Search results

A gift to the ongoing work of reconciliation among Christians, the textual fruits of ecumenical dialogue over the last decade are presented here in complete documents. The vast yield is here collected in two volumes, incorporating bilateral and multilateral dialogues of the churches across the Christian confessions—Orthodox, Catholic, and Reformation traditions—and evinces not only agreements and disagreements but also the new insights that dialogue itself reveals.

Sharing Good News is a comprehensive and timely contribution to the field of evangelism that takes full measure of the distinct challenges and opportunities that Christians face in contemporary Europe for students, professors, clergy and practitioners. Sharing Good News offers important keys to revitalizing Christian evangelism in the lives and discipleship of Christians across Europe.

Developed in a years-long consultative process, the volume includes expert contributions from around Europe and from a variety of confessional traditions keenly tuned to the particular challenges raised by secularization, migration, interreligious and cross-cultural encounter; a systematic, ecumenical framework for understanding evangelism in the present context; probing theological work on the meaning of evangelism in relation to mission, ecclesiology, and spirituality; and eight case studies that illustrate best practices and new paradigms in evangelism.

The growing effects of global finance—both financial and philanthropic—on the sustainability of agriculture are explored in the new World Council of Churches publication “Food and Finance: Toward Life-Enhancing Agriculture,” developed together with "Bread for all" and edited by Athena Peralta.

Perhaps the greatest treasure of the ecumenical movement lies in its gatherings of songs, prayers, and other liturgical resources from around the Christian world. Now, adding to this wealth, come these 70 songs from composers around the world. Inspired by the WCC’s 10th Assembly, these songs of praise, adoration, struggle, mission, faith and hope constitute a deep resource for the pilgrimage of justice and peace. They are here published in English, French, Spanish, and German, with other languages, introduced by Andrew Donaldson, and augmented by recorded performances available online.

“The Invisible among Us" seeks to engage us in the plight and prospects of persons with no nationality, a problem that especially affects women and children. Locally and internationally, churches and church people everywhere can help to lift up their humanity so they can take their rightful place in the human family.” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu

''At this critical juncture, this book brings together 'texts and voices' that reveal both the profound legacy of the ecumenical movement and the spiritual, theological basis on which it can build to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.'' -- Editor Michael Kinnamon

Included in this exhaustive collection are significant passages from the most widely influential texts produced by assemblies, consultations, and statements of the World Council of Churches, carefully selected, edited, and introduced. They address the most important aspects of the ecumenical movement from its beginnings more than a century ago to toda

Creating a climate for change - The greatest untapped natural resource for addressing the world’s most pressing problems is the energy of religiously committed people. This volume gathers the expertise of activists, theologians and faith-based organizations to inspire and encourage churches and church people everywhere in grassroots work and advocacy for climate justice.

Often perceived as conservative and rigid, the churches have sometimes been barriers to people’s claiming their sexuality. Yet, in their response to the crisis posed by AIDS and HIV, Christian churches have also often challenged harmful cultural practices and surmounted that stereotype. Focusing on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), especially in African settings, this volume seeks to identify and cultivate the positive, indeed liberating, role that the churches must play.

Exploring hybridity, embracing hospitality— While we tend to think of religions as distinct, univocal, even competing traditions, the phenomenon of multiple religious belonging is widespread, both historically and today. Alive to a variety of traditions and regions, this volume explores the reality of religious hybridity—whether because of cultural inheritance, family circumstances, or explicit choice— its confounding of traditional categories in theology and the study of religion, and its meaning for Christian theology. Even as it complexifies the idea of religious identity, the authors show, it enriches our understanding of ultimate reality and the whole range of practices by which humans relate to it.

“This volume focuses, for the most part, on figures who have been known for their contributions to global ecumenism; but such global leadership is clearly rooted in their response to a context marked by religious plurality, caste oppression, endemic poverty, and the struggle to build a post-colonial nation…. I found the book compelling.”—Michael Kinnamon

At the heart of the ecumenical fellowship stands a moral imperative, a kind of pledge by the churches to hold themselves and one another accountable in their faithfulness.

Olav Fykse Tveit argues that this commitment binds each of the churches in fidelity to the larger communion, to the great Tradition, to scripture and the apostolic faith, as well as to the people they serve in the contemporary world.

An underappreciated dimension of the perennial quest for unity, mutual accountability functions as a key criterion for the quality of relations within the Christian fellowship. It defines the attitude of active responsibility and openness that churches bring to their fellowship and to their ecclesial self-understanding and renewal. It is a benchmark of their authenticity as churches in the ecumenical age.

Tveit’s rich study of the evolving concept of mutual accountability, especially as it figures in the work of Faith and Order over a fifty-year period, traces the growing conviction that ecumenism entails churches’ not simply being together and working together but also holding each other accountable for their genuineness as members of the body of Christ. “Attitudes of openness, constructive critical and self-critical approaches, repentance, reliability, commitment to the common calling and tasks, faithfulness, sharing, and indeed hope—these are all genuine and necessary attitudes in a fellowship that follows the crucified and risen Christ. The truth we owe one another lies in both our insights and our true life in community. . . .”

