Future Directions
The world is changing
The global church is changing
The Australian church is changing
So how does all this change impact the way we do mission? That was the starting point of our Future Directions process. And now, we have a strategic and Spirit-led framework that will guide the way Baptist Mission Australia engages with God’s mission for the coming season.
How is the world changing?
In 1900, 80% of Christians lived in the Global North, which includes regions such as Europe and North America. Today, almost 70% live in the Global South! By 2050, it’s estimated that this figure will rise to almost 80%.*
The centre of global Christianity has shifted dramatically in the past 100 years. And yet 3.4 billion people have still not experienced the good news of Jesus in ways that make sense to them.
*Source: Todd M. Johnson and Gina A. Zurlo, World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd ed.(Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2019), 4.
The world’s population continues to be rapidly urbanised. The negative effects of climate change disproportionately impact vulnerable people. Inequality between rich and poor continues to widen, and conflict is displacing millions of people.
The nations have come to Australia. This has been an incredible blessing to our Baptist movement as we have welcomed passionate believers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
But there are still many migrants, refugees and students without Christian friends who can share the Gospel with them in an understandable way. How does all this change impact the way we do mission?
Our Future Directions
Innovation, change and responding to God’s world as it actually is, has always been part of the Baptist Mission Australia story. It’s an enduring thread of our 150+ years of ministry.
Over the past year, we’ve undertaken a strategic discernment process that has led to our Future Directions paper. We started this process with open hands. We prayed, listened, researched, asked questions and consulted widely. We looked back and forward. In every step, we sought to discern the fresh winds of the Holy Spirit.
Where are we being led?
Our Four Key Causes
We’ve articulated four keys causes that drive our ministry today and into the future.
Flourishing faith communities
Local community transformation
Passionate missional leadership
Innovative partnerships
In pursuing these key causes we will broaden our mission approach, responding to changing global needs and opportunities.
Through all we do, our vision is to see more people experiencing and expressing the transforming love and hope of Jesus.
Future Directions Signposts
In our changing world – recognising the challenges and opportunities before us – we articulate here what we have discerned are Spirit-led signposts that will shape our future directions. These signposts will inform future strategic planning, annual ministry priorities and decision-making.
The thirteen signposts are clustered under three headings:
Core Signposts
1. Re-affirming our core identity
2. Broadening our mission practice
3. Ensuring financial sustainability
Catalysing Signposts
4. Fostering a strategic, flexible sending approach
5. Expanding partnerships
6. Flourishing and locally led ministries
7. Seizing new opportunities alongside Australian Baptist churches
8. Standing alongside displaced people
9. Strengthening upstream leadership development
10. Increasing creation care initiatives
Capacity Signposts
11. Embracing polycentric and polyvocal practices
12. Building agile systems and structures
13. Participating in Baptist mission networks
God’s Spirit is doing amazing things through our teams and partners. We’re excited about the future. We see change as our constant companion. We’re expectant, trusting in the God who has always gone before us! We would love to talk more with you about our Future Directions as we listen and learn together.
