| our context |

The dynamic growth of the global church is taking place in Africa, Latin America and Asia, not in the West.  Related to this, leadership in mission is shifting to the majority world church.  This has many implications for us as we participate in God’s mission, including:

• Partnership is essential in all our mission involvements, and we will strive for interdependence with our global partners.

• We must be prepared to serve in an environment characterized by sending from multiple centers of influence throughout the world (“from everywhere to everyone”).

• We need to prepare those sent out through TAP to serve effectively in cross-cultural teams.

• We need to approach mission service as learners and servants.

• We desperately need renewal within our Presbyterian churches here in the US.  We believe participation in God’s mission in partnership with our brothers and sisters from the majority world is an important means whereby we can experience renewal.  

• As Christians from North America, we must understand the dynamics and challenges related to Western missionary affluence.

• We value and affirm our roots within the Presbyterian Church in the US.  We have learned important lessons from our mission history, lessons which we don’t want to lose sight of, or unnecessarily repeat.  At the same time, as we move out to participate in God’s mission, our primary identity is as followers of Jesus, citizens of God’s Kingdom.