United Methodist Missionary Association

UMMA Update, October 30, 2009 (pdf version), No. 66

In this All Saints issue

Annual Report of the UMMA Chairperson, Jim Gulley
UMMA 2009 Annual Gathering and Business Meeting, October 12, 2009
GBGM Task Force Reports by Three UMMA Representatives
Our Readers Write
Missionary Milestones
"Rethink Mission: Reflection and Action" background by Norma Kehrberg

1. Annual Report of the UMMA Chairperson, Jim Gulley

As a prelude to my report, I want to express appreciation to the General Board of Global Ministries directors and staff who attended the UMMA-GBGM Mini-consultation on October 11, 2009. Squeezing that meeting into the mix of Women's Division and General Board meetings made it impossible for some to attend and that we regret. We look forward to fuller engagement with the Women's Division in the near future. The next UMMA UpDate will include a comprehensive report of that "mini-consultation". In addition, I also want to express thanks to Bishop Bruce Ough, President of the GBGM Board of Directors, who included three missionary representatives on the board task forces. The collegial spirit we have experienced under Bishop Ough's leadership is most refreshing. We look to the future trusting God will show us the way forward together.

United Methodist Missionary Association Annual Gathering,
October 11-13, 2009, Stamford Marriott Hotel, Stamford, Connecticut

The past year began with high hopes as Rev. Ed Paup began his term as General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) on September 1, 2008, following a one-year hiatus filled by an interim general secretary, Bishop Felton May. Rev. Paup attended UMMA's Annual Gathering and brought a message of openness to the missionary community. In response, UMMA outlined in UMMA UpDate ways in which GBGM might engage the whole missionary community in mission, once again (UMMA UpDate 61, December 2008).

Shortly after the Fall 2008 Semi-annual Board Meeting, Rev. Paup initiated a full operational audit of the GBGM. The results of that audit were announced at the Spring Board Meeting and included 207 recommended changes, as well as the establishment of three task forces that would guide 1) implementation of the audit, 2) board governance and 3) location. In April, three UMMA representatives attended the spring meeting: Missionary-in-Residence, Helen Dwyer and Ms Joyce Hill and Rev. Lyda Pierce. Their reports brought more startling news: both pension and health care benefits for missionaries were being reduced.

These proposed changes set off a chain of events by UMMA leadership, including telephone calls and letters to General Secretary Paup (May 7, 2009, May 31 2009) requesting a meeting, which culminated in a two-day meeting between Jim Gulley and Nan McCurdy, representing UMMA, and Rev. Ed Paup and Rev. Edith Gleaves (one day only) of GBGM. While attending the two-day meeting, Jim and Nan were cordially hosted by Helen & Jim Dwyer and Lyda Pierce. The five worked closely together in the evenings to formulate the issues to be discussed at the meeting with Revs. Paup and Gleaves. The group consulted by phone with Dick Vreeland concerning the formulation of the issues. The group also drafted a revision of the Missionary-in-Residence position description to strengthen its role within GBGM.

Out of the June meetings, a proposal was accepted by GS Ed Paup to participate in a "mini-consultation" with selected board members and GBGM staff on October 11, 2009. With the unexpected resignation of Rev. Ed Paup in mid-September, the status of the mini-consultation was questioned. However, in the end the Interim General Secretary, Bishop Joel Martinez and the GBGM Cabinet decided that he and the Cabinet and the Missionary Services staff, Bruce Griffith, would participate. However, other GBGM staff invited by UMMA would not attend.

UMMA Update 63, June 16, 2009 included the reports of the April board meeting by UMMA Representatives Joyce Hill and Lyda Pierce, along with the full report on "Meeting of GBGM and UMMA Reps in NYC - McCurdy and Gulley. Because of the lack of clear consensus on the proposed changes in the pension system evident at the April board meeting, UMMA's assumptions about the proposed changes were posted on the UMMA website.

