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Albin Hillert/WCC

18 June 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa: Eleven-year-old Delisile Ndaba leads the procession at the opening of a welcome prayer organized by the local churches for the 2025 Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches taking place in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025 on the theme ’Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity’.

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The meeting was filled with warm reunions, hugs, greetings, and joyful catch-ups. But it was also marked by new acquaintances and meaningful conversations with people from all over the world – from different church traditions and cultures. Again and again, I am struck by how vital and necessary this fellowship is.

In a time of growing polarization, both in society and within the churches, it is essential that we meet face-to-face. Building genuine dialogue requires relationships – and the World Council of Churches remains one of the few spaces in the world with decades of experience in bringing people together around the same table, for respectful conversation and shared action.

Challenges within the fellowship

Each morning was dedicated to thematic sessions. One of the topics that received particular attention was gender and equality. There were strong and important contributions to this conversation. But I also noticed something else – and raised it in one of the group discussions I took part in: how men were often introduced with full titles – “Rev. Dr Professor,” for example – while women were more commonly referred to by first name or simply as sister.” I don't think this is about bad intentions, but it reveals a cultural pattern that still lingers – even within our own communities. It is a reminder that the work for justice must begin with ourselves.

A church that carries hope

We live in turbulent times. Wars and conflicts are close at hand. Economic inequality is increasing. Polarization is growing. In this context, the churches have a crucial role to play – as bearers of hope and makers of peace. The conversations I had in Johannesburg, and the testimonies I heard, left a deep impression. The crises facing the world challenge the churches in many different ways. And even though it can be difficult to fully grasp or engage with issues that feel distant, the words of Paul still hold true: If one member suffers, all the others suffer with it."

Unity in diversity

This year marks 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea – the first global church council that sought to unite Christians in a shared confession of faith. This reminds us of something profoundly important: that even with all our differences and divisions, we share one faith, one confession, and one calling – to be the body of Christ on earth.

The World Council of Churches is a unique fellowship that unites Christians across geography, theology, and practice. The gathering in Johannesburg was not only marked by debates and statements but also by prayer and worship. Daily services in various traditions reminded us that the foundation of our unity does not lie in structure, but in our shared faith in Jesus Christ.

I return home with deep gratitude for this fellowship – and with a renewed awareness of how important it is to lift our gaze. We must look beyond our own congregations, our own conflicts, and our own challenges. We belong together – locally and globally – in Gods church.

The world needs us to stand together. So does the church.

Disclaimer

The impressions expressed in the blog posts are the contributions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policies of the World Council of Churches.