Mission Unit Conference Report 2017 Semongkong Childrens Centre A - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Mission Unit Conference Report 2017

Semongkong Children’s Centre A Connexional Project

Semongkong Children’s Centre The old hospital / proposed health centre

Donkeys and horses

The children in front of the church building

Children’s Accommodation

The green house showing vegetable gardening

The School Building

The Church Building

Pamphlet promoting assistance to the SCC

Report On the Mission Congress

MCSA Presiding Bishop, Rev Ziphozihle Siwa opens the MCSA Mission Congress 2016

Praise and worship

Plenary Presenters: Dr Bunmi Olayisade, Rev Sidwell Mokgothu and Ms Almuth Zipf

Elective Inputs

Participants engage in elective discussions

Participants engaging during tea break

Delegates • There were approximately 300 people at the Congress – this was made up of 15 delegates from each District, 4 from Namibia, 4 from Lesotho, 2 from Swaziland, 5 from Botswana and 15 from Mozambique. The gender balance was 45% female to 55% male. Approximately 20 % of the attendees were under the age of 36. However, only 3 percent were under the age of 26. With regard to the clergy/lay balance, 40 percent were clergy, 51 percent lay and 9 percent seminary students.

Mission Congress Stats

Balance and Participation • The balance between the genders, the young and not so young, country representation and race proportionality is to be celebrated. • The level of participation – the people who were there were not the normal conference attendees. There was a freshness and an eagerness to participate.

Inclusivity • The worship was another example of inclusivity – it was multi-lingual and multi- cultural. • This was the first time that there was a translation service at an MCSA event – this contributed towards creating an inclusive environment for the Portuguese participants.

Responses from some of the participants • It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of this Mission congress. • It has been an inspiring and motivating Congress. • A very informative Mission Congress. • A lot has been gained. • This Mission Congress has touched and moved me and ignited me with God’s spirit. • It was very informative and inspiring and also very challenging. • I feel very inspired and rejuvenated and energetic to go back to my circuit and plough back what I’ve gained.

Challenges and Opportunities for a Missional Response • Ministry to with, among and for children and young people • Resourcing mission in rural areas as opposed to urban areas and the formation of leadership for diverse missional contexts • Racism, tribalism, gender relationships • Evangelism • Migration and the fluidity of communities • The issue of food sovereignty and environmental justice

WAY FORWARD • A Missional Engagement Model • Workshopping of the Mission Congress Workbook • Using the Listening Committee Report as a Liturgy