At that time, Dakin Cook was requested to convene an Ad hoc Committee on Pension & Health Care that proposed GBGM reconsider the decisions taken at the April Board Meeting. The committee also included Jim Dwyer, Sara Flores, and Fred Price and Dick Vreeland. Subsequently, Roland Fernandes, General Treasurer, proposed a conference call that included Board of Director John Redmond, Lois Dauway and UMMA Representatives (Gulley, Dakin Cook and Helen Dwyer). That call concluded with a proposal to have a face-to-face meeting that was held on August 14, 2009, which led to an agreement by Roland Fernandes to defer the decision on the pension system and retain the current pension rate of $495 per service year through 2010.

In May, when we learned that three task forces were being established to follow-up the operational audit and the adoption of the changes proposed at the spring board meeting, UMMA requested Bishop Bruce Ough, President of the Board of Directors, to include representatives of the missionary community on each task force. Bishop Ough accepted UMMA's nomination of Joyce Hill, Norma Kehrberg and Lyda Pierce respectively to serve on the Board Governance, Implementation and Location task forces.

The GBGM initiated an operational audit between January and April 2009 "that would lead to decreased operating costs, increased revenue, more effective service delivery models and a more rational organizational structure." Some of the most visible changes resulting from that audit took place during the summer months with the reduction of 68 staff positions, some through retirement, some through severance packages and others through termination. Other changes will be implemented in future months.

UMMA is, and has worked hard to be, seriously engaged with GBGM on issues that affect GBGM's effective leadership in mission. Our relationship has suffered from some lapses in effective communication. Part of the reason for the lapses has to do with the ad hoc and somewhat one-sided nature of our relationship, which essentially places responsibility for the relationship on the missionary community. We, the missionary community, have always been the ones who have had to insure that we are informed of issues, that we are staying on top of them and that we have periodic consultations with GBGM. This type of one-sided relationship has changed somewhat in recent years but needs to change more radically to one that incorporates UMMA as an integral part of the life and work of GBGM, while still leaving room for a degree of independence.

GBGM and UMMA have not yet established an appropriate basis for a relationship that incorporates UMMA as an integral part of program and policy development. Doing so would give GBGM the benefit of missionary perspective and experience. I believe the United Methodist Church's engagement in mission would be strengthened significantly by integrating the missionary presence and voice at the program and policy development level (board of directors).

We have previously outlined three key roles for UMMA which could be formalized and strengthened: 1) missionary presence within the Board of Directors, 2) shared leadership in mission forums (see below UMMA's initiative: "Rethink Mission: Reflection and Action"), and 3) initiating a program of hospitality for itinerating missionaries from the Two-thirds World (see also below "Proposed Shared Goals" revised during the annual gathering)*. A fourth role for UMMA emerged from the meeting with Roland Fernandes and other GBGM staff on Friday, August 14: 4) "participation and shared leadership in comprehensive review of missionary service through GBGM for the present century." We have already orally recommended that Jim Dwyer would to be the point person from UMMA.

To have an effective working relationship as an integral part of the life and work of GBGM requires openness and responsiveness on the part of both UMMA and GBGM. This is essential to maintain confidence and work effectively on issues of mutual concern in carrying out God's mission. On behalf of UMMA, I am prepared for us to become an even more effective part of GBGM's life and work going forward. We also need GBGM to make the changes now that will ensure that this will happen. - Jim Gulley, UMMA Chair

Addendum: Proposed Shared Goals 2010

GBGM missionary community more fully integrated into the life and work of the General Board of Global Ministries

Re-situate Missionary-in-Residence (MIR) position within office of the General Secretary and as a member of Cabinet
Mission forum: "Re-think Mission: Reflection and Action"
Initiate program of hospitality for itinerating GBGM's missionaries from the "two-thirds world"

Share leadership in reviewing missionary service for the 21st century [Jim Dwyer endorsed as UMMA's point person at the annual gathering, Oct 12, 2009]

Pension benefits
Active and retired missionary health benefits
Role of "longer-term missionary service" within GBGM
Among others ...

