Further steps towards unity and co-operation

"God of life, lead us to justice and peace". This prayer headed the 10th General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan. More that 3000 Christians from all over the world met from October 29th to November 8th in South Korea. They exchanged in bible studies, worships workshops and ecumenical conversations about the outstanding topics of the meeting.

Overcoming borders

These meeting helped overcoming borders and blockades, to learn about other forms of church life and spirituality and to cherish them. Despite all different opinions on ethical questions all delegates were willing to take further steps towards unity and co-operation. This came true also for the relations to the Pentacostal and charismatic churchs, whose delegates were not only present but actively integrated into the programme.

Difficult situation in the middle east

The daily plenary meetings discussed about mission, unity of churches or hustice and peace. Church leaders as well as spokespersons of Christian basis initiatives called upon the WCC to put victims of discrimination, exclusion and vilonce in the centre of the daily church life, work and praying. Especially the situation of the Christians in the Middle East was mentioned, who encounter presecution and the limitation of their human right of religious freedom. Delegates especially from Europe, the Pacific and Northern America argued in favor of putting climate change and environmental destruction into the centre of the programatic work of WCC and its pigrimage toward justice and peace.

UEM's presence at the assembly

UEM is a associated member of WCC and was represented by Dr Jochen Motte und Dr Claudia Währisch-Oblau on the General Assembly. In two workshops, a thematic forum and panel discussion of act alliance the UEM gave impulses on its international climate justice programme and on a study process on evangelism and popular culture. Climate and Environment Evangelism and Popular Culture