A communion service celebrated with the flesh and juice of the coconut at the South Pacific Regional Gathering, held in Tonga in May 2001, made most participants wipe away tears. This Eucharist service using the coconut tree as a symbol of the tree of life was an example of how the people of the South Pacific contextualized Christian theology. The celebrant, the Rev. Valamotu Palu, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, beautifully wove the story of women and men of the Pacific through the story of the coconut.

She poured coconut juice into a large kava bowl, which symbolizes a circle of community. Kava is a native fruit of the Pacific and people share their stories over a ceremonial bowl of kava. Palu blessed the elements of coconut flesh and juice. This ritualized service from an indigenous perspective reminded participants of the contextual “coconut theology” of Dr. Sione Havea from Tonga. He said: “When the coconut falls, it doesnít stop where it falls, but rolls to the lowest level. And when it goes to the sea, it continues to fight against the current. It smells the land and it lands there and grows.” As participants came forward to receive the elements, Palu told stories illustrating this resiliency lived by the people of the Pacific. The worshipers were especially touched by the stories of women.

“To make juice, you have to crush the flesh,” Palu explained. “Thatís sacrifice. Like the coconut, women may be crushed in society. But, when crushed, if they are put deep into the soil, the surrounding earth cannot keep or avoid the growth of the coconut and it breaks the groundóand thatís resurrection.” Thus womenís unique mission stories creatively woven through this communion service using a kava bowl and kava cups reflected traditional stories of struggle and hope.

Space for Mission
The regional gathering in Tonga was the first of six gatherings planned for various parts of the world under the sponsorship of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Mission is an ever-evolving story of Godís people everywhere. Participants in the regional gatherings are “tellers” of a new story. They peer deep into the contexts of their mission, their own people who are faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and relationships between the people and their churches to shape the context of their faith. Providing space for people to share stories and strategies through dialogue is an important part of the new vision of the General Board of Global Ministries.

According to the Bible, God, an Ever-new One, gives new life and new vision to all children of God. Thus, with a keen sense of vision and clarity of purpose, the GBGM strives to open new horizons in working with its mission partners. Exploring new ways of doing mission with partner churches is critical because the sociopolitical context of mission is ever-changing. A series of global regional gatherings is a response to a new quest for mission strategies developed in vital relationship with partner churches.

Regional Conversations
The Global Regional Gatherings of Mission Leaders, under the overall theme “In Mission and Ministry Together,” are being held in the Pacific Islands, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and the United States. The gatherings are attended by leaders from the United Methodist central conferences and the autonomous churches that are in partnership with the GBGM. The style of the gatherings is conversational and encourages a multilevel dialogue on the issues and concerns of mission and partnership ministry in the third millennium of Christianity.

The impetus for these conversations began at the “In Mission and Ministry Together” conference, which took place in Los Angeles, California, in February 2000. The subsequent regional gatherings will continue the conversations begun there, particularly centered on how the mission structures and programs of the global church move it into more meaningful partnerships and shared mission. In addition to several directors and staff members of the GBGM, participants in the meetings include leaders from each annual conference or autonomous church in the specified region, and actively involve women and youth. The intent is to host events that allow conversation rather than legislative or administrative decisions. The events generally last four days, with one day dedicated to workshops for women and youth. Prior to arrival, all participants are invited to suggest topics and areas of discussion.

The first of these gatherings was held in May 2001 in the island nation of Tonga in the South Pacific. The next gathering was held in Budapest, Hungary, in January 2002.

The third event was held in May 2002 in Panama City, Panama, for the churches of the Latin American and Caribbean region. In January 2003, the fourth event, the Asian Gathering, will be held in Manila in the Philippines. The fifth event will take place in the United States following the Global Gathering in Birmingham, Alabama, in April 2003. The final event will be held in Africa in the fall of 2003.