Explore UMMA's relationship with Women's Division [added Oct 12, 2009]

2. UMMA 2009 Annual Gathering and Business Meeting, October 12, 2009

Centering and Devotions Led by Hugh Johnson

Hugh offered an alternative interpretation of the story of the separation of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 in which the separation itself stands in self-contradiction to the criterion for the separation, which is inclusion of all in need. Hugh's lesson from this observation: We are called to practice inclusion, generosity, fellowship and love as a means of witness; the reign of God is among us. It is a call for great patience. God is present where we don't expect her.

Norma brought up an article in New World Outlook by C. Wesley Ariarajah about shifts in the church that included a willingness to be the minority and the search for an authentic Christian spirituality, including the need to be inclusive...

2008 Annual Gathering Minutes were approved.

Discussion: We did not get a response to the letter to Edith Gleaves copied to GS Ed Paup about the "at will" clause. Summary of the letter: Decision was made to write to Edith Gleaves (copied to Ed Paup and John Redman) expressing our concern about the "at will" clause. We have all been uncomfortable with this clause and decided to take action after a missionary who had been with the GBGM for 9.5 years was let go citing the "at will" clause. In the letter we also requested that all missionaries have a letter of agreement and that all missionaries are informed about an appeal procedure. It was suggested that missionary service should be viewed as parallel to the ordination of pastors.

We briefly discussed the issue of the quick succession of GSs since Randy Nugent. Nothing will change unless the new GS wants to bring about a cooperative, inclusive atmosphere. Jim has been copying all communications to Bishop Ough, beginning with our communications with Ed Paup around our meetings on June 2 and 3, and this has been crucial to maintaining an atmosphere of openness that can survive the departure of Ed Paup.

Annual Report of the Chairperson, James L. Gulley

Jim read his report; a summary will be available in the UMMA Update (see [1] above). Jim will email his full report to UMMA leadership, regional reps, task force chairs and former UMMA chairs. UMMA and GBGM continue to have a one-sided relationship although somewhat more cooperative. However UMMA has always had to assume responsibility and take initiative to get us together to look at and work on issues.

Proposed shared Goals 2010

GBGM missionary community more fully integrated into life and work of Global Ministries

Re-situate Missionary-in-Residence (MIR) position within office of General Secretary and member of Cabinet
Mission forum: "Re-think Mission: Reflection and Action"
Initiate Program of Hospitality for Itinerating GBGM's two-thirds-world Missionaries.

Participation and shared leadership in a comprehensive review of missionary service through GBGM for the present century - Jim Dwyer was proposed as lead person from the missionary community.

Pension benefits
Active and retired health benefits
Role of "longer-term missionary service"
Plus others

Explore our relationship with the Women's Division. We would like to meet with and develop a relationship with the Women's Division (WD).

We have always appreciated UMW support and need at this time to meet with them to understand better their new structure and intended relationship to mission personnel other than deaconesses and regional missionaries. Until recently UMMA was discouraged from meeting with any group inside the Board structure other than the Mission Personnel Program Unit. What is the role now with UMW and the Women's Division with regard to missionary personnel with the changes that have taken place? In the local church, UMW has often been the group that invites missionaries into the church. UMW units also encourage utilization of missionaries in Schools of Christian Mission.

Treasurer's Report: Dick Vreeland

On September 30, 2009 we had a cash balance of $9,397.59. Of this amount, $2,465.00 represents future dues payments made by 7 members who have paid for life memberships. Therefore, our available cash balance is about $6,900.00. The major expense still pending for this year is the cost of those persons attending the GBGM meeting in October. It should be noted that we have made an advance payment of $1,414.50 for the Rethink Mission meeting to be held in 2010. It is anticipated that this advance will be reimbursed as registrations are received.

Membership
2007: 259 full 70 affiliates
2008: 217 full and 34 affiliates
2009: 184 full and 26 affiliates [as of October 2009]

The good thing is we are getting new members from the missionary reunions. Norma moved we release the sum of $1000 designated for printing papers from 2007 Mission Forum to use for the next forum. The group endorsed the motion.

