What is FPM?
FPM is a team of lay and clergy responding to humanity's struggles, and we begin by building friendships. We recognize that the do-gooding methods that churches and other organizations often use do not build healthy relationships, and they can even do harm. We seek together to identify, teach and model better ways.
Why the name Friendly Planet Missiology?
Friendly is the stance we have chosen to take in our work. Seeking to address the humanity's problems can lead to anger and even disdain toward those we view as being contributors (ourselves included) to these problems. Our commitment to remain friendly is neither shallow nor easy; it is a radical commitment to being a conduit of reconciliation and community building. We also affirm the assertion of theologian Samuel Wells that the fundamental problem of the human condition is not our mortality, but our isolation. Building genuine healthy friendships is the primary goal of FPM; the rest is the fruit of those friendships.
Planet Earth is our home. We recognize the interconnectedness of the problems humanity faces and place our conversations in the context of our global citizenship. We examine the local and global interplay of issues such as poverty, racism, trauma, fear, and savior complexes.
Missiology is the study of mission. Our passion isn't simply being in mission; it is to critically reflect upon the motivations and outcomes of missional work, to acknowledge our mistakes, and to strive to do better.
Planet Earth is our home. We recognize the interconnectedness of the problems humanity faces and place our conversations in the context of our global citizenship. We examine the local and global interplay of issues such as poverty, racism, trauma, fear, and savior complexes.
Missiology is the study of mission. Our passion isn't simply being in mission; it is to critically reflect upon the motivations and outcomes of missional work, to acknowledge our mistakes, and to strive to do better.
Resources
FPM's lead trainer, the Rev. Dr. Taylor Denyer, has coached and taught in a number of countries and is available for speaking engagements and consultations. Her doctoral thesis, Decolonizing Mission Partnerships, was selected in 2019 for publication in the American Society of Missiology's monograph series and is available in printed and Kindle formats.
Our first published book, The Last Missionary (written by our late co-founder, the Rev. Dr. Bob Walters) is used in the mission curriculum at a number of universities. Its sequel, Pastors, Chiefs and Warlords: The Ministry of Being With continues the story, but also stand alone as its own work.
Our first published book, The Last Missionary (written by our late co-founder, the Rev. Dr. Bob Walters) is used in the mission curriculum at a number of universities. Its sequel, Pastors, Chiefs and Warlords: The Ministry of Being With continues the story, but also stand alone as its own work.
Learning Opportunities
Since 2009, FPM has organized bicycle journeys (riding as far as 2,000 kilometers) in the North Katanga and Tanganyika Conferences (DR Congo) of The United Methodist Church. Our teams have been comprised of Congolese and Americans. These journeys act organically as mobile classrooms and relationship-building exercises. It has been from these teams that joint initiatives have emerged.
Initiatives and Fundraising
Funds donated to FPM go to support a number of community development initiatives in the DR Congo. Contributions to FPM are tax deductible in the USA. For more information on how our funds are spent and how to designate giving to ongoing or new initiatives, feel free to contact us directly.