Local mission focus to open General Synod

The Convention of General Synod in Adelaide next month will highlight LCANZ members’ hearts for reaching their local communities with the gospel, as local mission endeavours take centre stage on day 1 at the triennial event.

As part of this, the agenda on Friday 4 October will include the announcement of successful applicants to the inaugural Local Mission Fund. The fund, which has been established to enhance mission culture across the church and help congregations, districts and agencies as they seek new ways of reaching their neighbours and their local communities, drew 30 applications and many other expressions of interest despite the tight application timeframe in its first year. Applications will again be open in 2025.

LCANZ Local Mission Coordinator Jodi Brook said delegates and visitors to General Synod can expect to hear stories of ‘grass-roots efforts to bring love to life through mission projects and activities’ across the church.

‘Delegates will also have the opportunity to hear how their congregations can continue to be equipped for mission through churchwide and district partnerships’, she said.

‘A sense of excitement and genuine heart for reaching our local communities with the gospel has been revealed in every one of the 30 applications submitted to the Local Mission Fund for consideration. This has been a small window into the many local mission stories that are taking place around the LCANZ.

‘It is this sense of excitement and can-do attitude to local mission that we want to express on day one of General Synod.’