United Methodist Missionary Association

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UMMA Update, February 18, 2010, Rethink Mission (pdf version), No. 69

Rethink Mission: Reflection and Action

From Edinburgh 1910-2010
Mission Engagement Past
Present and Future

Scarritt Bennett Center
1008 19th Avenue
Nashville TN 37212

Pack the House! From Thursday evening, October 14, 2010 to Sunday noon, October 17, 2010, you have the opportunity to hear, reflect and discuss presentations of scholars, missionaries, and leaders in mission in our church at the Rethink Mission Conference at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. This conference is designed to discover anew what mission was, what mission is, and be engaged in planning what mission can be in our church. We are only bound by energy and vision.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the 1910 Missionary Conference a worldwide gathering of mission leaders is planned for Edinburgh, Scotland from June 3-6, 2010. Participation is limited to only 270 invited representatives of the churches. However, participation at the Rethink Mission Conference in Nashville is only limited by those who register on a first come, first served basis.

In the three days you will hear Professor Dana L. Robert foremost mission scholar and keynote speaker at the official Edinburgh, Scotland conference present the keynote address at the Nashville event. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Dr. Glory Dharmaraj, official representatives of the UMC in Edinburgh will respond as official delegates to the international event.

Discussion will focus on four of the study themes from the Edinburgh Study process: Christian Communities in Contemporary Contexts, Christian Mission Among Other Faiths, Mission Spirituality and Authentic Discipleship and Forms of Missionary Engagement. Presenters to help us with this discussion include: Janet Lahr Lewis, active missionary in Palestine; Dr. Robert Hunt, Professor at Perkins School of Theology, former long-term missionary; Dr. Phil Wingeier Rayo, Professor of Mission at Pfeiffer University, former missionary; and Lois Dauway, Deputy General Secretary of Mission and Evangelism at GBGM.

Harriet Jane Olson, Deputy General Secretary of the Women's Division will present a BIble Study on the "Reign of God" with a focus on women and children in mission of the future.

Dr. Safiyah Fosua and Dr. Kwasi Kena, former GBGM missionaries and currently staff of the General Board of Discipleship will discuss issues related to ethnicity in mission. Jeremy Basset, VIM leader in Oklahoma Annual Conference will lead the topic on VIM programs and Becky Louter, GBGM Executive of the Deaconess and Home Missioner program, will discuss what may be the fastest growing mission program in the UMC as a part of bi-vocation in mission.

Other featured addresses will be by Dr. Wesley Ariarajah, Professor of Ecumenical Theology at Drew University, the Reverend Paul Jeffrey, award winning photo journalist and long time missionary, and Dr. Daryl Balia, layman from Union of South Africa who is serving as the Executive Director of the International Program at Edinburgh in June. Presentations by these individuals can challenge current understandings of mission. I look forward to seeing you there, Norma Kehrberg

Working Tracks

The conference is designed so that each participant will be in a working track for intimate reflection, discussion and to develop action plans to re-engage the UMC in mission. A summary of the findings will be documented and circulated to concerned groups in the church. Dr. Doug Wingeier, former missionary and professor emeritus of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will guide the working tracks.

Debra Tyree of the GBGM Global Praise Group will lead the liturgy and music.

Come and be Engaged

Share insights from mission history
Seek understanding of mission today
Identify possibilities for mission engagement
Strategize to re-engage the church in mission

Registration Information

Site: Scarritt Bennett Center in Nasville, historic seat of missionary and Christian education training.

Date: Begins Thursday evening, October 14, 2010
Registration begins October 14, 2010 in the afternoon
Closes on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at noon.

Early Registration Cost: $265. Includes three nights lodging, nine meals, and registration fee.

Download the registration form here (pdf).

We welcome your comments: