Church Mission Society CEO Calls for Global Shift in Mission Leadership

Andy Roberts, CEO of the Church Mission Society (CMS), has announced a strategic push to move away from traditional Western-led mission models. Reflecting on his first year in leadership, Roberts argued that the historical approach of Western churches primarily acting as donors and senders no longer aligns with the current reality of the global Church. He emphasized that mission work today is multidirectional, with significant evangelistic and church-planting energy originating from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

To address this, CMS is initiating a process of radical realignment intended to shift decision-making power and resources toward local leaders in various regions. Roberts stated that the goal is to make the organization less UK-centered and more globally rooted, allowing local partners to take greater control over mission development. While acknowledging that restructuring established systems will be complex, he noted that recent collaborative discussions with international network representatives have already demonstrated the potential for a more equitable and effective approach to global ministry.