The Truth We Owe Each Other offers a theological underpinning to the work of church renewal and to the continued relevance for the churches’ work in the world.

From despair to hope, Christian engagement with HIV has challenged stigma and discrimination - and also entailed genuine transformation in the church themselves.

It is difficult to overstate the challenge posed by the advent of AIDS in the 1980s—to the world at large and also to the churches.

Alongside the medical challenge, an enormous pastoral task quickly arose: to minister to those living with HIV or dying from AIDS-related causes, but also to their families and others affected by the epidemic. But perhaps as wrenching, AIDS revealed a level or layer of intolerance and judgment and an underlying moral theology that could barely see the patient for the sinner. All the more remarkable, then, that churches around the world, led by the World Council of Churches, were able to respond with passion and compassion and to recognize, confront, and surmount the deep religious and cultural prejudices against those living with HIV through successive programmatic initiatives.

Beginning in the early 1980s and based on extensive interviews and primary sources, as well as key decisions, statements and texts, this is the story of the ecumenical movement’s determined, persistent and transformative wrestling with HIV and with the deep pain and tough questions posed by it to the religious community. The book offers a rich narrative of the persons and programmes involved, the lessons learned, and perspectives on how this experience can further equip faith communities to face HIV and future challenges to health and healing.  With timeline and biography

A short history of the premier institute for ecumenical studies, fully updated for Bossey’s 70th anniversary. Updated Edition.

Lodged in an 18th-century château overlooking Lac Léman and the Alps, the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, Switzerland, is the premier site for ecumenical encounter and study.

Begun even before the inauguration of the World Council of Churches, during 70 years Bossey has drawn thousands of women and men from all over the world and every Christian confession and culture for seminars, conferences, and, since 1952, for its graduate school of ecumenical studies.  Its communal life and learning have changed the lives of many people and made it a true laboratory for new forms of ecumenical life.

This brief yet lively history of Bossey, penned by Hans-Ruedi Weber and updated by Robert K. Welsh, delves into the roots and evolution of Bossey and its programmes,  its place in the whole ecumenical movement,  and the people who have invested creative energy into its growth and flourishing.  The Story of Bossey reveals not only a life-changing venue for Christian encounter but a lens on the rapidly changing landscape of the larger church, the ecumenical movement, and indeed the world.

Focused on pivotal leaders and key challenges over six decades of women’s participation in the WCC, this brief volume traces the evolving struggles and critical accomplishments of women toward realizing gender justice and “the community of women and men” in the ecumenical movement and beyond.

When the richest 85 individuals in the world own as much as the poorest 3 billion people, one must ask about equity and social justice.

A life founded in God is fulfilling, claims Jürgen Moltmann, while modern life without God has become diminished. For all its virtues and conveniences, it has left us frantic, isolated, and alone.

By contrast, Moltmann turns to the promise of life trusting in the living God. His starting point is the biblical experience of the unconditional nearness, attentive love, and the inexhaustible vitality of God. God is neither immovable nor impassible nor remote from people but intimately involved with and present to each of us.

What it means to live in the presence of God’s love and the life of God is the subject of Part Two. The freedom and friendship of God’s love awaken all our senses and give us courage to think and act, Moltmann maintains. In this way, human life may be deeply experienced, fully embraced body and soul, and joyfully lived. 

Jürgen Moltmann has written a wise yet very personal book. A truly fresh vision and a kind of theological encouragement, it brings together, in an alternative way of life, our everyday experiences and profound insights into the limitations and possibilities of human existence.

Perhaps more than ever, in our globalized context we meet persons of other faiths and religious traditions. When empathetic, such meetings can be revealing about their lives and commitments. Yet how do they change our own identity and illuminate our own faith?

In light of interreligious encounter, who do we say that we are?

This brief work, distilled from lengthy and broad theological consultation facilitated by the World Council of Churches, suggests ways in which our faith is deepened and exciting new vistas opened on traditional Christian faith commitments through interreligious dialogue and engagement.

Our sincere engagements with the other can lead to a growing grasp of our own faith identity and, indeed, more profound encounter with the mystery of God.

Bringing together people living with, working with, researching, or personally affected by HIV or AIDS, this volume developed by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) and its global partners draws directly from on-the-ground experiences elicited from frontline actors in the churches and agencies. Their insights and reflections are always lively, sometimes uncomfortable, and often deeply moving.

A first-person account—

“We owe a great deal to Baldwin Sjollema’s dedication and unswerving opposition to injustice. His life story recalls the heroisms and tragedies that accompanied that work of solidarity and social change. I invite readers to hear his story and to share his deep commitment never to bow to racism.”

—Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Keith Clements Bonhoeffer’s story—and its import for today “ No one has a better grasp of Bonhoeffer’s legacy and knowledge of the ecumenical movement than Keith Clements. This is a publishing milestone for those interested in both.” —John W. de Gruchy, University of Cape Town