Warning: Undefined array key "jahr" in /home/httpd/vhosts/apd.media/httpdocs/php/lib/APD/repository/NewsgroupRepository.php on line 40 APD - Report from Central Committee of the World Council of Churches 2009 (Adventistischer Pressedienst)

Report from Central Committee of the World Council of Churches 2009

WCC Central Committee moderator Altmann: World and Ecumenism stands at Crossroads

Geneva/Switzerland | 26.08.2009 | APD | WCC Central Committee

Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, in his moderator’s address at the start of the World Council of Churches central committee meeting in Geneva on 26 August, said that the WCC – as well as the world at large – stands "at a crossroads in the present".

Altmann touched on a variety of events marking milestones this year and next, including the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the upcoming centennial of the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh. Altmann called this centenary "an evocative moment for many around the world who have the mission and unity of the church at heart."

He tied those episodes to some challenges of the present, including the shift of Christianity’s "centre of gravity" to the global south, the need for the WCC’s constituency to be more representative, the problems of poverty and "climate injustice" and the openness to change required for radical discipleship.

"Our reality is very complex and multi-layered", said Altmann, president of the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil and moderator of the WCC central committee since 2006. He said the current time may offer a "particular opportunity" to respond creatively to the need for inspiring vision, one that addresses the realities of the day and the journey ahead.

"The new framework of the ecumenical landscape is in front of our eyes, being experienced in the daily lives of our churches and their relationships and networks," Altmann said, "but yet we still seem not able to describe and/or define it". Speaking about the Ecumenical movement today, Altmann declared: "On one hand, some churches discovered that they were close enough to merge or enter into agreements of full communion and have done so, thus changing the ecumenical landscape. Among the 'mainline' Protestant/Anglican churches we may speak of de facto communion, a dramatic ecumenical development. On the other hand, the debate and conclusions on moral issues have been causing deep polarization between and within some confessional families."

He named three decisions to be made at these meetings that would hold “particular importance for the life of the WCC” as it goes forward: the election of a new general secretary, the location for the next WCC Assembly, to be held in 2013; and directions
related to the report of the working group on governance, accountability, and staff policy. " It is not our cause which is at stake, but God’s plan", he said.

(2498 Zeichen)

WCC General secretary Kobia speaks on the future of the Ecumenical Movement and urges the "courage to hope"

Geneva/Switzerland | 26.08.2009 | APD | WCC Central Committee

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia sounded notes of hope as he delivered his final address as general secretary to the World Council of Churches central committee on 26 August.

"I hope it is unnecessary to emphasize that the 'courage to hope' has been a central theme of my personal ecumenical journey," Kobia said. "Holding together cross and resurrection, the sinful reality we are facing and the good news of the gospel, hope in Christ combines realism with the inspiring vision of God’s reign to come."

He pointed to examples of resilience in places such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, the Philippines, and Israel-Palestine – where he said the "effects of occupation are easily evident". Kobia said he has valued the "pastoral dimension" of his role, walking with churches in those difficult situations so they know "they are not alone".

"As I have travelled around the world, I have seen and heard expressions of despair and pessimism in all regions of the world," Kobia said in a press conference following the address. "I thought that as I did my last report as general secretary that I would come back to what has been a major preoccupation of mine – whether the ecumenical movement can inspire hope … in situations that would otherwise seem hopeless."

The comprehensive address touched on a host of other issues, including the need for greater involvement of youth and young adults in the ecumenical movement, the impact of migrant communities, climate change, the shifting dynamics of ecumenism in the 21st century and the new models of work into which the WCC is living.

The general secretary pointed out: "A relevant witness of the churches in today’s world is no longer possible if churches stay divided and cannot demonstrate to the world that the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the driving force in making the whole church a sign and foretaste of a united humanity that cares for each other and for this planet." Again citing a Bible word in 1Cor 13:13, Samuel Kobia said: "The divided churches will become one again if, moved by the Holy Spirit, we embrace the life-giving love of God and live it ourselves for the sake of this world that so desperately needs it."

Kobia also said, that Christians are facing a moment of truth, citing two relevant Bible verses: "We will fail, however, if we give in to simple juxtapositions between unity and truth, or unity and diversity (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:1-31). "There are indeed deep tensions among and within churches concerning doctrine, as well as concerning issues of lifestyles and personal ethics,"

He listed care for creation, interreligious cooperation and "the cry for transformative justice" as major areas the WCC has addressed "with greater urgency". The current greed-driven economic crisis has added to global concerns, he said, and further constrained the WCC’s own financial situation.

Amid the many challenges, Kobia urged those present to maintain hope themselves, and not to lose focus.

"I plead with you not to lose sight of the greater picture or to get bogged down in the institutional necessities and concerns,” he said. “Let us always remind ourselves of the broader vision, which holds the key for the future of humanity and this world. This future has taken shape among us in Christ, in his death on the cross and resurrection."

