The ecumenical conversation on “human security” at the World Council of Churches (WCC) 10th Assembly was an exercise in changing the concept of what security means, as well as opening minds and hearts to the suffering of those who live in insecurity around the world.
Thoughts on Mission and Unity from the WCC 10th Assembly
Each day at the World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea, has focused on a particular subtheme related to either the overall theme and prayer of the meeting–“God of life, lead us to justice and peace”–or the main goals of the ecumenical movement. Monday of this week focused on mission, Tuesday focused on unity. Here are just a few of the thoughts about mission and unity:
“Mission belongs to the very being of the church.” — A leader of the World Evangelical Alliance bringing greetings to the assembly during the plenary session on mission. He also said in his remarks that, “Witnessing to the gospel should never be done in a way that overturns human dignity.”
Leading EYN Through Its Most Difficult Time: An Interview with Samuel Dante Dali
Samuel Dante Dali, president of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN–the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), attended the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly as delegate for the Nigerian Brethren. Here he talks about the increase of terrorist violence in northeast Nigeria where members of EYN have been among the many killed in attacks by extremist Islamists.
First Impressions: Words and Images from the Opening Days of the WCC 10th Assembly
Sound bites in words and images from opening days of the World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, South Korea–the 10th for the WCC. Held only every 7 or 8 years, each WCC assembly represents the largest and diverse gathering of Christian denominations from around the world. The Church of the Brethren is a founding member.
New Video Series Asks, “Why NYC?”
The National Youth Conference Office has launched a weekly video series called “Why NYC Wednesdays.” It features young adults from around the denomination reflecting on what their NYC experience meant to them and sharing reasons why current youth should make NYC a #1 priority next summer.
Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 303 Begins Service
Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 303 has completed orientation and the volunteers have been sent across the US and into Europe and Latin America to begin a term of service.
On the Way to Busan: The Brethren Delegation Share Their Hopes and Dreams for the WCC Assembly
It is not unusual that this size of a delegation from the Church of the Brethren would be present at a World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly, says general secretary Stan Noffsinger. What has changed is the number of delegates “and our involvement in the deliberations,” he adds.
The WCC Assembly by the Numbers
The WCC Assembly in South Korea will be the largest and most diverse gathering of Christians ever. What will happen in Korea will be a unique moment in the worldwide Christian ecumenical movement. According to a release by Ka Hyun MacKenzie Shin and Roddy MacKenzie, those coming to Korea for this extraordinary gathering include….
Newsline for Oct. 25, 2013
1) Mission and Ministry Board adopts 2014 budget, revision of Ministerial Leadership Polity, recommendation on equitable representation. 2) Getting the best value for your Medicare Part D dollars 3) Webinar on short-term mission trips takes place Nov. 5. 4) Booz, Cassell, and Hosler named as consultants for the next year. PREVIEW OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 10th ASSEMBLY 5) WCC general secretary speaks about hopes for the council’s 10th assembly. 6) Divided Korean peninsula is steeped in decades of pain and sadness. 7) Christian activists pray and fast to protest nuclear dangers in Busan and beyond. 8) Peace Train takes a journey towards reunification of the Koreas. 9) ‘Thursdays in Black’ shows zero tolerance for violence against women. 10) The WCC Assembly by the numbers. 11) Brethren bits
MMB Adopts Budget, Revision of Ministerial Leadership Polity, Recommendation on Equitable Representation
A budget for 2014 and responses to business sent back by Annual Conference–the Ministerial Leadership document and a query on equitable representation–were on the agenda of the Mission and Ministry Board Oct. 18-21. The meeting was chaired by Becky Ball Miller. Also on the agenda were the strategic plan, financial policies, capital proposals, discussion of the Brethren Service Center, celebration of Gather ’Round, the Annual Conference delegate travel stipend, terms of board members, and reports.