June 30, 2009
Written by Rebecca Bowman Woods

The 27th General Synod underscored the importance of Global Ministries' "Be a Global Mission Church" initiative Tuesday morning, voting to adopt a resolution asking all settings of the UCC to pursue the Global Mission Church designation.

The Global Mission Church initiative connects local congregations and other settings of the church to overseas mission. Global Ministries asks those entities that adopt the Global Mission designation to enter into a specific process to become a Global Mission Church. Churches adopting the designation are asked to embrace certain practices: praying for partners and missionaries, educating members about overseas mission, seeking justice for the international community, receiving the gifts of the global church, and financially supporting global mission.

The resolution, "A Call to Be Global Mission Churches in the United Church of Christ," was submitted by Wider Church Ministries. Global Ministries is the combined overseas witness of Wider Church Ministries and the Division of Overseas Ministries within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Disciples' General Assembly will consider a similar resolution when it meets July 29-Aug. 2.

According to the resolution, implementation will be shared by local churches, Associations and Conferences; the Office of General Ministries; Wider Church Ministries; Justice and Witness Ministries; and Local Church Ministries.

More information on Global Ministries' Be a Global Mission Church initiative is available at http://globalministries.org/about-us/be-a-global-mission-church.html.

United Church of Christ News Service