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The voices of the churches in the international arena—
Ranging across the globe, this vital compendium of documents covers an astonishing array of engagement by Christian churches through the World Council of Churches and its Commission of the Churches in International Affairs: war and peace, regional and national conflicts, disarmament and nuclear weapons, violence against women, economic justice, climate justice, freedom of religion, religious intolerance, ethnic and indigenous people’s struggles—the list goes on.

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The common study of the sources of authority shows that the church cannot exist without, beyond, or above authority. The church sustains the authority of God. And here comes the clash with the secular world.

Living and witnessing to their faith in the first centuries after the New Testament, the men and women of the early church—theologians and bishops, ascetics and martyrs—have exerted a profound influence and authority in the subsequent theological and ecclesial periods and traditions.

Stories of desperation and hope. Assuming the voices of African women, Jessie Fubara-Manual introduces us to the concrete realities of their lives in vivid description, insightful analysis, and abiding hope. Through her, we come to know their joys and pains and the systemic evils that they daily battle.

Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem!—

The symbolic axis of the world, the birthplace of great religious traditions, the ancient site and contemporary center of mighty contention, Jerusalem evokes fascination, devotion, and deep pain. Clare Amos’s lifelong engagement with the city, its people, and its history yields this loving yet insightful view of the city’s dynamic identity.

A bridge of healing across historic divisions—

In this bracing work, theologian Meehyun Chung plots the emergence, development and special issues of Korean feminist theology against the complex historical and religious context of her nation. With a strong moral voice grounded in biblical, religious and cultural analysis, she demonstrates the pertinence of feminist contextual theological insights to the decades-long divisions in Korea but also to a critical understanding of power, spirituality and social justice in the whole oikoumene.

Rethinking the foundational elements in economics-

Edward Dommen has taken up the challenge and breaks fresh ground. His shrewd critique of conventional economics is supported by a penetrating use of biblical and Reformation teachings, and he convincingly shows that another world can be made - is - possible." --Gilbert Rist, author of The Delusions of Economics

What does Christian identity mean in the face of religious pluralism? In some ways the frontier of global Christianity lies not in repairing its past divisions so much as bravely facing its future in a world of many other faiths and conflicting convictions. Douglas Pratt’s new work is a brief history, astute analysis, and trustworthy guide for Christian encounter in this pluralistic environment.

This compilation of stories depicts the challenges
and successes of various struggles for water justice by member churches and organizations of the Ecumenical Water Network. AVAILABLE MARCH 2015

"God of life, lead us to justice and peace”
Under this theme, the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches drew 3500 registrants and thousands of other visitors from 100 countries to Busan, Republic of Korea, in late 2013. This indispensable volume not only records the essential business and actions of the assembly. It also captures something of the intellectual and religious energy of the assembly’s key presentations, discussions, and statements.

The International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC), organized by the World Council of Churches in May 2011, brought together more than one thousand participants from more than 100 countries around the world. This historic gathering encouraged individuals and churches to renew their commitment to nonviolence and peace with justice and gave impetus for the wider ecumenical family and its related constituencies to pursue their search for peace.

Ranging across a century of active Christian engagement, historical theologian Keith Clements finds in the ecumenical movement a radical openness that has served to enliven, sustain, and renew Christianity through tumultuous times. Indeed, in the itch to encounter and learn from others very different from ourselves, to "live in more than one place at once," Clements identifies a core element in ecumenical Christian spirituality that is perhaps more relevant today than ever before.

In an era in which life itself is imperilled, Christians around the world are challenged to authentic witness to the God of life and to justice and peace. Ecumenical Visions, prepared as a core resource for theological education and reflection in advance of the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, equips Christians to discern and develop relevant and responsible insights in many arenas of Christian engagement.

While clergy abuse of children has received worldwide attention from media and legal authorities, little has been written about the more widespread and devastating phenomenon of clergy abuse of adult women. This prophetic project breaks the silence and gathers the resources to address a problem that undermines the very foundations of pastoral work and institutional Christianity.

When Pastors Prey not only brings forward the stories of many women whose trust has been abused by their pastors. It also offers a helpful framework in which to understand and address the problem.

Ultimately, clergy sexual abuse of women is but the most horrific expression of longstanding Christian misunderstanding and mistreatment of women.  This volume illuminates not only the phenomenon but its roots and—in brave hope—its cures.

Focusing on the global picture and on all religions, not least Christianity, in this book author Konrad Raiser closely probes the relationship between religion and politics in all its rich, promising, and sometimes deadly combinations.

“New refreshing insights on our understanding of the gospel in the 21st century from our ancient past—this is the surprising impact of what is captured in this small book in which the thoughts of early church figures are brought alive in a new way.” —Setri Nyomi, World Communion of Reformed Churches, General Secretary

At once the instrument of and obstacle to Christian unity, the identity of the church itself has often been the subject of debate and division in Christian history. Yet, despite such diversity and the steep challenges presented by the present context, The Church: Towards a Common Vision presents a genuine ecumenical convergence of understanding on the fundamental character and mission of the Church from a variety of communions, traditions, and regions.

HIV—the ongoing challenge to churches and church leaders—

Almost thirty-five years after the advent of HIV and AIDS, churches, church bodies and church leaders are developing competence in handling the enormous personal, communal, cultural and religious dimensions of the epidemic. Yet the challenge is ongoing and global. While the rate of new infections is declining in Africa, for example, it is on the rise in Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Report of the International Consultation "Towards an Ecumenical Advocacy on Rights of Stateless People", organized by World Council of Churches / Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, 27 February - 1 March 2013 in Washington D.C., U.S.A

“Receiving one another in the name of Christ”—

In the time and spirit of the Second Vatican Council, in 1965 a joint working group between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches was inaugurated. It has served as a catalyst to fruitful collaborations between the two bodies, supported the ecumenical endeavours of each other, and launched special projects of its own.