I experienced one of the clearest illustrations of polycentric mission during CBM’s global conference celebrating 150 years of ministry. Rather than sitting in rows facing a stage, staff from around the world gathered to worship, pray, and discern together were seated at round tables. We were not gathered around one central voice, but in many smaller circles, facing one another, where everyone had something to offer.

That image has stayed with me because I think it reflects something the Canadian church needs today. As we seek fresh imagination for ministry, learn to become better hosts to immigrants and newcomers, and reconsider what it means to “send,” we need to ask, “What might God want to teach us through the global Church?”

I have seen this come alive while travelling with Canadian church leaders to visit CBM partners. In El Salvador, we learned about a community development model that works through local churches. A “church coach” mentors pastors and congregations as they engage community leaders and strengthen discipleship. One Canadian leader asked whether a similar approach could strengthen churches in Canada, recognizing that Canadian churches do not have a monopoly on good ideas.

As we seek fresh imagination for ministry, learn to become better hosts to immigrants and newcomers, and reconsider what it means to “send,” we need to ask, “What might God want to teach us through the global Church?”

In Costa Rica, leaders were introduced to theological resources developed by local Christians. Several Canadians asked whether they had been translated into English. I could see an assumption begin to shift. Theological innovation was not just flowing from Western countries to the rest of the world–here were Canadian leaders eager to be shaped by theological reflection from somewhere new. They were being reminded that following Jesus means listening to wisdom from the whole body of Christ.

In the Dominican Republic, our partner described congregations where Dominicans and Haitians worshipped together. In a society marked by deep historical tensions, this required courage and intentional gospel leadership. As I listened, I wondered what their experience might teach us about reconciliation in Canada.

Experiences like these have convinced me that a polycentric vision of mission offers something Canadian churches need: fresh imagination.

Across Canada, churches are asking difficult questions. How do we make disciples in an increasingly complex culture? How do we welcome newcomers from around the world? How do we engage communities marked by loneliness, polarization, and declining trust?

None of these questions are uniquely Canadian. Believers around the world have been faithfully navigating cultural change, religious diversity, economic uncertainty, and social division for generations. Their contexts are different from ours, but their wisdom can enlarge our imagination for ministry here.

This changes how we see Canada itself. Mission is not something that happens “over there” while ministry happens “here.” Canada is a mission context too. As our communities become more multicultural, we have an opportunity not only to welcome Christians from around the world, but to be transformed by them.

Churches shaped by immigrant communities are not simply ministries to support or neighbours to welcome.

They are fellow workers, teachers, and partners with whom we can build the future of the Canadian church.

Perhaps that is one of the greatest invitations of polycentric mission. It asks us to exchange certainty for curiosity and expertise for humility. It reminds us that the Holy Spirit has not concentrated wisdom in one nation or one culture but is at work across the whole body of Christ.

Perhaps that is one of the greatest invitations of polycentric mission. It asks us to exchange certainty for curiosity and expertise for humility.”

As Canadian churches continue to participate in God’s mission, we are invited to take our place at round tables with believers from every nation. At these tables, no one sits at the front as the only teacher. Instead, we come ready to give and to receive, to teach and to learn, to encourage and to be encouraged. Together, we discover thatGod has entrusted gifts, wisdom, and experiences to his people across the global Church. And as we listen to one another and join in God’s mission together, we may find that God is not only transforming communities around the world–he is transforming us as well.