Our Vision
A STATEMENT OF MISSION FOR THE PEOPLE OF AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND WHO ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE METHODIST TRADITION, BOTH IN METHODIST PARISHES AND IN CO-OPERATIVE VENTURES
Our Church's mission in Aotearoa/New Zealand is to reflect and proclaim the transforming love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and declared in the Scriptures.
We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve God in the world.
The Treaty of Waitangi is the covenant establishing our nation on the basis of a power-sharing partnership and will guide how we undertake mission.
In seeking to carry out our mission we will work according to these principles:
Christian Community
To be a worshipping, praying and growing community, sharing and developing our faith, and working through its implications in our social context.
Evangelism
To challenge people to commitment to Christ and Christ's way.
Flexibility
To be flexible, creative and open to God's spirit in a changing world and Church, so that the Church is relevant to people's needs.
To release energy for mission rather than to absorb energy for maintenance.
Church Unity
To foster networks and relationships with communities of faith having similar goals.
Inclusiveness
To operate as a Church in ways which will enable the diversity of the people (e.g. all ages, all cultures, female and male) to participate fully in the whole life of the Church, especially decision-making and worship.
Every Member a Minister
To encourage each person to develop his/her full potential by accepting and nurturing each other, developing skills and providing resources, challenging and enabling for service in the Church and community.
Cross-cultural Awareness
To become aware of, and challenged by, each other's cultures.
Justice
To work for justice for any who are oppressed in Aotearoa/New Zealand, keeping in mind the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi.
To share resources with the poor and disadvantaged in Aotearoa/New Zealand and beyond.
Peace
To be peacemakers between people, and in the world.
Healing
To listen for hurt and work for healing.
Ecology
To care for creation.
Adopted by Conference 1989
