For the WCC the situation is made even more urgent by the fact that complaints of proselytistic activities are being made against some of its own member churches as well as churches and groups outside its fellowship.Īmong present-day realities damaging the relationships between churches in different parts of the world and thus requiring the urgent attention of the ecumenical family are: INTRODUCTIONĭramatic develoments in different parts of the world in recent years have compelled the ecumenical family to re-examine issues related to common witness and proselytism in greater depth. Its genesis also reflects the spirit of the WCC's "Common Understanding and Vision" document, in that it has provided space for wider participation in ecumenical discussions. This statement is presented in the conviction that it is both timely and important for churches in all parts of the world. An earlier draft of this statement was used as a resource paper at the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in Salvador, Brazil (1996). The Unit II study, however, was undertaken with much broader participation, and emphasizes the missiological and pastoral implications of proselytism in the life of local churches on the way towards common witness and Christian unity. Its study document, "The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness" (1995), was one of the basic texts used in the elaboration of this statement.
Permanent contact has been maintained with the Joint Working Group in a spirit of mutual cooperation and sharing. Documents and statements on this issue from churches and other organizations have been carefully studied and analyzed and their insights incorporated in the present statement. Special efforts were made to bring together in dialogue the "proselytizers" and "proselytized" and to involve not only WCC member churches but members of the evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic constituencies.
#WITNESS OF ANOTHER WORLD 1972 SERIES#
Furthermore a series of consultations was organized: "Towards Responsible Relationships in Mission" (Chambésy, 1993) an Orthodox consultation on "Mission and Proselytism" (Sergiev Possad, Russia, 1995) "Called to Common Witness" (Manila, 1995) and "Common Witness" (Bossey, 1996). Mission agencies, churches, missiologists and theologians, local congregations and monastic orders in different parts of the world participated by correspondence. In order to reflect accurately on current realities and find appropriate ways forward, the Unit embarked on a broad consultative study process. The present document, which has been elaborated by Programme Unit II, is in response to these requests. A similar request was made by the Fifth World Conference on Faith and Order (Santiago de Compostela, 1993), which asked for a "new and broader study of mission, evangelism and proselytism".
In the face of such a complex situation, the Central Committee in Moscow, 1989, requested the former Commission on World Mission and Evangelism to "take up this issue for further study and action, examining also the existing statements for up-dating if necessary". The issue of proselytism is again being raised as a major factor dividing the churches and a threat to the ecumenical movement itself. Yet during these almost 50 years of ecumenical fellowship in the WCC, proselytism has continued to be a painful reality in the life of the churches. Ecumenical statements have repeatedly expressed the need for the clearer practice of responsible relationships in mission, a sharper commitment to witness in unity and renunciation of all forms of proselytism. Within the ecumenical movement and the World Council of Churches the concern for common witness and the unity of the churches has always been a priority, and proselytism has been recognized as a scandal and counterwitness. A call to adopt responsible relationships in mission and to renounce proselytism PREFACE
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