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Churches on the move amidst changing landscapes

The pre-assembly event of the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism saw churches' renewed commitment and different approaches to mission and evangelism in a context of rapid change in society, politics and church.

"Transformative spirituality is a breath of fire"

Transformative spiritualities and mission is a significant point of discussion at the pre-assembly event of the WCC Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) which is currently under way in Manila. Transformative spiritualities are also one of the constituent themes of the CWME statement on mission and evangelism that will be presented to the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Korea in 2013. Dr Rico Palaca Ponce, academic director of the Institute of Spirituality in Asia based in Quezon City, the Philippines, gave an interview on the topic on 23 March.

CWME invokes new understanding of mission and evangelism

Since 1982 there has been only one official statement of the World Council of Churches (WCC) on mission and evangelism. Now in 2012 the WCC's Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) is preparing another statement to invoke new understanding of mission and evangelism amidst changing world and ecclesial scenarios.

New WCC video on world mission and evangelism

A new video from the World Council of Churches (WCC) called The Changing Face of Mission explores the history of mission since the 1910 Edinburgh conference on mission, and how during the past century mission has changed.

Christians in India call for a respectful approach to mission

“Christians are to acknowledge that changing one’s religion is a decisive step that must be accompanied by sufficient time for reflection and preparation, through a process ensuring full personal freedom.” This assertion is one of the guiding principles for Christian mission in India suggested in early March by a consultation convened under the leadership of the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore University (BTESSC).

Churches say “No more violence in the name of God”

“Before God and our communities, we are responsible to Jews for the historical and ongoing realities of anti-Semitism, to Palestinians since the Nakba, to Muslim neighbours in the light of Islamophobia, to persons who are vulnerable, and to victims of colonial conquest, among others," said participants of a World Council of Churches (WCC) sponsored conference.

Bossey inaugurates its new guest house and conference hall

The Ecumenical Institute of Bossey inaugurated its recently renovated guest house and a new conference hall on 14 February, expanding its facilities for the use of churches, ecumenical bodies, local and international organizations and individual visitors.

Responding to HIV with faith and courage

Rev. Dr Nyambura Njoroge is always reminding herself of the daily lives of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Their battle for dignity and enormous resilience keeps inspiring her while she coordinates World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative for Africa (EHAIA).

Fighting ignorance, fear and stigma through Bible study

The shock expressed by members of a rural congregation when offered an opportunity for voluntary HIV testing and counselling, and other similar experiences have taught Pauline Wanjiru Njiru that it is not the Human Immunodeficiency Virus that kills people, but fear, stigma and ignorance.

Accelerating the church's response to HIV

“The speed with which you run depends on what is chasing you.” One of Ezra Chitando's favorite African proverbs also captures his beliefs regarding the church's long-term commitment to meeting HIV-related challenges.

WCC starts Global Theological Education Survey

The last time a significant empirical study on the role and challenges of theological education in so-called mission fields was presented was during the 1910 World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh.

Call for common charter on quality of theological education

A common charter reflecting the essential elements of quality in theological education for schools of all denominational backgrounds was proposed recently by representatives of the World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions (WOCATI) at a meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Central Africa: Breaking the silence on human sexuality and HIV

Hendrew Lusey has never forgotten the words he first heard at a World Council of Churches (WCC) workshop on human sexuality in 2002. At that time, he had recently been appointed the regional coordinator for central Africa with the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA).

Asian forum calls for closer cooperation in theological training

A communiqué has been issued following a June meeting of the Asian Forum on Theological Education (AFTE), in which 15 representatives of diverse regional and national Christian associations call for solidarity in theological education in Asian churches “transcending stereotyped views of each other as ‘ecumenicals’, ‘evangelicals’ or ‘charismatics’”. Theological educators throughout Asia are requested to engage in closer dialogue, networking, the sharing of resources and cooperation in training of church leaders.

WCC's HIV work reaches quarter-century mark

The HIV pandemic has been on the world stage for three decades now.  For most of that time the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its member churches have been deeply involved in making churches and theological institutions HIV-competent, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Promoting visibility of theological education and research in Europe

Fourteen participants representing the theological faculties as well as networks and associations of institutions of higher theological education in Europe gathered for the constitutive meeting of the Coordinating Committee for the Graz Process. The meeting took place from 26-28 May 2011 in Graz, Austria.