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The book editors are Venerable Dr Leslie Nathaniel, archdeacon of the East and Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe of the Diocese in Europe of the Church of England; and Rev. Vinod Victor, chaplain of the Anglican Church Freiburg.
The book is the outcome of an idea that the editors had been hearing for a long time from their friends in the ecumenical movement, explains Nathaniel during the book talk. “They wish to know why is it that churches couldn’t reflect on what it means to be a servant,” he says. “We wanted to collect certain articles which address the theme of servanthood but which would also connect to the WCC assembly theme of ‘Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.’ ”
The book is not just for theologians but for all people who are called to serve, points out Victor. “I was also particularly interested as to how young people see the future—the unity of the future, and how a divided church cannot witness meaningfully for the future,” he said.
The editors are both priests of South Asian heritage currently ministering in the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe. The essays represent a gift from the Anglican community to the wider ecumenical movement.
The book is written as a tribute to the life and work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who died in December 2021.
The essays explore aspects of the calling and task of reconciliation. They also explore themes of injustice, discrimination, disability, abuse, bullying, and violence, asking where a broken world can find resources for healing and wholeness.
Video of the book talk “Journey in Servanthood: The DNA of a Confident Church”
