Dr Robert K Welsh, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States
1.What are the most burning issues you are facing regarding the role of the churches in your society?
In some ways it is fairly easy to prepare a response to this question because this was a key issue on the agenda of the Annual Meeting of the US Conference of the WCC this past December, 2008, and most of the reflections and comments from that meeting would still represent what we believe are the "most burning issues" we are facing regarding the role of the churches in our society. In the statement produced from that meeting by heads of communion addressed to the incoming President of the United States, several major issues were identified, including:
* To repair the breach of trust between individuals and entire nations, and replenish goodwill with our neighbors near and far;
* To rekindle and lift up the common good over self-interest and greed;
* To restore the sense of human dignity of each person regardless of race or class;
* To recognize our own complicity as Christians and churches in building a predatory economy on the backs of those most vulnerable, and reconstruct an economy with an emphasis not just on the middle class, but on the poor;
* To renew a concrete, measurable commitment to human rights;
* To rebuild an education system that attends to the needs of all of society;
* To replenish God's good creation in whatever ways possible; and,
* To recommit ourselves to the right of every person to have access to health care.
To this list, Disciples would add a special emphasis on two specific
issues:
(1) addressing racism, both personal and systemic racism, that continue to undermine and cripple the life of our churches and of our society in almost every aspect of our life; and,
(2) witnessing and proclaiming the good news of Christ in a society that is captured by consumerism and greed, and not on the up-building of all persons.
An emerging theme within the Disciples of Christ that begins to address this broad range of 'burning issues' is the call to "be and become a multi-cultural, multi-racial, and multi-ethnic and fully inclusive community of God's love."
2. How can the fellowship of member churches support the churches in the situation you are facing?
I believe that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) sees the fellowship of member churches (especially those member churches of the WCC here in the US) as supporting the situation in our nation and society, especially as we work and collaborate together within the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. We affirm the oneness of the ecumenical movement, and want to claim that -- while each has its own integrity and organizational life -- the work of the WCC and the NCCC are to be mutually supportive, seeking cooperation in programming and common witness.
3. In which regard and how can your experience enrich and be of relevance to the fellowship?
The one area where I believe there needs to be more intentional work and attention by the WCC is in the area of communication - that is, where the WCC is actively listening to and sharing the "results" of its member communions in their efforts to address issues related to Church and Society. By listening and by sharing what is received from the member churches across the life and fellowship of the WCC, I believe the ecumenical movement would be enriched and empowered. Too often the impression is given that, "If a program or statement wasn't developed by the WCC, then something isn't truly global in its importance." And yet, many of the most significant things being done by the church in addressing the "burning issues" in our society are happening locally and nationally (usually with the global perspective and experience in mind).
One specific example for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) would be the work being done in our Common Global Ministries between the Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ in educating our regional leadership, our young adults, and our congregations to the vision of a mission built upon the concept of "critical presence" that brings together the local and the global as ministry is shaped in responding to the issues "at home" and beyond our national borders. (For more information on "critical presence," go to:
www.globalministries.org/resources/mission-study/college-of-missi
on/critical-presence.html
<www.globalministries.org/resources/mission-study/college-of-miss
ion/critical-presence.html> )
On behalf of the WCC CC member Rev Dr Sharon Watkins, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States
Dr Robert K Welsh, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States
