“Historic” was the word of the day today as the World Evangelical Alliance, World Council of Churches and Vatican launched a landmark document on the ethics of mission.
“Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World” is the first joint document of its kind in church history and seeks to identify not only the biblical call to evangelism but also the ethical mandates of Christian witness.
Its launch in Geneva, Switzerland, today comes follows five years of discussions between the WCC, WEA and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council on Inter-religious Dialogue.
WEA Secretary General Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe said it was a “historic document” and a “historic moment” for the three bodies, who together represent more than 90 per cent of the world’s total Christian population.
Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the WCC said the document was a testimony to their search for unity. He said the document would give “strength” to the joint witness of Christians to the Gospel.
The document then goes on to make six recommendations to Christians, church bodies, mission organisations and agencies. These are: to study the document; build respect and trust with people of all religions; strengthen religious identity and faith whilst deepening knowledge and understanding of different religions; advocate justice and respect for the common good; call on governments and representatives to ensure religious freedom for all people; pray for the wellbeing of neighbours; and recognise that prayer is integral to the Christian life and Christian mission.
Dr Tunnicliffe noted that in some sense there was “nothing new” in the document, but added that what was written down had “never been so clearly stated and within the context of [the WEA, the WCC, and the Vatican]."
He expressed his hope that it would build new bridges between Christians as well as with different faith communities.
Tunnicliffe said he hoped it would be the first of many such joint initiatives between the WEA, WCC and Vatican.
