The five marks of mission were developed in 1984 and, since then, have been widely adopted as an understanding of what contemporary mission is about.

 

Some churches abbreviate the five marks to five words: TELL - TEACH - TEND - TRANSFORM - TREASURE.

 

• To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
   

• To teach, baptise and nurture new believers.
   

• To respond to human need by loving service.
   

• To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
   

• To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

 

The booklet ‘Living the Five Marks of Mission – A Study Guide’ collated and edited by Fr Tim Gaden is an exciting resource that allows us to remember, celebrate and ‘dream’ of the way we can engage in mission in the 21st century. The quote of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, that “Mission is finding out what God is up to and joining in”, is an excellent jumping off point for discussion at a congregational, parish and even diocesan level.

 

The booklet can be downloaded from here.