Communication Task Force 2009 Report by Richard L. Schwenk, chair

UMMA UpDate is sent out by email to about 900 addresses with an estimate of two persons reading each copy. Gene Matthews prints and sends about 20 copies to those members who do not yet have email capability. Stan Moore prints and gives copies to those who do not have email at Pilgrim Place. Stan and Beryl are some of our most active UMMA promoters in retirement communities. We need more like them in the other retirement communities who will encourage membership.

Ric motioned that we change web servers and moved acceptance, Dick seconded and it was unanimously passed. We've more than tripled the visits to our website - averaging 120 a month.

We will send complementary copies of the Update to the new missionaries (Church and Community Workers, Deaconesses, Home Missioners, GBGM (international), Mission Interns, National Plan for Hispanic and Latino Ministries and US-2s. We will highlight missionary websites in UMMA UpDate and publish a list of missionary websites on our UMMA website with emphasis on UMMA members. It is essential that all missionaries have websites promoting their work and cultivating their support of Advance projects.

Nan moved to have the 2010 UMMA meeting in Nashville in conjunction with the Forum on Edinburgh in order to have more missionaries at the gathering. Phil seconded this with an appendix to have the meeting during the Mission Forum. After discussion, it was agreed to hold the annual meeting on Sunday afternoon, October 17th, 2010. Unanimously approved. Consideration will be given to going over to Monday morning.

Pension and Benefits, Dick Vreeland

Nan moves that UMMA request and work towards a change in the retirement health benefits passed by the GBGM in April 2009. One of the changes passed was to require a minimum of 20 years of service instead of 15 in order to receive some supplemental retirement health benefits. We request that they revert to the 15-year rule for missionaries commissioned before April 2009. Phil seconded this and it was unanimously approved by UMMA delegates.

UMMA Officers and Steering Committee

Regional reps that have to go off and be replaced because they will complete the maximum term of eight years as of the end of 2009:

Jeff Hoover, Sub-Saharan Africa
Carol Seckel, Europe/North Africa/India
Sonia Strawn, East Asia/Pacific
Philip Wingeier-Rayo, USA

Other changes under consideration:
Diane Upchurch, Retirees - has not been active in communication; Jim G to verify interest.
Proposed replacement USA representative: Billie J. LaBumbard
Proposed replacement for Europe is Gorens or Randalls.
Proposed replacement USA: Helen Dwyer

We need to solicit proposals from the people in all the regions.

Nan moved for an amendment to the UMMA constitution, wording to be perfected by Jim Dwyer: The gist of the proposed amendment is that officers to the Administrative Council may be nominated and elected from outside the regionally delegated membership of the Steering Committee as elected by the Gathering, if necessary, and become a part of the Steering Committee by virtue of this election as an officer. Hugh Johnson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Officers are elected each year by those who attend the Annual Gathering to serve for two years. Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson - need a new person, Secretary, Treasurer, Coordinator Missionary-in-Residence, ex officio - not elected by UMMA

The following items were discussed and agreed upon:

The terms of Nan McCurdy and Lyda Pierce goes to 2010 (their first 2-year terms).
The revision of the constitution has been delegated to Jim Dwyer who will come back with recommendations next year.
Norma Kehrberg moved that Jim Gulley and Dick Vreeland continue in their present positions for the next two years. Hugh Johnson seconded and the motion was unanimously approved.
Jim Dwyer nominated Cathy Whitlatch for Vice-Chairperson and this was unanimously approved.
Hugh Johnson was re-elected for a four-year term ending 2013 and Hugh Frazer was reelected for a two-year term ending 2011, as retiree representatives.

Role of the MIR

The Gathering considered the role and specific experiences of the MIR in the course of the past year and offered the following propositions:

MIR must be allowed, indeed, encouraged to exercise a role of independent, appropriate advocacy without intimidation or fear of reprisal.

