Prepare the Way: World Council of Churches Meet to Empower Change

Sr. Dr. Teresa Joseph fma –

Nairobi (Kenya): The World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME) held its first meeting from July 5-11, 2024 at the All Africa Conference of Churches headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting, hosted by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) in collaboration with WCC-CWME, brought together members of the CWME, guests providing leadership to various ministries, and members of the WCC Central Committee.

The meeting, held under the theme “Preparing the Way…mission as Counter Creating”, aimed to map out the commission’s work for the coming months and years. The gathering created an atmosphere of friendship, spontaneity, and mutual respect, guided by the WCC’s Code of Conduct for Meetings and Events.

Keeping in mind the Code of Conduct for WCC Meetings and Events (approved by the WCC executive committee in May 2022), the Commission’s first in-person meeting was held in an environment of camaraderie, spontaneity, and respect for one another.

The participants were profoundly affected by the Land acknowledgement and opening worship, which were conducted by Mikie Roberts and featured a skilled local choir. The participants’ genuine sense of engagement, sharing, and dedication was fostered by the daily opening worship, Bible study, group discussions, sharing at assembly, closing worship, etc., which allowed them to see the efficiency and productivity that teamwork can provide.

Each day of the meet had clearly spelt out Key aims. The key aims to the programme for the day, Saturday July 6 were: Building community and setting our gathering in the African context, orientation to mission and evangelism in Africa, Kenya, experiencing worship and reflecting on a mission theology to accompany us. Reflection and plenary feedback were on: As we think about our context, what ‘ways’ are Africa showing us? The Bible study: Isa 57: 14 – 21/Isa 62: 10-12, was led by Rev. Lilian Karinga.

Sunday July 7th: Theme – Preparing the Way: A mission model. Key aims to the programme for the day: Experiencing worship and reflecting on a mission theology to accompany us. The Worship in communities in Nairobi hosted by Anglican Presbyterian and Orthodox churches with fraternal sharing of meal together did enrich the participants.

In the afternoon, the participants reflected upon: ‘Preparing the Way.’ Mission as counter creating. This was followed by Naming the counter-creativity in our communities. To share the testimony of our own work, the Commissioners brought an object and in small groups described how/why that object is significant for him/her in ministry, the change each one is creating, or the alternative ways of living our community represents which will feature in our reflections on mission as seeking to prepare the way for the coming new creation.

Monday July 8: Theme – Declaring the Way – This day was a very special one as the Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network (EDAN), who are a part of the Commission was celebrating their 25th anniversary and the participants had an opportunity to partake actively in this momentous milestone. Declaring the Way, Key aims to the programme for the day: Celebrating EDAN 25 and deepening our engagement with the WCC programme plan. The bible study: Luke 1: 67 – 79 was led by Rev Dawn Gikandi. Preparing the Way part 2 Panel discussion with T6, F&O EDAN, EIP and EMW, T6 Overcoming racism (Small group work) did create the context for Plenary harvesting ideas and impressions for the working groups to consider. EDAN 25 celebration event gave opportunity to get to know how open and inclusive The WCC is to Ecumenical Disability Advocacy Network. This is undoubtedly a style of living to Declare the Way, Repair the way, Walk the way …

Tuesday July 9th Daily: Theme – Repairing the Way – Key aims to the programme for the day: Clarifying the areas of focus, desired outcomes and beginning the work of the working groups. The Bible study Ezekiel 33: 13 – 16, led by Jenne Pieters set the tone for the participants to be in Working groups for the remainder of the day.

Decolonising discipleship: Evangelism in praxis – The working group focused on exploring how evangelism in practice announces and witnesses to the Gospel’s power to bring hope in times of crisis and challenge.

Decolonising discipleship: Mission as reparative justice -The working group focused on deepening ecumenical mission, theology as a reparative force against the legacies of colonisation and the powers of domination and marginalisation.

Decolonising Discipleship: Praxes and spiritualities -The working group focused on communities of transformation and the witness and wisdom they bring to reshape mission praxes.

All the groups shared on processing the meeting so far, sharing background of work so far, highlighting what commissioners are, naming as the key issues to address from their context, what outcomes are we seeking? How shall we work?

Wednesday July 10thWalking the Way – key aims to the programme for the
day: Mapping the way ahead, Working groups feedback on the way ahead plenary. During group work, the following two areas were considered: Reflections on Mission Societies and affiliated bodies engagement pilgrimage.

In the afternoon, Mapping the way ahead theme was moderated by Michael Blair, Rev Dr Kuzipa Nalwamba’s presentation and reflections favoured an enriching discussion.

The closing worship animated by Mikie Roberts with the local choir did enthuse every participant. The preacher for the occasion was: Rev Dr Sam Kobia, Chairman, National Cohesion and Integration Commission and former General Secretary: WCC.

The participants had ample opportunities during the meeting as expressed aptly by Peter Cruchley – Director and Michael Blair, Moderator in the invitation letter to the participants: “It will be great to continue our journey of relationship building and co-creating the community for our ministry together.”

At the request of Cruchley Peter, prior to the face-to-face meeting, under the leadership of Lori Ransom and Mikie Roberts, Ariel Siagan, Spyridoula Fotinis, Janet Corlett and Teresa Joseph met together few times to discuss about the worship during the meeting. Mikie Roberts saw to the preparation of the worship and the members of this group coordinated it’s celebration in Nairobi.

Indeed, the gathering provided the participants with an opportunity to both clarify the themes of our work for the life of the Commission as well as to deepen our engagement in the work and shape the foundation for the expected World Mission Conference in 2028.