Gathering in the South Pacific
Each regional gathering is unique in the nature and content of its conversations. For instance, the discussions in Tonga, attended by representatives from eight partner churches and the Pacific Conference of Churches, were frank and friendly. This will perhaps be the least controversial of the regional gatherings, in part because this area of the world has fewer GBGM missionaries and projects. The Pacific Islanders feel marginalized, perceiving that partner churches as well as secular and ecumenical development agencies are increasingly pulling back their services in the region. It is clear that those attending saw the gathering as a sign of hope. They look to the GBGM to increase its exposure and participation within the region.

As a result of the regional gathering in Tonga, a new three-way partnership is already forming between the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Tonga, the Methodist Church of Hong Kong, and the GBGM. The Tongan church observed recently that a number of immigrants have arrived from China. Recognizing that few Tongans are fluent in Chinese and that the immigrants have their own customs that Tongans do not always understand, the church leaders were at a loss to devise evangelism strategies for this new community in their midst. Where should they turn? At the gathering, they raised this question with GBGM staff. Conversations between the Methodist Church of Tonga and the Methodist Church of Hong Kong have begun and may result in a significant mission partnership that will bring the Gospel to an immigrant community in a new land.

Gathering in Europe
At the Budapest gathering, participants shared experiences about the relations among church partners formerly separated by the Iron Curtain. Churches of Eastern and Western Europe differ significantly in terms of their contexts for mission and ministry. Although the churches of Eastern Europe are in politically free settings now, they encounter difficult relations with various Eastern Orthodox churches that claim the allegiance of the citizens of each country. In addition, they live under very difficult economic conditions.

Churches in Western European nations struggle with a very secular culture and small numbers of congregants. This situation makes it difficult to respond to the many needs of the region. Nevertheless, the Western European churches have active mission boards and contribute a great deal to their mission enterprises, both in the region and around the world. New partnerships among the churches are needed that are not only financially based, but spiritually based. One participant stated: “It is much easier to share money across borders than to share spirituality.” The understanding is that we all must do more of the latter as well as the former.

As a result of the European Gathering, the GBGM is making efforts to assist the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe with pastorsí salaries by attempting to address both immediate needs and long-term strategies. At the gathering, many delegates, including Bishop Heinrich Bolleter, who oversees the Central Conference, shared the difficulties that pastors in Eastern European countries are facing. Salary issues have become a critical concern for United Methodist churches in Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Poland. Minimum salaries vary from country to country, but they are extremely low throughout the region. For instance, pastors in Bulgaria receive $150.00 a month and often travel by donkey because they lack other means of transportation.

When these countries gained their independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, many hoped that a large economic gap between Western Europe and the former Soviet satellite countries would close within a few years. Unfortunately, this has not happened. Industry has broken down in many places. The unemployment rate is very high. It has been discouraging for the new congregations to see their progress in giving immediately swallowed up by increased inflation.

The leadership of the Central Conference has been faithful to the 150 pastors in the area of the Eastern European countries, but is currently struggling to provide financial support. The United Methodist Church can celebrate the growth of United Methodist congregations in the area and the many new humanitarian ministries that have developed since 1990. A main focus for United Methodists in Central and Southern Europe has always been to work with the poor, including the Romany people (Gypsies), immigrants, and refugees. However, the churches need further denominational support for pastors in the region so that it can continue to fulfill its mission and ministry in a faithful way.

Mission in the New Millennium

The program of Global Regional Gatherings will continue to seek out and discern the various understandings of partnership in this new millennium. One image of the desired partnership that emerged was that of “everyone paddling the canoe in the same direction so that we all get to the destination together.” More communication and sharing of common goals and needs are called for among the national churches, as well as with partner churches.

Seeking authentic partnership, the GBGM hopes that each regional gathering will be, as Wilbert R. Shenk puts it, Godís means of “carrying forward the work of Godís redemption until it is completed in Godís time.” It also hopes that through these new global regional gatherings, participants will learn more of how to proclaim Godís Good News through word and deed in mission and ministry together. Mission is focused on the future. May we all embrace new mission opportunities as they continue to emerge and may we strive toward Godís future together.

* The Rev. Youngsook Charlene Kang is the deputy general secretary assigned to the areas of Mission Contexts and Relationships and Mission Education at the GBGM. The Rev. John Nuessle is the executive secretary for Conference Relations in Mission Contexts and Relationships.