July 28, 2006
By Joan G. LaBarr

SEOUL, South Korea – Speaking as a fellow Methodist, the chief executive of the World Council of Churches told the World Methodist Conference that the ecumenical movement is "at a turning point in its history."

In his July 22 presentation, the Rev. Samuel Kobia declared ecumenism to be "a topic in the best Wesleyan tradition." He cited Methodism founder John Wesley's assertion that "the New Testament knows nothing of solitary religion," and Jesus' initiative in entering into dialogue with those around him.

He noted that the World Council of Churches continues to adapt its structure to meet the challenges of the times and is reorganizing following its Ninth Assembly, held earlier this year in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Since its beginnings, three of the council's six chief executives have been Methodist.

Kobia affirmed that the council's basic concerns and commitments remain the same: Christian unity in faith and spirit; mission and evangelism; education and formation in discipleship; social action for justice and peace among all peoples; and dialogue with the contemporary world in all the diversity of its technologies, philosophies, ideologies and religions.

Reconciliation is the foundation for these commitments. "It is because of God's reconciling work in Jesus Christ that unity is possible among Christians, among churches, among peoples of different culture," he said.

Acknowledging the conference's presence on the Korean Peninsula, "so tragically divided between south and north for more than half a century," Kobia pointed out that the World Council of Churches has been involved in the issue of peace and reconciliation for Korea since 1984.

In the context of change and adaptation, the council has adopted a new consensus-oriented approach to decision-making and is re-examining the meaning of membership in a conciliar fellowship of churches.

The World Council of Churches has been exploring the possibility of widening its fellowship, Kobia said, noting its close work with the Roman Catholic Church and the many bilateral dialogues among world Christian communions resulting in landmark agreements, such as the Catholic-Lutheran Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, which as of July 23 now includes world Methodists.

Lifting up the council as a place to provide "ecumenical space" where relationships can be safely discussed and enhanced, Kobia described an invitation to representatives of many churches and para-church groups to consider the creation of a "global Christian forum."

He called on Methodist churches to study the "Called to be One Church" document adopted in Brazil, which will be discussed at the next World Council of Churches assembly. The document asks for expression of a renewed commitment to search for unity and renewed discussions on key issues that unite – and sometimes divide – Christian churches.

"Friends, as the World Council's general secretary, but also as a Methodist, I am hoping that many churches around the world will engage with this text, and through it will deepen their engagement with the churches around them and with the whole ecumenical movement," he said.

United Methodist News Service
Joan G. LaBarr is director of communications for the United Methodist Church's North Texas Annual Conference. She managed the World Methodist Conference newsroom in Seoul, South Korea.