From Talk to Power: Application ofTogether towards Lifein Local Churches

Abstract

While Together towards Life (TTL) offers a fresh and compelling statement of the meaning of mission and evangelism, it is delivered a dense and highly compressed text. The author of this article argues that order for TTL's rich propositional statements to be received and enacted by churches and agents of mission, they must be expressed familiar firms such as priers and songs, Bible studies and stories, pictures, and action points--Through the creation of toolkits that would offer a range of materials to be deployed as required. TTL's particular call for spiritual engagement accords with the changing landscapes of world Christianity, where new movements, especially the global South, have critiqued the cerebral and institutional forms that Christian faith has taken the West. The article concludes that the affirmation invites us to be in the to become part of the movement of the Spirit of God the life of the world, inspired by the passion that arises through the mission of God. the kingdom of God does not consist talk but power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 A pregnant moment The adoption, by the Central Committee of the WCC, of the new affirmation on mission and evangelism, Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism Changing Landscapes (TTL), September 2012 marks a wonderful moment the story of the worldwide church. (1) From across a very wide spectrum of world Christianity we have discovered that there is so much that we can say together about mission and evangelism. The importance of this achievement is highlighted if we consider what might have happened. The collusion of Christian mission with Western colonialism could have led to mission being completely discredited. The perception that mission involves an aggressive and oppositional stance, threatening peace and causing conflict, could have led to the quiet side-lining of mission and evangelism, with the WCC statement of 1982 gradually receding into distant memory. Instead we have a fresh and compelling statement that places mission and evangelism at the heart of the church's self-understanding. It frankly acknowledges the human error that has caused mission to be misunderstood or misused on occasion the past. It finds new direction and energy for mission by tracing it back to its origins the triune life of God and, particular, to the engagement of the Spirit of God with the life of the world. Rather than mission being about the aggrandizement of any community or interest group, its true nature is understood terms of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which brings the transforming love of God into the life of the world. Our calling is to discern where and how the Holy Spirit is working--and to join in. The evident reality that this Spirit-centred understanding of mission has struck a chord across such a wide spectrum of a still highly fragmented world church brings us truly to a moment of grace. Formed as we are by different histories, different theologies, and different spiritualities, we have found a point of convergence the Spirit-oriented vision of mission, which is set out TTL. For those who have mission and evangelism at heart it is a moment pregnant with possibility. This is cause for much thankfulness, but it is also a distinctly challenging situation--Will we take the opportunity it presents and make the most of it? Or will we fail to realize its rich possibilities? Specifically, will it remain the preserve of specialist scholars, professional mission functionaries, and ecumenical activists, or will it become a motivating power for the other 2,354,523,000 people who make up the world church? (2) It is safe to say that the great majority of the worldwide membership of the church have not heard of TTL. Nor are they likely to if it remains a text exclusively aimed at the specialist. Grassroots reception of the new affirmation In my own context I am responsible for a small network of churches on the west coast of Scotland. …