Pioneering mission in new ways Rick Hill introduces PCI’s first mission pioneers who are carving out new possibilities of mission in PCI.
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ust over 50 years ago, the Lausanne Covenant declared that evangelisation required “the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world”. It is a call to action that has since served as a rallying call to many in the church and it is the concept of the ‘whole church’ that I wish to point us to. There has been a well-publicised need for more ministers in our denomination at this time. I join with that prayer that more gifted men and women would sense a call from God to test their call to serve the Church in this way. We need a new generation of ministers to both fill current needs and realise new possibilities. However, this isn’t all we need as a Church, is it? At the General Assembly in June 2024, the principal of Union Theological College encouraged us to pray, not simply for 30–40 more ministers, but “hundreds and hundreds of gospel workers” to come forward to seek training and join with God in his mission. I echo that call. In chapters 9 and 10 of Luke’s gospel, we read of Jesus sending his followers out in pairs to the surrounding towns and villages. Their task was to prepare the way, be workers in his harvest field and speak of the nearness of the kingdom of God. It is striking that Jesus sends these disciples out when he is still on earth. The ministry of 38
Herald April 2025
Jesus was fully in recent years, the active and at its Council for Mission height, yet he still in Ireland has been saw the need to seeking evangelists, involve others and pioneers and church mobilise them in planters to not his mission. The simply serve the whole body taking current needs of the the whole gospel, Church but, under through both God, to carve out Lewis McKelvey accepting his call papers from Rick Hill declaration and new possibilities of with Rev Gary Glasgow (vacancy convener) and Pat Shirley demonstration, to (clerk of session). mission. the whole world. One specific On one level this is a reminder that pathway for individuals in the every disciple of Jesus is to be sent, Presbyterian Church in Ireland who not merely passengers in a pew but feel called to this specific kind of participants in his mission. This is a call missional endeavour is through the to us all, no matter our age or stage, our role of ‘mission pioneer’. This is a new background or baggage, that we each title for an existing role known as have a part to play in the task of the missional auxiliary ministry, approved Great Commission. There has always by the General Assembly in 2023 and been a need for more workers for the opened for applicants in 2024, where harvest fields. But there is also a need individuals could be assessed and within the Church for those who give approved by the Church before being a lead and go first, those who mobilise apprenticed and trained accordingly, and pioneer, who deploy and develop, in preparation for deployment into who “equip the saints for works of new opportunities for mission as they service” (Ephesians 4:12). That is why, arise. Such opportunities might be new mission projects that seek to lead Pioneers are those who to church planting or bring a sharp focus to church revitalisation go first, pave the way and outreach efforts. initiate connection with Pioneers are those who go first, pave the way and initiate connection those outside the with those outside the Church to Church… engage them with both the gospel and
