WCC NEWS: In Finland, WCC general secretary reflects on the church’s mission in challenging times

Speaking during the International Mission Partnership Consultation in Finland on 27 August, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay reflected on “Church in changing landscapes: God’s Mission and Our Own.” Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay adress during the International Mission Partnership Consultation in Finland on 27 August 2024. Photo: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland 27 August 2024 An international event of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the consultation was last held in 2014 in Järvenpää, Finland.  “I want to argue that, yes, absolutely, Christianity and the actions of Christians and their churches can be crucial—one might almost say redemptive—in addressing the problems of our world at their deepest root,” said Pillay. “I believe that the most recent developments in thinking about mission and evangelism can be of catalytic importance to contemporary churches, especially in clarifying their essential roles.” Pillay acknowledged that attempts to define Christian mission have resulted in prolonged and relentless debates. “Even more difficult is the task of determining the aims of the mission,” he said. “The understanding of the church as sacrament, sign, and instrument has led to a new perception of the relationship between the church and the world.” Pillay explored the question:  What then is mission today?  “No doubt, mission and mission theology have been central in developing the ecumenical movement,” he said. “It is God’s mission, and we must partner with others in transforming the world.” Pillay noted that we must embrace the holistic view of mission. “Dynamism, justice, diversity, and transformation are key concepts of mission today,” he said. “The ecumenical movement brings this wider perspective of Christian mission to churches and enables them to work together in unity to transform the world.” Pillay also described the mission of the church as following in the footsteps of proclaiming Christ’s love to the world. “The church needs to stand where God stands and not get mixed up with the rich and powerful,” he said. “Together we can make a difference in the world.” Pillay also asked: How do we work toward healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation? “In part based on my experience in South Africa, I believe that, following the example of Christ’s love, churches ought to help people to be brought into spaces to forgive, be forgiven, and seek reconciliation,” he said. “The love of Christ reconciles a lost and broken world, not only to God but to the whole creational order which is renewed by the sacrifice of Christ.” There can be no peace without justice, Pillay noted. “Christians are called to work for just peace in the world,” he said. “The Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity thus reframes our historic commitments—to unity, public witness, and service—to meet head on the existential challenges we face today: to walk in this world in ways which make all things new.” International Mission Partnership Consultation 2024 - EVL Plus International Mission Partnership Consultation 2024 - YouTube Link to the full keynote address  See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland