Our 'DNA'

So, let me give a bit more background...

When we got together on that Saturday (12th June 2010), we began with a couple of questions:

Who are we? 

Here, we wanted to identify our 'DNA' as a church, reflecting on what we saw from our history, survey and what was going on around our church. Here's the list of things we nutted out as a Missions Team and Board:

• we have an established long tradition in missions (and other aspects) over these 95 years.
• we have a desire to help the poor 
• we enjoy serving/doing something 
• much of our church is professional/well-educated (medical, education, self-employed, media) 
• we are a relational/community church 
• we have many families incl children/youth who want/need to get engaged
• we are generous and respond to need when we hear it (whether requires time, energy, or finance) 
• we are committed to the Bible 
• we have cultural diversity (After native born kiwis, we have many people from Asian countries who have moved here) 
• we have a broad range of interest/focus for missions (eg church planting, poverty aid, social justice, theological education, translation…) 
• we have a particularly affinity with Asia (over above areas such as Africa, Pacific Island and Middle East). 

What would we like to see in future Global Missions?
These are various dreams/aspects thrown around as possibilities for research/further discussion by the group . . .

• an encouragement for new generations of career missionaries 
• an involvement of all ages/cultures engaging in global missions
• an approach congruent with our DNA 
• a connection/congruence with our local and national mission 
• genuine partnerships where we give and receive in relationship 
• holistic ministry/mission occurring 
• upholding the importance of prayer and giving opportunities for this 
• hands on involvement and opportunities 
• working with our local community 
• a potential building project overseas while we born something here ourselves 
• the sale of coffee/trade aid, t-shirts, freeset bags etc which 1) raises awareness of suffering in other areas, and 2) provides financial assistance to these areas. 
• People hearing and experiencing stories 

These provided some scope to send to mission agencies to begin researching options for us to consider.