Motion re Overseas Policy Statement
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official4053
- Date
- 1971 January - February
- Source
- General Synod. Minutes
- Type
- Resolution
- Act [41]
- Seconder
- Mrs. B. Larson
- Prologue
- Moved by: The Bishop of Cariboo
- Seconded by: Chancellor R.H. Soward
- That this General Synod affirms the Overseas Policy Statement, approved by the Program Committee, endorsed by the National Executive Council, and found as an Appendix to the Report of the National and World Program Division.
- A procedural motion was then introduced as follows:
- Moved by: The Venerable M.G. Peers
- Seconded by: Mr. A. Judd
- That the above motion be tabled.
- The motion was put and defeated -- 102 - 53.
- Text of motion
- That the original motion have added to it the words, `subject to continuous review'." CARRIED IN BOTH HOUSES
- Notes
- The mover and seconder of the original motion agreed to the addition of the words, `subject to continuous review'.
- APPENDIX : OVERSEAS POLICY STATEMENT
- The Division of National and World Program of the Anglican Church of Canada includes that area of the Church's work often called missionary work overseas.
- There is so much to be done, and in many ways our time seems to be short. We must, therefore, as good stewards determine what we can do, and where we can do it.
- As human situations, experience and understanding have changed, so the goals of overseas work are expressed in changing emphasis. As always, the church's task or mission is to proclaim the Lordship of Christ, the importance and worth of the individual, the brotherhood of all men, and the need of God's reconciling love for all in all the world. This involves such activities as evangelism, conversion, and witness, and in today's changed world it involves an increasing emphasis on the need for "development work" and "service".
- The underlying concept of mission is not so much the taking of the Christian Church from here to there, but rather using the diverse resources of a global church to enable a Christian community in its local expression to develop as an instrument of service to those outside its doors. With the re-emphasis of this concept we look again at our objectives, our means, our priorities, and our programs. Four principles are basic to our policy.
- First: That programs undertaken overseas must include or contribute to the growth of local leadership with the use of local resources, both human and material, so that the end product is indigenous and not merely a transplant from a foreign culture. The personnel who we support overseas should therefore, be employed in training and planning with local leaders so that new resources in that situation are developed. So too, the money that we send should be used for purposes of building up the local church and community by training programs, or by creating experiments and resources for the same end.
- Second: That there be continuous dialogue between us and the church which we assist with personnel or money. To work acceptably, we must listen sensitively to the people we seek to serve. We must learn to plan with them, not for them. We must have conversations with people on the spot, and with them we must examine and evaluate the programs. We cannot impose any preconceived ideas of development. On the contrary, because Christ is already there, we must serve him by serving his people there.
- Third: That projects accepted should be part of a planned program, the objectives of which are consistent with the other principles of this policy. Ideally, projects should be provincial or regional in scope. This, however, does not exclude projects which are of an experimental nature.
- Fourth: That the principle of ecumenism is central to our work. Whenever possible we shall consult with and act with other Christian bodies, governments, and secular agencies. We must avoid overlap, and also ensure the fullest use of the total available resources.
- Within the context of the above process, and in cooperation with the other Divisions, the Division of National and World Program seeks to keep the Anglican Church of Canada aware of, and involved in, our work overseas.
- [Recorded as No. 41 in Acts of Synod, p. 67. List of Acts includes actions which are NOT resolutions/acts.]
- Subjects
- Overseas Policy Statement
- Missions - Anglican Church of Canada
- Partnership in Mission - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada. National and World Program Division
- Mission statements - Anglican Church of Canada
- Mission of the church - Anglican Church of Canada