General Synod 2007

 

up to Convening Circular
^-- up to Resolutions

Resolution Number: A180 

Subject: Merger of Partners in Mission & Ecojustice Committees

Moved by: Bishop Sue Moxley, Diocese of Nova Scotia  & Prince Edward Island

Seconded By: Mr. Bill Mous, Diocese of Niagara

Note: The mover and the seconder must be members of the General Synod and be present in the House when the resolution is before the synod for debate.

BE IT RESOLVED:

That this General Synod approve the merger of the Ecojustice Committee and the Partners in Mission Committee to create a new Standing Committee to be named the Partners in Mission & Ecojustice Committee, effective at the beginning of the 2007 – 2010 Triennium.

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

1. Understanding of Mission

The core mandate of the Partners in Mission Committee has been to support the mission priorities of partner churches in other parts of the world. Many of our partners have identified the impacts of global justice issues as being central to their mission work. The core mandate of the Ecojustice Committee has been to assist the Anglican Church of Canada in its mission to transform the unjust structures of society and guard the integrity of creation. There has been a growing understanding that both committees address issues that are global in scope and yet have consequences that are experienced locally, and both committees are concerned to work in respectful partnerships and to seek to build right relationships. Both committees understand their work to be about encouraging and enabling people to participate in God’s mission to transform themselves and the world. Both committees strongly affirm that the General Synod’s work of mission and Ecojustice needs to continue, and that it is best done in a partnership model.

The Five Marks of Mission were developed by The Anglican Consultative Council between 1984 and 1990. They continue to be accepted in the Anglican Communion as a summary statement of the work of mission. The Five Marks of Mission, listed below, also summarize much of the work of the Partners in Mission and the Ecojustice Committees:

2. Areas of Convergence have been identified as follows:

Biblical and Theological Reflection

Communication, Education and Resource Development

Advocacy Around Particular Issues

Relational Aspects

Links with Partner Organizations

3. Rationale re name of new committee

Both committees agreed on the importance of retaining the terms “mission” and “Ecojustice” to clearly identify the work being carried forward. They also wished to retain the term “partners” because of its wide use throughout the Anglican world to signal long-established and well-defined practices of relationship.

4. Practical Concern

The proposed merger is a response to current missiological thinking, and to the increasing convergence of the work of both committees. It also anticipates the direction of General Synod toward simplified structures, and the need to exercise responsible stewardship of the church’s resources.

Source: PIM & ECJ Committees
(name of committee, diocese, etc.)

Submitted by: Council of General Synod

A) Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?

Yes ______ No ___X__

B) If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?

Yes ______ No ______


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