European Churches Challenged to Learn From Counterparts in the South LWF Mission Document Discussed at Regional Leadership Consultation REYKHOLT, Iceland/GENEVA, 16 June 2005 (LWI) * Churches in Europe need to learn from their fellow churches in the South, Rev. Dr Kjell Nordstokke, director of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for Mission and Development (DMD) told an LWF regional consultation in Reykholt, Iceland.

"The times call for mutual learning and sharing of experiences,"  Nordstokke told 90 Lutheran bishops and church representatives from 23 European countries attending the June 8-13 European Church Leadership Consultation.

In his presentation, Nordstokke referred to the LWF document "Mission in Context: Transformation, Reconciliation, Empowerment * An LWF Contribution to the Understanding and Practice of Mission." The LWF Council endorsed this document  during its September 2004 meeting in Chavannes-de-Bogis, Switzerland. The official text is currently only available in English language.

Nordstokke emphasized that the heartland of Christianity was no longer in Europe, but in Latin America, some parts of Asia, and in Africa. While churches’ membership in the South was increasing significantly, European churches were faced with a steady decrease. Mission could therefore no longer be understood as an activity decided by the North in view of the South. On the contrary, churches in the South needed to serve as an example for churches in the North. The South concepts should be understood as "gifts and potential, for our renewal as missional churches in our context," he stressed.

The DMD director spoke of the widespread uncertainties that characterize the mood in Europe, including the fear of losing social security, increasing immigration, and a worsening crime rate with increasing violence. He said "the latest 'No' (vote) to the visions of a united Europe may be understood [not only] as valid reactions against centralization and neo-liberal ideology, but also, as fear regarding the future and lack of confidence in political projects."

In Europe, the trend to emigration had shifted to immigration, he said. "Tens of thousands are moving to Europe and North America from countries in the South and also from the East." Immigrants tended to remain outside the life of the churches, and integration in the life of European churches had not yet occurred. He observed that churches in Europe had until now been characterized by "their [ethnic] roots, their historical social position, and the behavior of middle class values and interest."

Europe’s Lutheran churches were therefore being challenged to be missional in the current context. Missional work was always integral and included both the diaconal work and proclamation of the gospel. Nordstokke pointed out that "mission expresses partnership and sharing of resources." The  church needed to overcome the rift between the rich and the poor, and do away with prevailing inequalities, he said.

To be a missional church, according to Nordstokke, meant being a church that accompanies, and "is ready to walk together with those who are on the road, sensitive to people’s experiences and questions, empowered to communicate surprising good news and prepared to share the gift and table of communion, so that empowerment and reconciliation could happen."

 In the discussion that followed, Bishop Herwig Sturm, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria, pointed out that so much was happening in Europe that "we as churches need to react to this." A long-term vision was necessary, he said. Sturm referred particularly to the challenge posed by Islam in this context. "We are now suddenly meeting people in Austria who tremendously value their religion." The impact of religion on their lives and actions “challenges us to question how strongly we value our faith,” he added. (597 words)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138 member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a total membership of nearly 66 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service. Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

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