Introduction to 2012 Mission Together

In addition to all the usual opportunities for mission that individual Christians and churches have at local, regional and national level, 2012 provides an opportunity for mission together on a new scale.

With the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympic Games, we are beginning to hear stories of 20, 30 and 40 churches working together - sometimes in ways they have never worked before.

This page is an introduction to this amazing opportunity, specifically to help local churches work together in serving their community and in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

These 6 windows on 2012 Mission Together are written for the novice. Experienced Christians who have belonged to Churches Together groups for years will find some of the material obvious, though I hope still helpful and informative. The person I have in mind in writing these words is the ordinary Christian, daunted by the task, perhaps confused, but at the same time inspired by the opportunity and keen to be used in whichever way the Lord leads in helping the churches locally work together, whether they are used to it or not.

This is why I have written a page of basic principles for churches working together in mission.

Much of this material will be about doing things together. This is fantastic and an exciting way to be ecumenical (from the Greek, 'oecumenical' meaning 'whole inhabited earth' / universal church), and one answer to Jesus prayer from John 17 which you can consider with the bible study from Bishop Graham Cray. As Bishop Cray explores, the full answer to Jesus prayer is not just about 'doing things' but 'being together' with the emphasis on prayer. I therefore hope that you will find time to listen to Christians from other traditions and be excited to learn about their role in the body of Christ, with the gifts they bring, especially if they are different to your own. Mission does not leave us unchanged.

So, you will find signposts on these pages to where you can get help and information, as well as ideas for working together, and inspiration to mission together in 2012. It starts with prayer.

Jim Currin, 17/01/2012