How Will Your Church Participate in #WorldRefugeeSunday on June 18 & 25?
Over 65 million people have been forced to flee their homes in what has become the biggest refugee crisis that the world has ever known. Today, 1 in every 113 people worldwide are forcibly displaced, the majority of whom are women and children. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) calls on churches to observe World Refugee Sunday this coming June 18 or 25 and participate in prayer and action, responding in practical ways to God’s call to ‘love the stranger as yourself.’ Using the hashtags #WorldRefugeeSunday and #RefugeeHighway, churches can share about their activities on social media and inspire others to join.
“World Refugee Sunday gives us an opportunity to learn about the realities and needs of refugees, to pray for them and with them, and to consider how we can practically engage with refugees,” said Bishop Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA. “Together with the Refugee Highway Partnership, the European Evangelical Alliance and other partners, we have prepared a variety of resources to help churches and individuals participate and begin to make a difference in their own community.”
“God has given us a mandate to love the alien as we love ourselves (Leviticus 19:34). I am encouraged to see a growing number of churches worldwide leaning into this divine calling to actively seeking the welfare of refugees by offering both practical assistance and a supportive community,” said Tom Albinson, WEA Ambassador for Refugees and Displaced People.
“God has always called His people to be a blessing to the nations. The Church is now facing a great opportunity to do just that. In the same way God used refugees to be a blessing to others, including Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jesus, Philip, and others, the Church will find blessing as we seek the welfare of strangers today,” he added.
Commissioner Christine MacMillan, WEA’s Associate Secretary General for Public Engagement who heads up WEA’s Refugee Task Force, challenges churches and believers to also reflect on a refugee’s situation on a personal level.
She said: “We as Christians are often overheard to be saying: “I go to church.” Finding ourselves in church on World Refugee Sunday, may have us contemplating ‘church going’ as only a starting point. When some 65 million people wake up every day, what would we overhear them saying? Factors indicate their experience could be summarized as: “I am going further away from my home as place, security and community.” So where do our journeys intercept? For too many their journeys are unending and so for the Church may a named Sunday become an unending determination to welcome strangers as friends coming home.” Share with us what you and your church are doing on World Refugee Sunday 2017 using the hashtags #WorldRefugeeSunday and #RefugeeHighway! Find resources such as:
– the Refugee Highway Map – stories of refugees in the Bible – videos, banners & posters – and more!
BY DR. MICHAEL SCHLUTER AND TIMO PUTSCHINSKI WEA Business & Ministry News
The following points were areas of discussion at the Congress of Christian Leaders and part of a newly released discussion paper. They were then emailed to the wider body of the WEA to provide feedback so that they can develop these points further.
Have evangelical business leaders internalised the mindset of contemporary Capitalism?
1Live too fast. More is more. We are always busy (even if “it is for the Lord”). To be a workaholic is not judged a sin.
BUT time is the currency of relationship, and Christians believe in a relational God. God made the 7th day as a day of rest, to protect families and low-income workers (Ex. 20:8-11, Deut. 5:12-15); he commanded that the land should rest every 7th year (Lev. 25:1-7); and he arranged rest for every 50th year too (Lev. 25:8-13). These commands are shadows of what is to come (Colossians 1:16). Christians should honour the Lord by expressing the principle of rest in ways appropriate to their situation, and in accordance with their own conscience (Romans 14:5), always showing particular care for the marginalised in society.
2Accept debts as a normal part of buying a house, buying cars and running a company. And why not? To enjoy life, and to be part of a market-based consumer culture is not wrong.
BUT doesn’t the Bible say that we should not owe anybody anything (Rom. 13:7)? Isn’t debt a picture of sin and thus something to be avoided (Matt. 6:12)? Isn’t the relationship between a lender and a borrower toxic – the borrower is the slave of the lender (Prov. 22:7)?
3Build up savings through pension funds over which we have little knowledge and no control. Everybody else does the same so it must be alright. After all, we don’t have time to track every investment we make and it is important to spread the risk.
BUT doesn’t Jesus teach that to take a return without responsibility is the same as reaping where we haven’t sown, and the sign of a ‘hard’, or ‘disengaged’, person (Matt. 25:26-27)? Supposing our pension fund money is put into a company in the porn or betting industries? Can we justify letting our money be used in this way on the basis that we did not know that this was happening? Is ignorance an adequate excuse?
4Seek job promotion even when it means moving town or city, and uprooting spouse and children, so we can say we have used our talents well.
BUT doesn’t the bible also teach the importance of long-term, committed relationships which involve a commitment to church, neighbours and community? Is it possible to honor our parents adequately if we move so that we live nowhere near them any more?
5Trust in insurance policies and government provision to look after our elderly parents.
