March 7, 2006
Lent 2006
God, in Your grace, transform the world
This was the theme of the Ninth Assembly of the World Council
of Churches held on the campus of the Pontifical Catholic University
in Porto Alegre, Brazil, February 14–23. I had the joy and
privilege of being one of the over 4,000 participants from the
348 member churches of the WCC coming from 110 countries. It was
a glorious and stimulating experience of encounters, dialogue,
celebration, worship, prayer, reflection, and challenge—a
"spiritual" assembly with enhanced participation of
youth and people with disabilities.
The Archbishop of Canterbury reminded us that our Christian identity
is "to be in Christ" or "to belong in a place that
Jesus defines for us."
I am proud to be a global Christian
Gathered under a huge colorful circus tent, participants processed
with symbolic gifts to place on the table at the opening prayer.
Each offering represented God’s blessings in that region
and the diversity of responses: from Africa a stone; from Asia
a bell; from the Caribbean sugar cane; from Europe a reindeer
calfskin; from Latin America fruit and a Salvadoran cross; from
the Middle East a Coptic icon; from North America sweet grass,
wheat, and corn; from the Pacific, a mat and a bowl.
The magnificent Brazilian choir led us in singing "God,
in your Grace, Transform the World" in Portuguese, Spanish,
English, French, and German. Colorful traditional clothing. Orthodox
robes. Incense. African drums. This is the church to which I belong.
The gifts and insights of the global church enrich us. The problems
and struggles of the global church are ours too. We pray for our
sisters and brothers who suffer, who face hunger and injustice.
We listen to many voices and languages. No one is a stranger to
us. We live and pray globally.
I am proud to be an ecumenical Christian
There were hundreds of workshops. I gave one on evangelism and
social justice with a Catholic priest from Tanzania who teaches
in Switzerland. It was moderated by an Anglican pastor from Canada.
The room was filled with Protestant, Pentecostal, Orthodox, and
Catholic Christians from around the world. I suggested that each
church should grow by evangelizing and forming disciples with
respect and bold humility and that we call all to engage in compassionate
diaconal service and pursue social justice as we seek the values
of God’s Realm.
I am proud to be a Christian in Latin America
It was the first WCC Assembly held in Latin America. The gracious
Brazilian host was the National Council of Christian Churches
(CONIC), which includes Catholics and Protestants. From the theological
connections of God’s grace and human dignity, to the Brazilian
rhythms and drums which prefaced every plenary session, to the
festive celebration of life, to the excellent infrastructure and
hospitality on the campus, to the joyful presentations of choirs
from Cuba, Uruguay, Argentina, and Bolivia, I was proud to be
a part of the host continent. There was a dynamic Latin American
celebration with drama and music on Sunday evening.
Daily the aroma of Brazilian organic coffee and sounds of live
Latin music invited all to stop by the “Café Teológico,”
a place to encounter theologians and professors, especially from
throughout Latin America. Each day there were panels, presentations,
and book signings. It was the setting for the release of the translations
of my book Called as Partners in Christ’s Service in Spanish
and Portuguese, part of a new series, "Partners in God’s
Mission."
I am proud to be a PC(USA) Christian
I joined in Brazil’s spirit of hospitality and helped arrange
a dinner hosted by Cliff Kirkpatrick, PC(USA)’s Stated Clerk,
for nearly 70 members of the PC(USA) attending the Assembly. I
also accompanied Maria Arroyo, area coordinator for Latin America
and the Caribbean, in conversations and meals with several of
our partner churches and institutions.
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