Call to Break Tradition of Understanding Diakonia as 'Humble Service'

Norwegian Kjell Nordstokke Cautions against Diaconal Servility Attitude

November 5, 2002

JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) – On the second day of a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) consultation on church social service taking place in Johannesburg, the concept of "prophetic diakonia" was discussed from different perspectives.

Dr. Kjell Nordstokke, director of Diakonhjemmet Hospital and College in Oslo, Norway, challenged the conference participants to "break with the tradition of understanding diakonia as self-effacing, humble service." He pointed out that the history of diakonia (church social service) shows the strong influence of piousness, which has often resulted in an attitude of obedience and silent service.

Nordstokke was speaking at the LWF Global Consultation on "Prophetic Diakonia – For the Healing of the World," taking place in Johannesburg from November 3-7, with over 80 participants from Lutheran churches and partner organizations worldwide.

According to Nordstokke, "Institutional diakonia, in spite of its important role in the development of modern health and social services, has as a whole always been loyal to the established order, both in church and society." He challenged international diakonia to examine its "loyalty to ruling and changing development ideologies and practices elaborated in the North, and to political rulers, both in the North and South." Attitudes, defended as neutral or professional should be examined if they are not "modern versions of [diaconal] servility," he said.

Nordstokke emphasized that one should differentiate between political and prophetic diakonia. Political diakonia expresses the very important political dimension of diaconal work, he explained. "It must be conscious of its socio-political role and be ready to speak out when that is necessary," he noted. Prophetic diakonia, on the other hand, relates to the "intrinsic nature of diakonia, affirming that the prophetic task is part of the mandate and authority that God has given the church."

Speaking on the relationship between prophecy and diakonia, he explained that both have the task of "finding ways and building bridges in the direction of renewal and transformation." He reminded his audience of the prophets who were strong defenders of justice, and reacted strongly when the God-given law was broken. Therefore diakonia should never be silent, but a combination of word and action. "The church needs to be constantly renewed and reminded of its God-given mandate and to be on the road – even when this is the way of the cross, " he concluded his presentation.

Ms Shanta Shrestha from Nepal, currently development coordinator with the LWF Department for World Service (DWS) Eritrea program, spoke on the topic, "The World Provokes Us – Poverty, the Challenge of Today." She explained the different concepts of poverty as well as the different national and international strategies with respect to poverty reduction. Defining poverty was important, she stressed, as "our definition of poverty sets out the future framework of our work, including the chosen target groups."

Shrestha identified inequality and cultural traditions as two of the root causes of poverty. Especially in the third world, the culture of discrimination and patriarchy is often restraining poverty reduction, she maintained and demanded that "we have to create a new culture, rather than protecting a culture that is pushing us backward." With respect to the task of religious organizations, she suggested that churches should play a role in the spiritual awakening for liberating poor people from the "fatalistic attitude based on Christian ethos. There is need to break the structure of poverty through political action and advocacy and deconstruct the present structure of inequality by empowering the poor to take action towards transformation."

Participants in the consultation are drawn from Lutheran churches, partner organizations and social service agencies and institutions worldwide. The conference is being organized by the LWF – DWS in collaboration with the Departments for Mission and Development and Theology and Studies. It is hosted by four LWF member churches in Southern Africa namely, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Southern Africa (Cape Church) and Natal-Transvaal, and Moravian Church in South Africa.

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