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Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to them be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!—Ephesians 3:20-21
Good evening. It is my particular pleasure and privilege to greet you this evening on behalf of the full global fellowship of the World Council of Churches, representing more than half a billion of your fellow Christians. I am delighted to be with you.
I also bring heartfelt thanks from my colleagues and our 356 member churches for the tireless service and dedication that you Disciples have offered over many decades to the work of the council and to the global ecumenical movement. Indeed, even now your General Minister and President, Terri Hord Owens, ably represents you on our central and executive committees and contributes wisely to several of our programmes.
We are deeply grateful that an ecumenical commitment to Christian unity has been a hallmark of the Christian Church and Disciples of Christ since your very beginnings, two centuries ago.
Of course, now we meet in troubling times, when the massive problems of the world seem to wash up on our very doorsteps. The global has become local, and vice-versa. All the more reason, therefore, to gather together here to bolster our faith and renew our commitment to lives and ministries that in return reach out from our very doorsteps to the whole world, fostering justice and peace.
No less is required of us. Yet, however daunting that task, our faith gives us hope and confidence in God's promise of a future of life abundant for all. After all, God is “the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” and God is “the power that is at work within us.” Our shared faith in God and love for Christ leads us beyond divisions and boundaries of race and class and gender to discover our shared humanity. Our hope leads us beyond provincial borders to find common cause with other Christians everywhere and with other religions and all people of good will. Our love leads us beyond our own fears and desires to present ourselves as agents of reconciliation to bring hope and wholeness to our fragmented world.
So this evening I offer my hope and prayers that in your time here you will celebrate and honour that promise as you enjoy friendship and fellowship, worship God and ponder God’s word, and deliberate and decide how best to build up God’s New Creation here on Earth. As your fellow disciple of the Lord, I am happy to join you in that endeavour.
Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay
General secretary
World Council of Churches
