Message Points
Messages
:05 Second Message
The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the mission arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
:20 Second Message
The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the mission arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
For more than 175 years, we’ve been part of the Presbyterian family—connecting Presbyterians for mission and ministry in the United States and more than 50 other countries.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency inspires, equips, and connects the PC(USA) to serve Christ in the world through new and existing communities of faith, hope, love, and witness.
2:00 Minute Message
The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the mission arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
For more than 175 years, we’ve been part of the Presbyterian family—connecting Presbyterians for mission and ministry in the United States and more than 50 other countries.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency inspires, equips, and connects the PC(USA) to serve Christ in the world through new and existing communities of faith, hope, love, and witness
by working to cultivate, nurture, and sustain diverse, transformational leaders for Christ’s mission;
by encouraging compassionate and prophetic discipleship by making, receiving, and sending disciples who demonstrate and proclaim God’s justice, peace, and love in an increasingly globalized world;
by igniting a movement within the PC(USA) that results in the creation of 1001 new worshiping communities;
by engaging and joining with young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission;
by engaging with, responding to, resourcing, and representing the General Assembly in alignment with the vision and mission for the Presbyterian Mission Agency;
by ensuring organizational integrity by building confidence, trust, and engagement in all that the Presbyterian Mission Agency does.
2:00 Minute Message (by structure)
The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the mission arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
For more than 175 years, we’ve been part of the Presbyterian family—connecting Presbyterians for mission and ministry in the United States and more than 50 other countries.
The Presbyterian Mission Agency inspires, equips, and connects the PC(USA) to serve Christ in the world through communities of faith, hope, love, and witness
Through Compassion, Peace and Justice ministries—working to make God’s community livable for all
- working to end poverty, oppression, and injustice
- responding to natural and human-made disasters around the world
- caring for God’s creation
Through Evangelism and Church Growth Ministries—working with individuals and congregations
- To share the good news of Christ’s love
- To strengthen existing churches and to plant new ones
Through Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries—helping the church better reflect the makeup of our communities
- cultivating leaders for the church among all races and cultures
Through Theology, Worship and Education ministries—teaching people to think, pray, and live their faith
- within congregations
- through theological education
- by publishing top-notch discipleship curriculum in English, Spanish, and Korean
Through Vocation ministries—nurturing leaders for the church
- supporting military chaplains in their ministry
Through Presbyterian World Mission—bringing God’s global family together to heal the wounds of poverty and violence and to proclaim God’s saving love
- sending and supporting almost 200 mission co-workers in more than 50 countries
- bringing global partners and U.S. Presbyterians together to form communities of mission practice
Who is the Presbyterian Mission Agency?
The Presbyterian Mission Agency is the mission arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
- We are Presbyterians—YOUR mission agency.
- We are members of the Presbyterian family.
What does the Presbyterian Mission Agency do?
Inspire, equip, and connect the PC(USA) in its many expressions to serve Christ in the world through new and existing communities of faith, hope, love, and witness
- by working to cultivate, nurture, and sustain diverse, transformational leaders;
- by encouraging compassionate and prophetic discipleship;
- by igniting a movement that results in the creation of 1,001 new worshiping communities;
- by engaging and joining with young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission;
- by engaging with, responding to, resourcing, and representing the General Assembly;
- by ensuring organizational integrity.
How is the Presbyterian Mission Agency organized?
Our governing board is made up of 40 voting and 15 corresponding members plus two ecumenical advisors.
The mission agency is made up of
- nearly 350 employees;
- 200 mission personnel in 50 countries
Six mission areas carry out the agency’s work:
- Compassion, Peace and Justice works to make God’s community livable for all.
- Evangelism and Church Growth grows the church in evangelism.
- Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries grows the church in diversity.
- Theology, Worship and Education grows the church in discipleship.
- Vocation nurtures leaders for the church.
- Presbyterian World Mission brings God’s global family together to heal the wounds of poverty
and violence and to proclaim God’s saving love in Jesus Christ.
