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Duncan Dormor says the Gospel must remain relevant by addressing the realities of every generation.
The Church cannot afford to remain silent on the pressing issues confronting the modern world, including climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality, the General Secretary of the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG), The Revd Canon Dr. Duncan Dormor, has said.
Speaking during a visit to Ghana, Dormor urged churches across the Anglican Communion to embrace a broader understanding of mission one that faithfully proclaims the Gospel while responding to the realities people face today.
According to him, the mission of the Church must continually evolve to meet the needs of every generation without compromising the message of Christ.
“The Gospel needs to be alive in every generation,” he said. “That means we have to face the challenges that exist in our world.”
Dormor explained that one of USPG’s three strategic priorities is what it calls ‘Rethinking Mission’ an approach that encourages churches to examine how Christian faith speaks to contemporary issues affecting communities around the world.
MISSION BEYOND THE CHURCH WALLS
For centuries, Christian mission has often been associated with evangelism and church planting. While those remain essential, Dormor believes today’s mission must also include responding to issues that threaten human dignity and God’s creation.
He cited climate change as one of the defining challenges of the 21st century.
“How are churches adapting to climate change?” he asked. “How are they thinking about it within their churches? Do we talk about ecological justice? Do we think about God as our Creator? Do we value the land?”
These questions, he said, are no longer optional for the Church but form part of its witness in a rapidly changing world.
Rather than viewing environmental issues as separate from faith, Dormor argued that Christians should understand caring for creation as an expression of faithful stewardship entrusted to humanity by God.
CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION
Dormor noted that climate change is already affecting millions of people worldwide through rising temperatures, flooding, droughts, food insecurity, and displacement.
For many churches, particularly those serving vulnerable communities, these realities have become impossible to ignore. He believes churches have both a spiritual and moral responsibility to encourage environmental stewardship, advocate for justice, and support communities affected by ecological challenges.
“The Church should help people reflect on the relationship between faith and creation,” he said.
By encouraging conversations about ecological justice, congregations can deepen their understanding of God’s care for creation while inspiring practical action within their communities.
A GLOBAL MISSION PARTNERSHIP
Dormor explained that USPG works with Anglican churches in more than 165 countries, supporting local churches as they identify and respond to their own mission priorities.
Rather than imposing programmes, the organization works collaboratively with dioceses and provinces to strengthen their ministries in ways that reflect local realities.
“Our work is built on partnership,” he said. “We listen to churches and support the priorities they identify.” That collaborative approach allows churches in different parts of the Anglican Communion to learn from one another while addressing shared global challenges.
KEEPING THE GOSPEL RELEVANT
Dormor stressed that rethinking mission does not mean changing the Gospel itself. Instead, it means ensuring that the timeless message of Christ remains meaningful within changing social, environmental, and cultural contexts.
“The Gospel does not change,” he suggested. “What changes are the circumstances in which people hear it.” Whether responding to climate change, economic hardship, conflict, or social injustice, the Church must continue to proclaim hope while demonstrating God’s love through practical action. He said this balance between proclamation and service has always been central to authentic Christian mission.
LOOKING AHEAD
As churches across the Anglican Communion continue to navigate increasingly complex global challenges, Dormor believes they have a unique opportunity to become voices of hope, compassion, and justice.
By caring for creation, supporting vulnerable communities, and encouraging responsible stewardship of the environment, churches can demonstrate that faith remains relevant in addressing some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
For USPG, rethinking mission is not about abandoning tradition. It is about ensuring that the Gospel continues to speak powerfully into the realities of today’s world.
“The Gospel needs to be alive in every generation,” Dormor said. “That means facing the challenges that exist in our world.”
His message serves as a reminder that the Church’s mission extends beyond its buildings into every place where people seek hope, justice, and the promise of God’s transforming love.