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THE MISSIONTo encourage and demonstrate

unity in the Body of Christ across racial and denominational

lines so that communities throughout Mississippi can

better understand the Gospel message

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THE VISION

To be the leading resource and catalyst for Christian reconciliation and racial healing for Mississippi and the world.

To work with over two million Mississippians who are members of a

Catholic or Protestant church.

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THE ACTIONMission Mississippi sponsors and

coordinates meeting opportunities for people of different races and

denominations to get to know each other and serve the Lord together.

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ACTIVITIES Tuesday and Thursday Prayer Breakfasts Monthly Businessmen’s Breakfast Pastors’ Prayer & Fellowship Meetings Monthly Ladies’ Prayer Luncheon Mayor’s Leadership Prayer Breakfast “Grace is Greater Than Race” Tour Governor’s Prayer Luncheon Statewide Unity Conference on Racial

Reconciliation Church Partnership Picnic Clergy & Spouse Appreciation Banquet Pastors’ Retreats Chapter & Affiliate Development Working with 25 different communities &

denominations

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Statewide StrategyTo develop a chapter or work with

an affiliate of Mission Mississippi in every county or municipality in the

state.

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ChapterA group that has the Mission

Mississippi name and holds to our mission and vision. It is a direct extension of Mission Mississippi.

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AffiliateAn organization that is already established and is doing similar

work as Mission Mississippi. Mission Mississippi networks and partners with these groups. We

serve as a support for one another.

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Principles For A Reconciliation Ministry

“GOING DEEPER” Dr. Dolphus Weary

Mr. Jon Elder

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Create a Safe Atmosphere Styles, personal preferences and denominational

nonessential differences should be blended for sake of unity.

Avoid heavy issues discussion - especially early on. Adjust length of meetings/activities. Accept people like they are now. Team building is essential to be God’s army and to

build God’s Kingdom. Practice flexibility and be willing to give up our rights. A lot of patience and forgiveness is necessary. Leave your personal agendas at the door.

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Marathon Vs SprintMarathon Vs Sprint Relationship building is a process. Relationships take time. God must change hearts, habits and minds;

and it takes time. We must stay at the table through tough times

and good times. People look for a reason to leave the table.

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Trusting Relationships Are Essential Relationships are the glue that

helps us deal with adversity. Relationships with people different

than us help us change, grow in character, and expand our understanding of God’s Kingdom.

A forgiving attitude is necessary. Must get past surface for real

relationship to develop Smaller groups provide best

opportunity for deeper relationships.

We must be willing to be transparent and give of ourselves if we want deeper relationships.

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Relationship Driven Vs Activity/Event-Driven It’s not about numbers. If the activities/events don’t

draw you to deepen trust relationships, they don’t serve the purpose of Kingdom building.

Success is based on relationships that bring about unity; and unity builds God’s Kingdom.

Have less activities/events early on; focus on fellowship, prayer, casual atmosphere and smaller groups.

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Intentionality Must choose to come together or

won’t happen in most of our everyday activities

Prayer and relationship building should be the focus early on.

Relationships are worth the effort. Must be regular and consistent Once or twice per year is not

regular. At least once per month or more to

be regular Unity of the Body is at stake so we

must be intentional in our actions.

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Accountability Structure of Diverse and Equal Leadership

Have folks from different denominations and races in leadership roles.

Everyone must be accepted as equals. Must reflect many elements of God’s

Body Must have structure of checks and

balances for decision making Members must develop relationship of

deep trust to make tough decision and deal with issues.

Guidelines must be worked out and written down.

Leaders must meet together regularly.

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Prayer and Fellowship are Essential Activity without prayer will not last and

be effective. Our ideas of how to pray are very

different. Must blend prayer styles to get folks to

return Fellowship time must be included. It is worth the time to come together

just for prayer and fellowship. God can direct you to other activities

when you pray and fellowship together. A structure that enhances unity of the

Body and Body life is the best long term. Consideration of others is very

necessary, i.e., time, length of prayer, style of prayer.

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Listen to Understand – Not Sell, Change or Convince

Main objective in a relationship, especially early on, is to understand the other person, i.e., feelings, position, hurts, etc. - not to correct, change or convince.

Listening must be learned; it is not natural. It is essential for relational development.

We must learn how to talk to each other. The more we understand, the better we can

communicate. Leave your soapbox and agendas at the door,

i.e., projects, hot buttons, issues that drive you. It is all about relationships.

In time God will lead to actions together. To understand does not mean agreement.

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Kingdom Building Requires Kingdom Thinking

It’s all about building His Kingdom.

Must think about God’s Kingdom – not ours.

Unity builds the Kingdom. Belief system must change for

habits to change. Must see things from God’s

perspective. Focus on areas of agreement.

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Churches in Long-Term Relationships

Partner churches give opportunity for breaking down walls and relationship building.

Must come together as equals – no mission field

Identify areas that are already active and find ways to bring them together.

Must be regular and consistent Regular is more than once per year. The churches need to have some

commonality. The pastors must build close

relationships of trust.

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Celebrate Small Victories! Look for things to celebrate, i.e.,

new person attends, relationship grows, new church involved, etc.

Don’t focus on those who won’t get involved or who leave the table.

Don’t focus on negatives. Don’t focus on big

events/activities for success. Celebrate victories with others so

they are blessed.

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Open Churches Free for all believers to attend for

fellowship and worship Free for own members to visit other

fellowships without guilt and condemnation

Free to celebrate together with God’s Body, the extended family occasionally for the good of God’s Kingdom

Free to give up personal style preferences, i.e., worship, etc. occasionally for the good of the Body

Willing to join others in mutual service - doesn’t have to be “our thing”

Willing to celebrate other churches’ victories to build Kingdom

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Christ In Us -The Unifying Factor Christ, as our Lord and Master, is the

one single common denominator for all believers regardless of denomination, race, worship style, culture, political party, etc. He makes us family.

Grace is Greater Than Race. Christ trumps all else – even politics. It is His Kingdom we are to build – Not

Ours. One Faith, One Baptism, One Church,

One Body, One Christ in and through all – WE ARE ONE FAMILY.

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Round Table Discussion Questions  

1.                Discuss the area of racism in the church. As you see the church, is racism in the Body of Christ a reality, just a perceived reality or not a problem at all? How does the church in general perceive the problem and how is it moving to find a solution.    2.   What is being done to address the issue of racial reconciliation in the Body of Christ in your church community.  3.   From what you just heard, discuss some of the principles and methods Mission Mississippi is using to deal with the issue of racial reconciliation in the church. What would you add to it or change for your community? 4.   Jesus taught a lot about the Kingdom of God and taught that we are to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness….” How does racial reconciliation and unity of the Body of Christ relate to building the Kingdom of God?