LWF Global Consultation Ends with Call for a More Proactive Church: Diakonia Is about Justice, ‘More Than the Strong Serving the Weak'

November 8, 2002

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – "Diakonia is more than the strong serving the weak. Those who benefit at the expense and exploitation of the poor must be named, confronted and brought to justice." This was one of the messages in a statement agreed upon by more than 80 delegates from Lutheran churches, partner organizations, social service agencies and institutions worldwide at the closing of a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) consultation on "Prophetic Diakonia – For the Healing of the World," in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The statement will be published in the form of an epistle, echoing the voices of the participants and summarizing the main points of agreement. The November 3-7 conference was dealing with the understanding of diakonia – church social service – in its national and international context.

"Churches are called to participate in the struggle of the poor in addressing poverty and to pursue alternatives that are just," the letter states, stressing that diakonia is more than social service – it always includes social change. To achieve this, "churches need to address governments, expecting them to carry out their fundamental responsibility to provide for the basic needs and rights of their people, including political, economic, social and cultural rights, and to challenge policies that perpetuate poverty and suffering. Churches should become more proactive in making efforts to work with governments, while at the same time, challenging them, when necessary, and keeping a critical distance so as not to be co-opted."

In the statement, churches are also challenged on the need to work together with other faiths, organizations and movements in civil society. "Although diakonia has explicitly Christian grounds, we also recognize that God is active... not only through the church. We must work with other partners ecumenically, with those of other faiths, and with others in civil society. Building cooperative strategic alliances is crucial." At the same time, churches are encouraged to organize advocacy at international levels as well. "Churches need to raise their voice more explicitly in favor of global mechanisms for protecting the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the vulnerable in all societies."

The diakonia consultation participants identified poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS as the three major issues that today challenge churches "to move into more prophetic expressions of diakonia." Confessing that the church has too often tolerated and even legitimized practices of violence – including through some of its theology and the ways in which power is structured – they admit in the letter, that this attitude has jeopardized the churches' prophetic voice and needs to be addressed. Thereby, "cultural values and practices that propagate or encourage violence must be rejected, and those that can contribute to bridge building and peace encouraged."

Similar response is called for when addressing HIV/AIDS. "Cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions must be challenged whenever they lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS." Moreover, the diakonia consultation participants urged the church to break the culture of silence with respect to the pandemic. "The church is living with HIV/AIDS; there are many living with HIV/AIDS in our midst ... Rather than with fearful or moralistic approaches, the church must reach out pastorally, with unqualified acceptance of those affected by HIV/AIDS. We must break out of our comfort zones to accompany those affected in ways that constantly safeguard and promote their rights and self esteem," they affirm in the final message.

Referring to the role of diakonia in the church, the letter clearly states, that diakonia is central to what it means to be Church. "As a core component of the Gospel, diakonia is not an option but an essential part of discipleship." The Lutheran communion of churches needs to be shaped by "a theology of the cross, which compels us to identify with and for the suffering rather than the successful." This also means that diakonia is part of the calling of all churches and all Christians in the world, irrespective of a church's resources and expertise. Both the materially rich and poor are challenged to practice diakonia as part of their calling.

The conference was organized by the LWF Department for World Service in conjunction with the Departments for Mission and Development as well as Theology and Studies. "For the Healing of the World" is the theme of the LWF Tenth Assembly, which will take place from 21-31 July 2003 in Winnipeg, Canada.

Lutheran World Information