BUT doesn’t the bible teach that we should honor our mother and father, which includes financial provision (Mk. 7:9-13)? And doesn’t Paul also say that those who fail to provide for their immediate relatives have denied the faith and are worse than unbelievers? (1 Tim. 5:8).
6Believe that, because companies have limited liability, companies should be allowed to leave debts unpaid to staff, suppliers and other creditors if they go bankrupt. Wasn’t this part of the implicit contract when employees took those jobs and suppliers provided those goods? As when Enron went bankrupt, shouldn’t shareholders be allowed to be paid out something even when employees are left unpaid and are losing their pensions? They should have known that limited companies don’t pay those debts if they go bankrupt.
BUT doesn’t the Bible say “the wicked borrow and do not repay” (Ps. 37:21) and “The wages you failed to pay the workers … are crying out against you” (Jam. 5:4)?
7Accept pay differentials between the highest and lowest paid employees in a company of 500 to 1 so that an employee has to work 500 years to earn the pay of their boss. Surely this is a reflection of the labor market where wages are set through supply and demand. The invisible hand of the market ensures that justice is done.
BUT didn’t God create all people equal before him? Do such wage differentials deny in any sense the underlying equality in the value of every person? While it is difficult to draw the line in any particular place, doesn’t the constraint on wealth differentials in biblical Israel, e.g. through the ban on interest (Deut. 23:19-20) and the system of land distribution (Josh. 18:8-10), and the Jubilee provision (Lev. 5:8-13) suggest God’s concern that wealth differentials do not get too extreme?
8Look first and foremost for the financial benefit of an investment. Isn’t it right to make as much money as possible from the capital we have so that we can use the surplus we make for the work of God’s kingdom?
BUT didn’t God create all people equal before him? Do such wage differentials deny in any sense the underlying equality in the value of every person? While it is difficult to draw the line in any particular place, doesn’t the constraint on wealth differentials in biblical Israel, e.g. through the ban on interest (Deut. 23:19-20) and the system of land distribution (Josh. 18:8-10), and the Jubilee provision (Lev. 5:8-13) suggest God’s concern that wealth differentials do not get too extreme?
9Avoid paying tax by using every possible legal loophole because as Christians we are able to use our money more effectively to help other people than the government does. Surely Christians have no obligation to pay more tax than the law requires them to.
BUT doesn’t Jesus teach that his followers should pay to Caesar what is due to Caesar (Matt. 22:21)? Doesn’t he also teach that it is the intention of the law rather than the letter of the law that matters in God’s sight (Mk. 3:1-6)? Doesn’t Paul also say “if you owe taxes, pay taxes” (Rom. 13:7)?
10Believe that the purpose of a company should be defined entirely in terms of financial returns to shareholders because they have provided the capital which enables the company to operate. Maximizing returns to capital ensures long-term growth and thus future job opportunities for the unemployed.
BUT is there anywhere in the Bible where owners of capital (or land) are given such privileged status? Doesn’t the command to love our neighbor translate into active involvement and consideration of other stakeholders who are key to a company’s success – such as customers, suppliers and employees? If shareholders are to be the ultimate beneficiaries, should they not be held responsible for the decisions a company makes? Is it right to have a system of absentee owners, who get reward without responsibility?
The American Revolutionaries back in the 18th century had a slogan in their fight against Britain: “No taxation without representation”. A Christian maxim for business life today might be summed up in a new slogan:
No reward without responsibility
No investment without involvement
No profit without participation.
The Authors…
Dr Michael Schluter (UK) worked in his family business before becoming an advisor at the World Bank in East Africa. Since 1982, he has founded his own non-profit organisations for example, the Jubilee Centre which aims to strengthen biblical principles in society. He is the founder and leader of a campaign that is committed to the preservation of Sunday as a day of rest and he has led several major international peace initiatives. Schluter is the author of several books e.g. ”After Capitalism – Rethinking Economic Relationships” and he is a world-renowned speaker
Timo Plutschinski (Germany) is an evangelical theologian, strategic business consultant and a passionate networker. He is leading the Business Coalition of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) and belongs to the wider WEA Leadership. While pastoring a local Baptist Church in Hamburg Timo is eager to (re-)define the relationship between business and church and the relevance of Christians in today´s postmodern society. In further functions Timo is also Board Member of the Congress of Christian Leaders, Partner of MIC Corporate Finance and Fellow of the Olivet Institute for Global Strategic Studies.
We’ve probably all experienced a “cringe moment”, when someone identified as a Christian says something – might be at work, or at a party with friends, or it might be in the national media – that is completely outrageous, or just plain dumb.
Timothy Goropevsek is a communication specialist. He is the Communications Director for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), the global body represented here by NZ Christian Network.
He is the person responsible for crafting our global media statements on everything from natural disasters, wars, and religious persecution, through to Terry Jones threatening to burn copies of the Qur’an.
At the start of this year, Timothy gave a talk at the WEA International Leadership Forum which was very well received. His message included a lot of ideas that are important for any Christian to know when they talk about public or social issues.
Was the first missionary out of NZ a Baptist? Depends who you count. But either way, this is an interesting short article on the recent history of the missions movements and evangelical networks in NZ.
This article, by David Jenkins, was published in 1999 by the World Evangelical Fellowship.
New Zealand is a comparatively new country in missionary terms, because we are a “young” country. The first missionary was probably Rosalie McGeorge, a single woman who went as a Baptist missionary to India in 1887.
The download section about New Zealand is part of a larger publication that can be found on the World Evangelical Alliance website.
I commend this media release to all ministers, pastors, and Christian leaders in NZ.
It summarises the main outcomes from the World Evangelical Alliance International Leadership Forum just concluded in Korea, which will shape our work program leading up to the General Assembly in 2018. Please share this with everyone you know in any area leadership.
Glyn Carpenter National Director New Zealand Christian Network
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has concluded its International Leadership Forum (ILF) 2016 in Seoul, Korea. The annual gathering brought together some 90 leaders from 40 countries to strengthen partnership across organizational and geographical boundaries in key issues facing the Church today. ILF participants also shared meals with hundreds of Korean church leaders, visited and prayed at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, and issued a statement on the situation of the divided nation.
Hosted from February 29 to March 4 by the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), WEA’s national member body, the ILF2016 consisted of WEA’s International Council, Executive Leadership, heads of Regional Evangelical Alliances, heads of select National Evangelical Alliances, Commission and Initiative Directors, and leaders of global partner organizations.
Bishop Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA, says: “This year’s ILF was very strategic for us at the WEA for various reasons. Besides the gathering’s importance in bringing together the various parts of WEA’s family to strengthen the personal and professional relationships among us, being in Korea allowed us to strengthen our relationships with the vibrant Christian community of this country. We are grateful that we received an overwhelming positive response from both, the participants from all over the world and the churches in Korea.”
90 ILF participants from 40 countries together with leaders from the Christian Council of Korea that served as generous host.
Partners in the Gospel: Building His Church
The theme of the ILF2016, ‘Partners in the Gospel: Building His Church’, focused on the Bible passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, where he writes: “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Chapter 4, verses 4-6, NIV)
The theme was applied to WEA’s threefold strategy of ‘connecting for common action, equipping for global impact, and representing with a global voice’ in order to more effectively advance the Good News of Jesus Christ and effect personal and community transformation for God’s glory.
Morning presentations introduced existing partnership models practiced by regional and national Evangelical Alliances, global WEA networks and others. Table discussions after each presentation helped participants apply these models in their own contexts and explore further opportunities for collaboration.
Connie Kivuti, General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance in Kenya (EAK), speaks on the partnerships she developed to resource the work of the EAK.
Strategic Responses to Global Issues
In the afternoons, ILF participants gathered in issue-based groups:
Bible engagement – A 2014 survey by the WEA showed that Christian leaders in every region are deeply concerned about Bible illiteracy and a resulting lack of understanding of the relevance of God’s Word for everyday life. WEA has been in conversation with Bible Agencies, national Evangelical Alliances, church networks and others who have launched initiatives to address the issue. ILF participants discussed how to encourage further strategic collaborative efforts to help churches at grass roots to focus on Bible engagement.
Evangelism, discipleship, healthy churches and missional lifestyles – Three groups focused on different needs and challenges related to the fulfillment of the Great Commission, including: strategic approaches, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ individually, discipling new believers to stand firm in faith and pursue a life of holiness, the need of healthy pastors for healthy churches for healthy societies, the pastoring of pastors and the use of healthy church models. They developed a range of action steps that aim to eventually strengthen local churches in their call to share the Gospel and be Good News people in every sphere of society.
Women and girls and the Church – Women and girls make up half of the population of the world, yet the Church is at times still more influenced by cultural rather than Biblical views on the the role of women. The focus group will now ‘create and promote a practical guide for the WEA and its constituency to engage, equip, encourage and mobilize men and women to be champions of women and girls in the Church, so that the WEA reflects a vision for how women can equally contribute to Church and society for the sake of the Gospel.’
A Christ-like response to persecution – Persecution of Christians is on the rise in many parts of the world, yet the response of Christians to persecution varies greatly. The group focused on assessing the varieties of evangelical responses to persecution and existing initiatives in standing with and equipping churches facing persecution. The group committed to helping national Evangelical Alliances with advocacy training, research and documenting of religious liberty violations, strengthening legal services, expanding partnerships with civil society, promoting prayer for the persecuted Church, sharing of persecution stories to raise awareness, and more.
Intra-faith and inter-faith relations – The WEA, as one of the three world church bodies, serving some 600 million evangelicals, is uniquely positioned to engage with others within the wider Christian community as well as other faith groups. For many years, the WEA has held dialogues, seeking to build bridges of understanding while recognizing the differences of faith and values of the various faith bodies. The group focused on developing language that is understood in the widely differing contexts around the world as well as addressing specific issues concerning the relationship of the Church with people of other or no faith.
Further groups were formed spontaneously among participants focusing on refugees, family, creation care, female genital mutilation, and other issues.
The Korean Context
On several occasions, the ILF provided space for interaction with local church leaders in Korea. It began with an Opening Ceremony, welcoming some 700 Korean church leaders and other guests. Many denominational leaders as well as representatives of the Korean government gave welcome greetings to participants.
On Thursday, a delegation of the WEA leadership was invited to attend the Korean National Prayer Breakfast with President Geun-hye Park where Bp Tendero offered a prayer on behalf of WEA. And on the final day, the Korean hosts again invited several hundred pastors for a farewell service and luncheon.
Bp Efraim Tendero, Secretary General of the WEA, introduces WEA’s vision and mission. During the ILF2016, he gave greetings to Korean church leaders during the Opening Ceremony and Farewell Service, and offered a prayer on behalf of the WEA at the Korean National Prayer Breakfast.
“After the cancellation of the General Assembly in 2014 that was to be hosted in Seoul, our coming to Korea allowed us to connect again with our member CCK and church leaders,” Bp Tendero said. “We have strengthened our relationship with the people of a nation that has been richly blessed by God and in response has sent out over 20,000 missionaries into the whole world. We were overwhelmed by their generosity and hospitality and are looking forward to continuing to work together in the Great Commission.”
ILF participants also had the opportunity to visit and pray at the DMZ where they witnessed first-hand the tension that has existed in the country for many decades. Rev. Ndaba Mazabane, Chairman of the International Council, led participants in a prayer for peace on the Korean peninsula and for reunification of the one nation.
He commented that “Korea is the only nation that is still divided and the pain felt by its people and the separated families on both sides are difficult to describe in words alone. It is our hope that God will make possible what seems impossible to man: to grant peace and an end to the division of the Korean peninsula.”
ILF participants at the DMZ pray for peace and the reunification of Korea.
On the last day of the ILF, participants released a statement called ‘A Message of Goodwill from the WEA to All the People of Korea.’ It reads in part:
In the spirit of reconciliation that Jesus entrusted to us, we pray for all the Korean people and the leaders of both governments that throughout this peninsula there will be peace and harmony.
All our nations bear the scars of history and strife of previous generations, which we all regret and none of us would have chosen. We want to be those who heal the wounds of the past and leave a lasting legacy of peace for our children and future generations.
We pray that the governments both in and outside the peninsula may be guided by God to undertake peacemaking initiatives in a spirit of mutual respect, not of condemnation. We commit ourselves to pray that the God of peace will be with all those who undertake these difficult tasks, which appear to be impossible in our own strength but with God’s help we can achieve lasting peace.
Participants at WEA’s International Leadership Forum (ILF) in Seoul, Korea, prepared a statement on the situation of the divided Korea. ‘A Message of Goodwill from the WEA to All the People of Korea’ was adopted unanimously by all those who voted on Friday, March 4, 2016.
A Message of Goodwill from the WEA to All the People of Korea
We, the participants at the 2016 International Leadership Forum of the World Evangelical Alliance, meeting in Seoul, Korea, come with goodwill towards all the Korean people who live in this peninsula. Each day millions of evangelicals around the world pray for the Korean people on both sides of the DMZ.
We share a common humanity with you. We are all made in God’s image. God, our creator, yearns for all of us to reflect His love and care for one another. In that we all fall short.
In the spirit of reconciliation that Jesus entrusted to us, we pray for all the Korean people and the leaders of both governments that throughout this peninsula there will be peace and harmony.
All our nations bear the scars of history and strife of previous generations, which we all regret and none of us would have chosen. We want to be those who heal the wounds of the past and leave a lasting legacy of peace for our children and future generations.
We pray that the governments both in and outside the peninsula may be guided by God to undertake peacemaking initiatives in a spirit of mutual respect, not of condemnation. We commit ourselves to pray that the God of peace will be with all those who undertake these difficult tasks, which appear to be impossible in our own strength but with God’s help we can achieve lasting peace.
WEA International Leadership Forum Seoul, Korea, March 4, 2016
WEA Media Release
