual church square, and who can operate in a flexible and creative manner.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

This new position has a pivotal leadership role in assisting the Synod to implement its Vision for Mission. It will provide encouragement. Ideas and expertise in identifying and growing innovative and creative initiatives and ventures in mission and ministry. In conjunction with the Vision for Mission Facilitation Team, the Vision for Mission Advocate will be a key resource for people as they explore, establish and develop innovative, creative and courageous ventures in ministry and mission within the within the Uniting Church in Australia, Qld Synod.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Working with the Vision for Mission Facilitation Team and through the General Secretary the position will report to the Synod Leadership team and the Council of Synod.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The facilitation, resourcing, nurturing and energising of congregations to explore, identify, develop, implement and review innovative, enterprising, creative and courageous ventures in ministry and mission relevant to the local community.

• To promote, encourage and energise the exploration and identification of innovative and enterprising missional initiatives within congregations.
• To resource, nurture and facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of innovative and enterprising missional initiatives within congregations.
• To encourage and build networks of groups engaged in innovative and enterprising missional initiatives to share their experiences, create synergies and provide support to one another.
• The provision of assistance to explore funding possibilities and to develop funding proposals for innovative and enterprising missional initiatives.
• In consultation with the Vision for Mission Facilitation Team, discern the suitability of applications for support from the Innovative Mission Initiatives Fund with particular reference to the alignment with the Vision for Mission.

2. The training, mentoring and coaching of leaders and people in innovative, enterprising and creative missional and ministry initiatives.

• The production (and as, required presentation of) of educational training packages, papers and other resources on issues of creative and innovative ventures in ministry and mission.
• The mentoring and coaching of key individuals within congregation who can lead the drive to explore, identify, develop, implement and review innovative, enterprising, creative and courageous ventures in ministry and mission relevant to the local community.

3. The development of educational resources on creative and innovative ventures in ministry and mission for use within Church bodies including:

• Research in the area of creative and courageous ventures in ministry and mission and to make available to the Church the results of such research.
• The collection and dissemination of stories, practical examples and models of creative and courageous ventures in ministry and mission.

4. Network with all arms of the church to develop strong and effective relationships, including:

• The Moderator, General Secretary, Synod departments & staff.
• The Vision for Mission Facilitation Team.
• Uniting Church agencies, including the extensive community services network.
• Parishes, presbyteries, other Synods and Assembly.

5. Other

• Work as a member of the network of Synod Support Services as determined by the General Secretary including attendance at and participation in committees as required.
• Report to General Secretary and Synod Leadership Team
• Administrative and office tasks