Current Mission Opportunities

Congregation Mission Teams

If you are keen on missions there are lots of ways you can serve. You can lead prayer for mission in church services, man the Tradewinds Stall once a month after church, or be a TEAR representative. You can also help organise the annual missions dinner, missions conference, pancake dinner, or World Vision 40 Hour famine.

Contact your congregation minister for more details.

 

 

 

Short-term exposure and intense mission and social justice experiences

St Hilary's & St Silas is keen to encourage a culture of people stepping out in faith and exploring mission and social justice. With this in mind, the Mission and Social Justice Board supports congregation members' involvement with short-term exposure or intense mission or social justice experiences. We see particular value in the educational aspect of such activities in the lives of the individuals involved, and the potential for educating the broader St Hilary's & St Silas Church on completion. As these things can be costly, we invite prospective individuals to apply to us for a small grant, which recognises St Hilary's & St Silas Church support of their involvement with mission and social justice. Please note that our budget in this regard is quite limited. What we do want to encourage is a meaningful partnership between you and St Hilary's & St Silas.

It is suggested that all members of St Hilary's & St Silas congregations should notify their service leader or the Mission and Social Justice Board if they intend to pursue a short term experience. It is helpful in coordination and providing support for St Hilary's & St Silas Church to be aware of your plans.

 

Planning for your experience

The Mission and Social Justice Board strongly encourages individuals to build realistic expectations about their experience, including the possibilities for personal learning and growth, potential challenges and the limitations of what can be achieved in a short time period. We also think it is important that individuals carefully consider which, if any, other organizations they will work with - their compatibility of theology and worldview and the reputation of such organizations.

 

The proposed experience

• What do you want to do?
• Why are your interested in doing this?
• Is it in Australia, or overseas? Please specify.
• How long will this activity take?
• Who is organising this experience?
• What do you hope to achieve? How do you see this benefiting people outside of Shac?
• What do you hope to learn?

Support for the journey

 

The Missions and Social Justice Board encourages individuals who are looking at short-term involvement with missions and social justice to optimise their experience by complementing it with quality training and debriefing. We strongly suggest that gathering a team of people to support you is worthwhile for your own wellbeing, and for those that are involved with your activities through supporting you. It's also important that individuals consider the range of things they may experience (both positive and negative) in their involvement with missions and social justice, as this can help them to be appropriately prepared and get the most out of their experience.

What training will you do in preparation for this experience?

• Will you attend the Missions Interlink Short-Term Training (MIST) at St Andrew's Hall?
• Have you received affirmation, encouragement, etc in pursuing this activity from other Christians? Please explain.
• Have you begun to pray about this experience? Who will be supporting you in prayer?
• What support would you like from your St Hilary's & St Silas?
  
• How are you financing your experience?
• Are you seeking support from others? If so, please specify.
• Would you consider debriefing services offered through the Mission and Social Justice Board or Keriva?
• What personal/emotional/spiritual cost do you expect to pay for this experience? What personal/emotional/spiritual benefits do you hope to gain?
• Who will care for you during this experience? Who will you be in communication with? (ie. Your small group leader, a mission agency, your service leader, the Mission and Social Justice Board, etc.)

 

St Hilary's & St Silas and you

It is hoped that your experience will benefit the broader church community as you speak with small groups, congregations and individuals. The Missions and Social Justice Board feel that there is great potential for the education, involvement and encouragement of many people through the experience of one individual. It is also hoped that a short-term experience with mission or social justice might inspire further involvement in the future.

• How will you engage the wider church community with your experience?
• How can your experience benefit the wider community?
• Are you prepared to inform the Mission and Social Justice Board about your experiences?
• Would you be prepared to speak to small or larger groups when you have completed the activity?
• What other mission or social justice activities would you be interested in being involved in with St Hilary's & St Silas in the future?

Explore Mission Network

Explore Mission Network has been organised to help people interested in Mission explore further how God might be calling them to serve.

For more information contact Richard More at exploremission@tpg.com.au or 0402301541

Their first seminar event for 2007 will be held at Crossway Baptist Church 17th February 9am to 12 noon. Cost is $5, and a childrens programme is now available. Tim Meyers head of Pioneers will speak and there are several very relevant workshops to choose from. 

Useful links

www.missiontravel.com.au