WELCOME
"Never before have we had, and perhaps never again shall we have, such an opportunity.
Let us not allow it to pass, therefore, without making the best use of it"
(St John Eudes, 1661)
INTRODUCTORY MESSAGE
Since its formation in 2004 the Asia Pacific Circle of Leaders (APC) have strived to answer the call of the Congregational Chapter Directions for a more holistic and authentic way of living and carrying out Good Shepherd Mission. Following in the footsteps of our predecessors, the APC, in 2016 took up the mandate of the 30th Congregational Chapter Direction Statement to 'Integrate Spirituality, Justice and Peace with Good Ministry Practice.'
Together with the Asia Pacific Regional Committees, in 2016 and 2017, the APC engaged in a process of unpacking and understanding what “Integration” is for us. In the process of searching and uncovering ways of how best to articulate and communicate it in a simple but experiential way, the APC came to understand the importance of integration beginning individually and then collectively. To be able to integrate Spirituality and Justice and Peace with Good Ministry Practice, it is essential for Formation and Partnership/Co-responsibility as enablers to be part of the Good Shepherd culture. It calls for each Mission Partner (lay and sister) to learn, grow, transform, change and continually evolve.
In 2018, the APC appointed the Asia Pacific Integration Committee (APIC) to develop a process that will serve the Asia Pacific region in understanding Integration of Spirituality, Justice and Peace with Good Ministry Practice and implementing it within their contexts. Journeying together, reflecting and gathering insights from across the region, the APIC have worked on some processes that will assist you as Good Shepherd Mission Partners in the work of integration.
To begin the process, we are happy to present this resource tool, the Good Shepherd 'Towards Integration’ site. We urge each one of you to be a catalyst for transformation by embracing the integrated approach in your own lives and in the Good Shepherd Mission. Together with the 'Towards Integration" booklet, we encourage key personnel to treat this site as a ‘go to’ reference and guide when working with all who are involved in your services as we strive together to develop an integrated approach in our life and mission. The future of the Good Shepherd Mission is in each of our hands. We entrust the incoming APC members with the continuing enablement of integration for mission.
