May 10, 2005

It is time for confession, repentance and a deep conversion in thinking and attitudes, the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia told participants at the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism.

Kobia addressed some 700 participants at the opening session of the conference being held 9-16 May near Athens. In his remarks, he acknowledged that "‘mission' carries a heavy historical baggage, having played a part in fostering division and conflict – between peoples, and even between families of churches." "So perhaps the time has come for confession, and repentance," he suggested.

The WCC general secretary affirmed that Christians are summoned to "conversion" both in "thinking and attitudes." The shift of the demographic centre of Christianity from the North to the South has "spiritual, moral, theological, (and) missiological" implications." "Our vision must undergo a corresponding conversion," he said.

According to Kobia, "forms of expressing our faith that grew out of European culture are no longer normative." Today, mission spreads from unexpected directions, "borne by brothers and sisters who have received gifts of the Spirit that were never monopolized by European or North American intermediaries."

The ecumenical movement therefore faces a double challenge. On the one hand, it must open itself up to "new manifestations of the Spirit" that "though often providing healing, joy and comfort, may also create tensions and disunity among churches." On the other hand, it needs to avoid becoming "detached from the truth, tradition and theology of historic communities that have faithfully served God for 2000 years."

At this historical juncture, the "first mission conference of the new millennium" gains a strategic relevance. "It is my hope that this conference will encourage broad dialogue on Christian witness, joined by participants from diverse traditions," Kobia said.

In addressing some of the challenges that Christians face in the world today, he highlighted the manipulation of religious identities "for narrow nationalistic and economic ends." "I encourage this mission conference, focusing on a theme of healing and reconciliation, to highlight peace and non-violence as gospel imperatives," he said.

The full text of the remarks is available on the conference website at: http://www.mission2005.org/> Resources> Documents

World Council of Churches