In accordance with the understanding that God loves all people equally and works in and through all God's people, the Uniting Church's approach to world mission has moved from a patriarchal model of "knowing and giving what we think is best" to a model of standing alongside those in need.We work with partner churches in regions such as the Pacific, Asia and Africa. We share together in a variety of ways including Bible translation, theological education, prison ministry, evangelism, empowerment of marginalised groups, justice advocacy, exchange of personnel and peace-building initiatives in areas of conflict.

In the spirit of uniting we:

• are committed to dialogue and cooperation with other churches and to participation in state and national ecumenical bodies and international bodies such as the World Council of Churches;
• are willing to explore the implications of being in a community with people of many faiths and what this means for the way we express and share our faith;
• accept women and men as equals in ministry, including ordained ministries, and encourage women in leadership;
• embrace diversity and are open to discuss controversial issues and what it means to be inclusive of all people and to respect differences; and
• involve all people in oversight and governance, seeking to make decisions together rather than being hierarchical.
• The Church's mission co-workers immerse themselves in local culture, seek to hear the voice of the local people, and respond by offering support, encouragement and empowerment. This is particularly so in the area of human rights, where the dignity of all people must be respected, however different their way of life may be from the mission co-worker. This model has mutual benefits - mission co-workers learn about themselves as well as others through their experiences.
• Inevitably, mission co-workers discover new and life-changing aspects of God which they are able to share on their return to Australia. The Uniting Church constantly seeks to affirm its biblical and theological understanding that "Christians in Australia are called to bear witness to a unity of faith and life in Christ which transcends cultural and economic, national and racial boundaries" (Basis of Union, para. 2).