Additional ministries and programs support these efforts:
- Mission Resources tells the mission story.
- Stewardship grows funding for mission.
Compassion, Peace and Justice
- Works to make God’s community livable for all
- Advocates for justice, freedom, and human fulfillment
- Restores communities affected by disaster
- Helps people help themselves
- Promotes peace and resolution to conflict
Guided by Isaiah 58:6–12—(The Message) “You’ll be known as those who . . . make the community livable again.”
Evangelism and Church Growth
Grows healthy churches and worshiping communities for the 21st century
- Encourages passion for Jesus and service to community
- Engages congregations with their neighborhoods
Guided by John 1:14—(The Message) “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”
Racial Ethnic & Women’s Ministries
Helps the church better reflect God’s beloved community
- Equips racial ethnic congregations
- Develops multicultural communities of faith
- Builds leaders of every race and gender
- Works for racial and gender justice
Guided by Acts 2:1, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place,” and by Galatians 3:28, “There is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
Theology, Worship and Education
- Teaches Presbyterians to think, pray, and live the faith
- Forms discipleship communities within the PC(USA)
- Provides theological, liturgical, and educational support
- Engages the church in faith conversations
- Supports theological education through twelve PC(USA)-related seminaries
Guided by Romans 12:2—“Be transformed by the renewal of your minds so that you may discern what is the will of God.”
Vocation
Calls forth and nurtures leaders for Christ’s mission
- Helps Presbyterians discern and respond to their calling in all aspects of life
- Equips leaders to serve where the church has need
- Assists mid council ministry committees in their work
- Is a shared ministry with the Office of the General Assembly
Guided by 1 Corinthians 12:4–6—“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.”
Presbyterian World Mission
Engages Presbyterians in faithful and effective mission throughout the world
- Sends and supports almost 200 mission co-workers in more than 50 countries
- Connects Presbyterians in the U.S., global partners, and mission workers
- Focuses on three critical global issues:
- Addressing the root causes of poverty, particularly as it impacts women and children
- Engaging in reconciliation amidst cultures plagued by violence
- Evangelism—sharing the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ
- For more info: www.pcusa.org/worldmission
Guided by Matthew 28:19–20—“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
Communications and Funds Development
Mission Resources
Publishes print and electronic resources to interpret the work of the Presbyterian Mission Agency
- Presbyterians Today magazine tells the mission story in articles and pictures.
- Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study offers daily prayers and mission stories from mission workers and presbyteries.
- Presbyterian Planning Calendar equips Presbyterian leaders for mission and ministry.
Guided by 2 Timothy 2:2—“What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.”
Stewardship
Inspires and equips presbyteries to increase funding for mission
- Promotes a mindset of abundance and generosity as a means to fund Christ’s mission
- Enhances giving to mission as an act of Christian financial discipleship
- Provides counsel, models, and resources to increase funding
Guided by 2 Corinthians 9:8—“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
How is the Presbyterian Mission Agency funded?
The Presbyterian Mission Agency receives its funding from a variety of sources. (Details can be found at the back of the 2011 Annual Report.)
- Funding for General Mission (unrestricted, undesignated)
- Shared Mission Support
- Unrestricted funds from endowments, bequests, and annuities
- Funding for Specific Mission (designated, restricted giving)
- Designated Giving (Directed Mission Support and Extra Commitment Opportunities)
- Special Offerings (such as One Great Hour of Sharing)
- Specific Appeals for disaster relief and other causes
- Restricted Funding from Bequests and Annuities and funds from endowments
- Sale of Resources, services, and curriculum
- 25 percent of our budget comes from unrestricted funds, 71 percent from restricted funds, and 4 percent of our budget comes from per capita, to be used for very specific functions such as governance.
We declare in the Book of Order that “Christ calls the Church into being, giving it all that is necessary for its mission to the world” (F-1.0202).
Because we can do far more together than any of us could do individually, we invite individuals, congregations, and presbyteries to join in funding and carrying out Christ’s mission through the ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
Both shared and designated mission giving are faithful ways to support Christ’s mission.