MIR office must have formal relations to persons to authority in various units of the Board beyond Missionary Services where the new structure locates MIR.

MIR needs access to those in power, those making decisions so that s/he can advocate for the mission vision brought by the missionary community.

Phil moves that UMMA write a letter thanking Helen for her service and courage as MIR.

We discussed how to find a new MIR and encourage strongly that the Board include UMMA in the MIR selection process. Jim will talk to Bruce Griffith about UMMA having a seat at the table on determining who will fill the MIR position.

3. GBGM Task Force Reports by Three UMMA Representatives

At the Fall Board Meeting the Operational Audit Report was presented by the chairs of the Task Forces assigned by President Bruce Ough. Each Task Force was comprised of directors and a staff person assigned to work with them and a missionary observer from the UMMA.

Governance Task Force Chair, Imelda Gonzalez, Staff - Sam Dixon; Location Task Force, Chair, Tim Bias, Staff - Roland Fernandes; and Implementation Task Force, Chair, Denise Honeycutt. Ed Paup served as staff on the first conference call, Roland Fernandes on conference call two, and Bishop Joel Martinez at the face to face meeting.

Following the presentations to the plenary issues were discussed. The majority of time was related to location issues and then due to lack of plenary time, secondarily, items related to location and implementation were addressed. There were questions of decision making between the implementation task force suggestions and the cabinet. Those issues were unresolved.

Short reports from UMMA Members Assigned to the Three Task Forces

Norma Kehrberg, Implementation Task Force

The Task Force was formed to monitor the progress of the 207 recommendations. The Task Force had two conference calls and one face to face meeting in New York two weeks prior to the board meeting. At the face to face meeting, in New York, cabinet staff assigned to the task force as well as other programmatic staff were present for parts of the meeting.

Each recommendation was reviewed and assessed as to whether the work was complete, in progress or had not started yet. This was the bulk of the report to the Board Meeting in Stamford. The chair reported that most of the items that had not started related to the office of the position of the General Secretary and other staff positions that were not filled as yet. In overall comments related to implementation task force, Denise Honeycutt, chair of the Implementation Task Force stated that the audit was a corporation style audit and did not look in depth at the programmatic ministries of the GBGM which might be considered "the heart and soul" of GBGM, thus, the Mission and Evangelism and perhaps even the UMCOR area need to be further reviewed strategically.

The Implementation Task Force will hold their next meeting as a conference call in early February at a time when it is hoped that a new General Secretary will be in position.

Lyda Pierce, Location Task Force

The board established a task force to consider whether or not the principal offices of the GBGM should stay where they are leased at the Interchurch Center in New York City or relocate to a building that would be owned by GBGM, either in the New York City area or another US metropolitan area. The question arose out of the audit report of the consulting firm which recommended GBGM consider moving to a building it would own (buy or build) because their analysis showed this would save money in the long run.

Lyda Pierce was nominated by UMMA and accepted by the board as an UMMA representative to have voice, but not vote on the task force. At the UMMA gathering with board and staff members, she shared that she had felt completely accepted by all the members of the committee and appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the reflection process, representing the missionary community.

The report of the location task force presented to the board members was a report of the current discussion, not a final decision. The task force members felt that a decision about location needed to be made not only on the basis of long-term financial plans but also in relationship to long term strategic planning for mission as well as what is financially feasible and what is best for the overall health of the organization. The basic word to the board was that it is not possible to decide right now to make a move because:

there is too much change in structure and staffing at the moment to begin a move
the analysis of the treasurer's office indicated that it is not currently financially realistic or feasible to raise the funds needed for a major capital investment
the board is in the process of developing a long-term strategy for mission, but that strategy is not yet clear enough to give direction for where the geographical location of the offices should be located.
CTA-- Call to Action -- of the Council of Bishops is reviewing the role and assignments of all Boards and Agencies, which may impact GBGM.