(3350 Zeichen)

Conference of European Churches congratulates newly-elected WCC General Secretary

Geneva/Switzerland | 28.08.2009 | APD | WCC Central Committee

The Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, a pastor of the Church of Norway (Lutheran) has been elected as the new General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 2010. The election took place on 27 August in Geneva, where the Central Committee of CEC is currently meeting.

Since 2002 Rev. Fykse Tveit has served as the General Secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. In his position he has been involved in several events of the European churches, including the two last Assemblies of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in Trondheim, Norway (2003) and Lyon, France (2009).

The Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of CEC, commented immediately upon on his election: “I was delighted to hear of the election of the Rev. Olaf Fyske Tveit. In his support and participation in the life of CEC in the last years, as well as through his work on behalf of the Church of Norway, the General Secretary elect has demonstrated his deep commitment to the ecumenical journey. With the whole of CEC, I look forward to working with the new General Secretary and with the WCC in the coming years and pray that he will know rich blessing as he prepares for the new role to which God has called him”.

In a letter sent today to reinforce his congratulations, Williams added: “I am convinced that the gifts and skills and vision which you will bring to your new post will serve WCC, its member churches and its staff well as we go forward into a rapidly changing ecumenical situation. As you know CEC, in common with all other regional ecumenical organizations, is engaged in a process of reflecting with WCC on our respective roles within the WCC regions. I look forward to engaging with you on this issue especially so that together CEC and WCC can respond effectively to the longstanding call for a more coherent ecumenical movement”.

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 120 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

(2153 Zeichen)

New Agenda of WCC General secretary-elect: Unity remains central

Geneva/Switzerland | 28.08.2009 | APD | WCC Central Committee

World Council of Churches general secretary-elect Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit was asked on August 28 to outline his vision for the organization. He didn’t have to look far for inspiration.

A tapestry on the wall just to his left at the press conference, in the same hall where he was elected to the office the day before, displayed the words – in Greek – of Christ’s prayer in John 17: “. . . that they all may be one”.

“That is the foundation of the World Council of Churches, and its goal,” said Tveit, currently general secretary of the Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations. “Any vision for this work has to make that vision visible. It’s not the old agenda; it’s the new agenda, as well.”

Tveit went on to say that the WCC has particular gifts to offer the world, including a strong legacy of service, a unique global access through its network of churches, and a talented group of staff and members who can be God’s hands around the world.

Those gifts will be needed to address four major areas that Tveit identified as priorities Friday: solidarity among the world’s Christians, interreligious relationships, broader ecumenical connections and justice issues.

Tveit said many Christians today are minorities in the communities and countries where they live, or in areas that are suffering from violence or extreme poverty, or both.

“We can raise the voice of others, and we can strengthen the voice of others,” he said, noting the importance of accompaniment and advocacy.

In regard to other religions, Tveit said dialogue and work with Islam is particularly important in the current time. He cited the positive relationships he has had in his native Norway as moderator of the Church of Norway–Islamic Council of Norway contact group. Churches, he noted, have “great potential” to break down the various barriers that exist in the world.

He said the road forward begins with a simple premise: to “see one another as fellow human beings. All faiths call us to that.”

That same view, he said, needs to extend to the many Christian churches and faith groups who are not among the 349 member churches of the WCC. Tveit said cooperation among the various bodies is important for a common witness, as well as for areas “where we can challenge one another”.

He added that he looks forward to continuing the WCC’s strong ties with the Roman Catholic Church, which is not a WCC member but has a long-standing working relationship. Tveit called that partnership “one of the crucial relationships for this organization”.

And on justice issues, he pointed to the effects of climate change as one example. He noted the experiences of his region – particularly Greenland, which has dealt with “dramatic melting” of its snow and ice pack – as well as the Pacific, where some islands are slowly being submerged.

“To hear the voices (of those) who live with these changes now, not just what might happen in the future, is something very different,” Tveit said. He emphasized in answers to later questions that it is “a Christian duty to respond to the needs of our neighbour”.

He touched on a host of other issues during the 40-minute press conference, acknowledging that he has much to learn, reflect on and pray about in the four-plus months until he officially takes office. He said again that he’s looking forward to the work ahead, despite its daunting scope.

“It’s a challenging task,” Tveit said. “It’s not an impossible task. I think it also can be a very important task.”

(3565 Zeichen)
© Nachrichtenagentur APD Basel (Schweiz) und Ostfildern (Deutschland). Kostenlose Textnutzung nur unter der Bedingung der eindeutigen Quellenangabe "APD". Das © Copyright an den Agenturtexten verbleibt auch nach ihrer Veröffentlichung bei der Nachrichtenagentur APD. APD® ist die rechtlich geschützte Abkürzung des Adventistischen Pressedienstes.