Ambitious new mission initiative in Sudan is approved in concept.

At meetings in Elgin, Ill., Oct. 15-17 the General Board accepted a proposal for a new Church of the Brethren mission initiative in Sudan and approved it "as a concept for implementation and development."

"There is new opportunity to walk with the Sudanese in a healing and reconciling way, and to work together to rebuild their land," said the proposal in part. The proposal calls for an ambitious 2006 budget in excess of $1 million with a projection of quickly fielding 20-plus mission workers. Mission workers would do a variety of work to help rebuild Sudan following the civil war, such as health care and education, with direction from indigenous agencies such as the New Sudan Council of Churches. The board's discussion indicated it is likely that church planting will be added to the mission workers' tasks.

The proposal was brought through the Mission and Ministries Planning Council by an ad-hoc group of more than 20 former General Board staff and mission workers, along with others who attended the Mission Alive '05 conference this past spring. Two members of the group were present to speak to the board: Roger Schrock, a former executive of the General Board's World Ministries Commission, and Merlyn Kettering, a consultant for the General Board's work with the New Sudan Council of Churches.

The "need is terrific" in Sudan, said Global Mission Partnership executive director Merv Keeney as he introduced the proposal. He and other presenters couched it as a new mission initiative for the denomination "with initial mission program in south Sudan." They outlined a vision to expand the initiative, tailored for countries emerging from violent conflict, to other such areas in Africa.

There is no functioning social organization other than the church in southern Sudan, Keeney told the board, and the Brethren mission will be part of a large international effort to rebuild the country's infrastructure. Kettering challenged the board to say "yes" to the proposal, to say "we want to be involved in the rebuilding of Sudan, and doing it the way the Brethren can do it."

Discussion around the board table included the possibility of the new mission being carried out in cooperation with the councils of churches in Sudan as well as with sister Churches of the Brethren in Nigeria and other countries. Before presentation to the board, the proposal had been reviewed by leaders of the New Sudan Council of Churches, Haruun Ruun and Emmanuel Lowilla.

The General Board's more than 25 years of relationship with Sudan is "an important basis" for the new initiative, Keeney said. Past General Board mission programs in Sudan have included a rural health program, the training of pastors, theological education, Bible translation, food distribution and relief efforts, a peace program, and financial support of staff of the New Sudan Council of Churches. "The Sudanese are saying, you've walked with us in difficult times, walk with us now," Keeney said.

Many questions focused on the proposal's "faith mission model" of funding that differs from the current way the board funds mission. The proposal for Sudan has missionaries raising their own support and salaries along with a percentage for administration, seeking direct sponsorship from congregations. Those presenting the proposal said the proposing group has people "poised to give" to start the mission, as well as people ready to go to Sudan as mission workers.

During the discussion, some wondered if the new funding model will damage the board's fundraising for its core ministries. Others were concerned about the ability for mission workers to sustain a commitment to the people of Sudan under such a structure. As churches are planted there also is a concern about how to commit to new congregations under such a structure. Finance office staff said that the proposed funding model would be inconsistent with current financial policies. If the proposed funding model is adopted the board may need to examine how other ministry areas are in conversation with their constituents about funding.

"All of our concerns look like things we can talk through and solve," Keeney told the board. "The question before us is where is God leading us?"

Board members agreed, although reservations continued to be expressed throughout discussion of the proposal. After saying that he still had lots of questions, board member Dale Minnich affirmed, "I don't know how we can't do it. Is God asking us to go? We have to discern that together, but I think the answer is yes," he said. "But it's a leap of faith."

In approving the proposal in concept the board referred to the 1989 Annual Conference paper Mission Theology and Guidelines. It also referred to a resolution passed in July calling the Church of the Brethren to new opportunities in Sudan following the peace accords signed in January that ended years of civil war.

The board identified several areas where it still had questions, including the christology of the proposal, details of church planting plans, the funding model, the name of the mission, and partnering details. The General Board and staff will engage in further dialogue about the mission initiative in Sudan in future Executive Committee and General Board meetings.

Source: 10/27/2005 Special Newsline
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