The task force did recommend that the possibility of having regional offices (such as in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe) be explored. The task force also recommended that the treasurer's office attempt to negotiate a new lease with the Interchurch Center that would be more flexible, thus allowing for the possibility of moving in a few years. (The current contract will end in 2011) The other recommendation was that the task force continue to meet with the expectation that over the next few months there would be more stability in financing, staffing and structure, reflection on the possibility of regional offices, and further development of the GBGM long-term strategic plan.

Joyce Hill, Governance Task Force

Chair, Imelda Gonzalez, Staff, Sam Dixon. The Task Force met through 4 conference calls and 2 face-to-face meetings. Its next meeting is scheduled January 25-26.

The three areas that the Task Force was asked to address were Board size, the structure of the Board and the need for Board members to understand and be committed to the work of the Board.

It has affirmed the need for a training program for directors to understand their role.

It has worked through preliminary suggestions related to the internal structure of the Board and the size of and representation on the Executive Committee for efficiency and effectiveness.

In relation to membership it has discussed the role of the Bishops on the Board.

It has a considerable amount of work left to do. The biggest issue will be working out the recommendations concerning the size of the Board.

The final recommendations will require changes in both the Board By-Laws and The Book of Discipline, the latter being made by the General Conference in 2012.

Nan McCurdy's Notes on the Task Force Reports From the Board Meeting

In the discussion that ensued after the reports, the governance task force proposed an Executive Committee size of about 17 and their proposed size of the Board would be 20% to 30% smaller than the current board (60 to 70 directors instead of 90).

In the suggested findings, the chair of the Executive Committee will also chair the Committee to Eliminate Institutional Racism as previously.

Each task force has a member of the Cabinet assigned to it. This builds in the necessary communication between task force and staff, and consultants sometimes meet with task force chairs and staff. Staff are to implement the mandates of the Board, monitoring the staff work and also bringing back reports to the task force from the staff.

Each staff person working with the various task force groups has been sharing the directions coming forth in the Cabinet. What is missing is the coordination of some of the information flow. Bishop Martinez stated in response to this, "If you get your strategic planning done, that will orient everyone, including staff, as to what priorities are and the commitment of resources for those priorities. The audit asks how can we do what we are doing more effectively. It did not tell us if we are doing the right things or if we need to make some changes in what we fundamentally are doing".

Denise Honeycutt made a clarification about recommendation 180 relating to "the discontinuation of the practice of employing missionaries as staff of the GBGM". She said that this recommendation is not discouraging those who have had missionary service from applying to be staff. She said the idea is that someone serving as a missionary should not be serving as a GBGM staff as a stop-gap for some positions. "So we are encouraging the commitment, wisdom and experience of the missionary community and hope they will apply to serve in staff positions". [emphases added]

Discussion on the implementation task force and that of the location task force was abbreviated due to lack of plenary time.

4. Our Readers Write

Dear Richard, The Advance has a free monthly email newsletter called Advancing Hope, which gives updates on United Methodist missionaries and projects. The Advance is an accountable, designated giving arm of The United Methodist Church that ensures 100% of each gift reaches its intended mission or ministry. You decide which program or ministry to support through The Advance. The Advance is part of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. The Advance protects the privacy of our supporters by not renting or selling any personal information; we do not share, rent, or sell email addresses. - Rachael Barnett, Mission Support Liaison. P.S. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

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Richard, many thanks for all the work that you and the rest of the UMMA team do. We have some real concerns as to the direction our GBGM is going because it is the mission of our Lord through the UMC that is being projected. - Keith and Marilynn Hamilton

Richard, your readers may be interested to know of my most recent book, Unpredictable Crossing. Some good reviews are posted on Amazon.com. Former missionary colleagues were surprised at the amount of detail I reveal about the daily life and activities on our mission station as I stayed very close to what actually transpired on a daily basis., Unspoken Farewell. Malarial Fevers is based on the personal papers and letters of Harriet Sage Bennett who was one of the first missionaries to Mozambique in 1887. These books are in the fiction category since I have to create the conversations. Order from Jonna-Lynn Mandelbaum () or at www.jonna-lynn.com.

