FAQ

BMS World Mission views campaigning as using our influence, both corporately and individually, "to take justice to a place of power".  This may mean speaking out boldly on behalf of the voiceless or using our privileged position in the world to change institutions, practices, laws or social structures that keep others in a disadvantaged state. Practically it may mean anything from signing a petition or showing up at a rally to educating those around you, in your family, community or church about a problem that can be solved or improved by speaking out.

Much of BMS' work to bring life in all its fullness to people involves working at a grass roots level with trusted partners around the world. This work has a significant impact that benefits individuals and local communities by helping to deal with their most pressing needs. In some cases, however, these needs are symptoms of a larger problem. It is sometimes possible (and indeed right) to address not just the symptom but the cause of the problem. If we can use our influence to do this in an organised way, we believe that doing so is as much a part of holistic mission as preaching the gospel or providing health care or clean drinking water.

BMS aims to enable people to know Christ. Both historically and currently, this is our mission. Christ-like compassion requires that we act as well as speak and pray. BMS sees campaigning as an important part of mission and aims to engage in it, while never neglecting the duty and privilege we have of sharing the good news of Jesus.

BMS aims to enable people to know Christ. Both historically and currently, this is our mission. Christ-like compassion requires that we act as well as speak and pray. BMS sees campaigning as an important part of mission and aims to engage in it, while never neglecting the duty and privilege we have of sharing the good news of Jesus.

BMS actually has a long history of campaigning for justice. From early missionaries to India campaigning there to end the practice of sati (burning living widows with the body of their deceased husband upon his death) to William Knibb tirelessly campaigning for freedom for Jamaican slaves, BMS has a long tradition of campaigning. (The BMS heritage area <link> has more information about all aspects of BMS history.) In the 20th century, BMS continued the tradition, speaking out boldly and controversially about Portuguese actions in their colonies and becoming a founder member of the Jubilee Debt Campaign. More recently, BMS has been part of Make Poverty History, Stop Climate Chaos and the Micah Challenge. Current and future campaigns will reflect the growing need to speak out corporately about a wide range of issues related to mission.

The Jubilee Debt Campaign and Make Poverty History were examples of campaigns whose aims were political without being partisan and BMS was a proud member of both. We see no reason why Christians should fear political engagement, particularly if the causes of injustice or suffering can only be effected through decisions made at a government or pan-governmental level.

Human-made climate change is a fact accepted by the vast majority of the scientific community. The consequences of climate change will mainly affect the poorest citizens of the world's poorest nations, the people with whom BMS is called to work. Environmental issues are thus justice issues. As a Christian organisation, BMS also believes that environmental issues have a theological dimension. The issue of creation care is one that BMS will be addressing more in the future.

Send us the information and if we have space, are in sympathy with its aims and feel it would be helpful for us to be involved, we will (time and space allowing) add it to the External Links <link> page in this channel. Please leave details on the feedback page <link>.

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