I have been watching a series of programmes on Shine TV lately that reminded me of a well-known adage, of ‘not re-inventing the wheel’. This saying relates well to the way that parishes embark on mission projects, often failing at the first hurdle as they find a) they are either doubling up on what other parishes are undertaking, or b) what they thought was a good project, did not fit with the members of their congregation or with the needs of the community.

The programmes I have been watching look at where others are successfully involved in projects that address issues of injustice and work with another organisation to help in the mission undertaking. The episodes included Christian Blind Mission, poverty and homelessness in Melbourne and Manila, cleaning up beaches contaminated by plastics, rural mental health, disability services, and community healing and recovery initiatives.

A congregation wanting to embark on a new mission initiative should look at what is already happening in their community and find a way to support the work that suits their congregation’s membership and resources. There may be ways to work alongside others or be of some service to them. For example, if fund-raising is your forte, then I am sure there are many organisations that would benefit from your financial support.

Sometimes small one-off projects are more successful than a large mission project that requires a lot of planning, people and time. Finding an organisation that many of your congregation relates to can also be rewarding. One of the most successful projects I was involved in was supporting the request by Christchurch Methodist Mission to provide a laundry basket full of start-up needs for one house in the community housing CMM built in Richmond. Our congregation got on board with the idea and enjoyed putting together contributions that resulted in four baskets full of goods for a family moving into one of the houses. Another group I am supporting is the Mission Without Borders, Operation Cover-up, where a group of us get together fortnightly to knit, crochet, chat and share stories. It is an achievable and enjoyable undertaking for our age demographic.

We knew that many of the mission projects being undertaken by other parishes would have been beyond our means, our skill set and our age demographic. Rather than re-inventing the wheel, we joined together to achieve a good outcome for others in need. I encourage you to work alongside others in a project that meets a need or addresses an issue of injustice. Your love and commitment will show them God’s love and Christ’s example louder and clearer than any preaching, workshops or study groups.