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Richard Deats, former missionary to the Philippines, is one of the foremost authorities on active nonviolence. He is a writer, story teller, humorist, musician, preacher, activist and nonviolence trainer who has witnessed internationally for justice and peace. He is the former executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and editor emeritus of Fellowship Magazine. His most recent book, Marked for Life, is about international FOR trainer Hildegard Goss-Mayr, and is a companion to his books on Martin Luther King, Jr., (Spirit-Led Prophet) and Mahatma Gandhi (Nonviolent Liberator). Earlier books include Ambassador of Reconciliation: A Muriel Lester Reader, How to Keep Laughing Even Though You've Considered All the Facts, and Active Nonviolence: A Way of Life, A Strategy for Change.

"We should remember that no effort, no action that we carry out through the force of Love and Truth is ever Lost."
- Hildegard Goss-Mayr

"The job of the peacemaker is to stop war. To purify the world. To get it saved from poverty and riches. To heal the sick. To comfort the sad. To wake up those who have not yet found God. To create joy and beauty wherever you go. To find God in everything, and in everyone." - Muriel Lester

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

5. Missionary Milestones

Eva Jean Wise Wehrman, 78, passed into life eternal on September 30, 2009. She served 39-plus years in the Philippines. She answered God's call to mission at Asbury College. While there she met Richard Wehrman and they married in 1954. They were commissioned as missionaries and served in seven places in the Philippines from 1955 to 1995. Eva preached and taught in two Philippine languages. Her concern for families and Christian Education led to counseling opportunities, development of curriculum and leadership in Bible studies. These ministries resulted in the transformation of churches and many persons are now in ministry because of her influence and work. She is survived by two sisters, her husband, Richard; two daughters and their families. Her daughters and their spouses continue the legacy of gracious ministry and concern for God's mission.

6. "Rethink Mission: Reflection and Action" Background by Norma Kehrberg

June 2010 will mark the 100-year anniversary of the 1910 Edinburgh Missionary Conference. The initiative for that conference was led by John R. Mott, a Methodist layman. At the time, mission was primarily viewed as the work of individuals of the North American and European churches. C. Wesley Ariarajah stated that in 1938 at a Third Mission Conference in Tambaram, Madras, the emphasis changed to "advocacy of the church" as the primary agent of mission. At a meeting of the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism in Mexico City in 1963, the concept of the mission of God or (mission Dei) emerged. The concept of the mission of God prevails today.

On the occasion of the 100-year anniversary a group of committed United Methodists with a passion for mission are organizing the October 14-17, 2010 "Rethink Mission" Conference to be held at Scarritt Bennett Center, the historic seat of Methodist missionary and Christian education training.

Selected study themes forming the Edinburgh 2010 process have been identified to guide the time together. They include Christian communities in contemporary contexts, Christian mission among other faiths, forms of missionary engagement, mission spirituality and authentic discipleship, and mission and power.

Dr. C. Wesley Ariarajah has identified four shifts in mission in an article in the May –June 1999 issue of New World Outlook. The four shifts are: 1) from an understanding of mission as exclusive to inclusive, 2) from a focus on conversion to a focus on healing, 3) from the intention to be the majority to a willingness to be a minority and 4) from an insistence on doctrinal conformity to a search for an authentic Christian spiritual life. The program committee feels that these theological understandings of mission, although identified ten years ago have yet to be addressed and hope to offer time during the "Rethink Mission Conference" for discussion and dialogue. The time together is also being planned to include finding ways to reengage the UMC in cross-cultural mission. All this while recognizing the hugely popular Volunteer in Mission Program and the fact that mega-churches may be replacing or enriching former and even current mission boards. - Norma Kehrberg, Convener Rethink Mission Conference, October 14-17, 2009.

Download the agenda and registration information flyer here (pdf).

We welcome your comments: