Journeying Together: Collaborative Missional Communities
Have you ever wondered?
- What insight does the servant heart of our Lord Jesus Christ reveal to us about the importance of children, young people and families in our communities?
- What would it take to enable children living in disadvantaged families and communities to move out of poverty?
- What is the role of the Baptist movement in this?
Baptist Care SA is actively exploring these questions in conjunction with the Baptist movement in SA, across the nation and on multiple levels including:
- Praying Together that children, youth and
families might be uplifted
- Matthew 19:14 – “Let the little Children come to me…”
- Acts 2:17 – “…young men will see visions…”
- Ephesians 6:1-4 – “Children obey your parents…” and “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”
- Expressing an Influential Voice amongst our nation’s leaders
In September, 40 Baptist Leaders ‘converged’ on Canberra to share insights and advocate for improved outcomes for Australia’s children.
Over two intensive days of purposeful influence and powerful advocacy, the Annual ‘Converge’ event of Australian Baptist Ministries expressed concern that 17% of Australia’s children are living in households with incomes that fall below the poverty line. They tabled a Baptist Care Australia report titled “Australia’s Kids – The State of the Nation” which is available by clicking HERE. (https://www.baptistcareaustralia.org.au/storage/australias-kids-the-state-of-the-nation-report.pdf)
During over 60 targeted meetings, small groups of Baptist Leaders and subject matter experts enthusiastically engaged with Federal Government Ministers, Senators and MP’s to influence our nation’s public policy by advocating for:
- Raising the Rate of the NewStart Allowance by at least $75 per fortnight
- Increasing the supply of social and affordable housing
- Strengthening Communities in collaboration with local Baptist churches
Mike Mills and I recently hosted an energetic thought leadership forum focused upon the development of Collaborative Missional Communities. The gathering shared ideas and engaged in constructive dialogue about the development of community Ministries with other church leaders and sought to further develop the missional relationship between Baptist Care SA and local Baptist churches. We prayed together around how we might be more effective in our collective efforts to Be SALT and Shed LIGHT amongst vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families in local communities. We recognise by working together, we have increased capacity to support people along their unique Transition Pathways out of the depths of adversity and despair toward the fullness of life. We believe the Lord’s Church has a key role in this restorative process.
Reflection: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice” Martin Luther King, Jr
What role will you and your Church play in the Lord’s work of Being Salt and Shedding Light in your local community and beyond?
Blessings to you as you reflect upon these societal challenges and missional opportunities.
Graham Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Care SA
