The Uniting Church in Australia has a statement of calling, based on a commitment made at the opening celebration of worship in Sydney, in June 1977. The commitment is expressed in terms of calling, rather than obligation. I find it interesting that the first verb is to preach, perhaps an indication of the clergy-focused framework of the time, or perhaps an indication of the influence of John Calvin on the framers of these words.
As a people journeying together we affirm our calling under God:
- To preach Christ the risen crucified one and confess him as Lord;
- To bear witness to the unity of faith and life in Christ, rising above cultural, economic, national and racial boundaries;
- To engage in fearless prophetic ministry in relation to social evils which deny God’s active will for justice and peace;
- To act with God alongside the oppressed, the hurt, the poor;
- To accept responsibility for the wise use and conservation of the finite resources of this earth for the benefit of all;
- To recognise, treasure and use the gifts of the Spirit given to all God’s people for ministering;
- And to live a creative, adventurous life of faith, characterised by openness and flexibility, hope and joy.
is this the Uniting equivalent of the Anglican 5 marks of mission?
* To proclaim the good news of the kingdom
* To teach, baptise, and nurture new believers
* To respond to human need by loving service
* To seek to transform unjust structures of society
* To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and
renew the life of the earth
Steve Taylor
The statement of calling is as close as I’ve found to those marks of mission. I find that people respond well to the Anglican list. Maybe Rick Warren is on to something with his insistence on giving out lists of five.