Feature story
WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism moderator Rev. Michael Blair explained that the commission continues to engage the theme of “Mission as counter-creation” in planning the conference.
“The conference will be both a process and an event,” he said. “Over the next few months, the process will begin engaging mission agencies, partners, and member churches around the themes of reparation, decolonization, evangelism, and transforming discipleship, with a particular focus on engaging marginalized communities.”
Rev. Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba, WCC programme director for Unity and Mission, and Ecumenical Formation, described the heart of the commission’s work.
“As an expression of WCC's 'mission from the margins' commitment, this conference will amplify voices from the edges of society, ensuring that mission remains deeply rooted in justice, inclusion, and transformative action,” she said. “At the heart of our work is the good news of Jesus Christ—a message of hope, reconciliation, and new life for all people."
The first of three working groups, "Decolonising discipleship: Evangelism in action,” will focus on exploring how evangelism in practice announces and witnesses to the Gospel’s power to bring hope in times of crisis and challenge.
The group initiated a discussion on evangelism and its importance as well as its potential to shape societies and bring hope in challenging times.
The second working group, “Decolonising discipleship: mission as reparative justice,” will focus on deepening ecumenical mission theology as a reparative force against the legacies of colonisation and the powers of domination and marginalisation.
Initial discussions underlined recognising that colonialism hasn't stopped, and that colonial logic continues in lots of locations. Questions that emerged included: What are the tools for counter-creating? What’s best praxis for reparative justice?
The third working group, "Decolonising Discipleship: praxes and spiritualities,” will focus on communities of transformation and the witness and wisdom they bring to reshape mission praxes.
The group met and shared their stories and experiences and sought to give some shape to the brief for this working group. The group emphasised that outcomes and methods need to be respectful, inclusive, and invitational.
WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism
Learn more about the WCC work on Mission and Evangelism
Ecumenical Indigenous Peoples Network
WCC releases Indigenous Spiritualities, Land Rights, and Climate Justice report
