Interview
Blair begins by offering his own description of how the commission, since it was first talked about as far back as 1910, has brought together theologians, missiologists, practitioners, mission agencies, and church leadership.
Over the years, there have been a number of mission conferences that have focused on various themes.
He describes his role of working with the commission to ensure that the body is engaging, and keeping clear in terms of its vision and in the contribution of the ecumenical movement.
“I consider myself a product of the mission enterprise,” he says. “I grew up in Jamaica influenced by missionaries.”
Through that process, he adds that he has been shaped in terms of his understanding of the gospel as the call of God’s people.
“But also I’m aware—as I am of African descent—that the mission enterprise and mission involvement with the colonialism has meant that my experience and the experience of people of African descent have been greatly impacted,” he says. “A number of years ago I had the privilege of working in an agency that was working with street-involved adults in a community that was incredibly influenced by poverty, and that in some ways shifted and reshaped my understanding of mission.”
He also describes how his work in building relationships between the United Church of Canada and the larger global community has become critically important in influencing his role as moderator.
“There was a recognition at the end of the last commission that there was more significant work that needs to be done around ‘mission from the margin’—and understanding that,” he said.
He concludes the video interview discussing how the commission will bring together transformative discipleship, decolonization, and “mission from the margins” to find a way forward in these challenging times.
“It’s not about status quo but a continued deepening of the work,” he says.
WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism
