Mission Priorities – Anglican Church of Southern Africa

The Vision Statement of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa says that “Anglicans ACT”, namely that we are:

Anchored in the love of Christ
Committed to God’s mission
Transformed by the Holy Spirit

We live out our Vision Statement through three corresponding missional priorities:

Liturgical renewal and transformative worship
Discipleship, and
Prophetic ministry

Liturgical renewal & transformative worship

‘Worship the Lord in holy splendour.’
(1 Chron 16:29b)

‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’
(Acts 2:42)

We express our anchoring in Christ’s love through liturgical renewal & transformative worship, and this priority embodies our highest calling, which is to worship God in everything we are and do, including church services.

Discipleship

‘Make me to understand the way of your precepts, and I shall meditate on your marvellous works.’
(Psalms 119:27)

‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.’
(Romans 12:2)

‘Train yourself in godliness … give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching.’
(1 Timothy 4:7,13)

A commitment to God’s mission means both being and making disciples to fulfill the ongoing commission that Jesus gave to the Church (Matthew 28:18-20). We also join the Anglican Communion in its season of intentional discipleship and disciple making. Discipleship includes the process of Christian growth, teaching and formation from the beginning to the end of life. We are making disciples of Jesus when we engage in theological education, form people for ministry and develop leaders.

Prophetic ministry

‘Learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.’
(Isaiah 1:17)

‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations…’
(Isaiah 42:4, Matt 12:18)

‘Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called children of God.’
(Matthew 5:9)

If we are to be transformed ourselves and to see our society transformed by the Holy Spirit, the Church should be bold in speaking God’s word of encouragement, challenge and, where necessary, rebuke. In particular, we believe that God is calling us to advocacy and involvement in education, nurture of the young, women and gender issues, the environment and health.