Edinburgh: The Common Call

The 2010 Edinburgh Centenary Conference (June 2-6) concluded with a worship celebration (see photo of the African leadership team in this closing service at right) and the issuing of a Common Call, a document which reflected the range of concerns of the participants at this historic event. The World Evangelical Alliance urged its members to read and respond to this Common Call. This is what I am also doing in posting the whole of the Common Call here.

I am a member of a mainline church that has membership in both the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the various evangelical bodies that unite Christians in common mission and witness to Christ. I have placed myself in this position intentionally because I desire to bear witness to my faith as widely as I can. I am fully aware that people on both sides of the ecumenical debate will question me but the fact is this—I stand where millions of fellow Christian leaders around the globe stand. Indeed, I am within the mainstream of Christian mission and ecumenism in our century. Part of my purpose in sharing the news of Edinburgh 2010 is to inform readers regarding where I am coming from in my own efforts and why I think other Christians and Christian leaders should pursue this course of response to the times in which we now live.

Here is the full statement of the Common Call of Edinburgh 2010:

As we gather for the centenary of the World Missionary Conference of Edinburgh 1910, we believe the church, as a sign and symbol of the reign of God, is called to witness to Christ today by sharing in God’s mission of love through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

1. Trusting in the Triune God and with a renewed sense of urgency, we are called to incarnate and proclaim the good news of salvation, of forgiveness of sin, of life in abundance, and of liberation for all poor and oppressed. We are challenged to witness and evangelism in such a way that we are a living demonstration of the love, righteousness and justice that God intends for the whole world.

2. Remembering Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and his resurrection for the world’s salvation, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to authentic dialogue, respectful engagement and humble witness among people of other faiths – and no faith – to the uniqueness of Christ. Our approach is marked with bold confidence in the gospel message; it builds friendship, seeks reconciliation and practises hospitality.

3. Knowing the Holy Spirit who blows over the world at will, reconnecting creation and bringing authentic life, we are called to become communities of compassion and healing, where young people are actively participating in mission, and women and men share power and responsibilities fairly, where there is a new zeal for justice, peace and the protection of the environment, and renewed liturgy reflecting the beauties of the Creator and creation.

4. Disturbed by the asymmetries and imbalances of power that divide and trouble us in church and world, we are called to repentance, to critical reflection on systems of power, and to accountable use of power structures. We are called to find practical ways to live as members of One Body in full awareness that God resists the proud, Christ welcomes and empowers the poor and afflicted, and the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested in our vulnerability.

5. Affirming the importance of the biblical foundations of our missional engagement and valuing the witness of the Apostles and martyrs, we are called to rejoice in the expressions of the gospel in many nations all over the world. We celebrate the renewal experienced through movements of migration and mission in all directions, the way all are equipped for mission by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and God’s continual calling of children and young people to further the gospel.

6. Recognizing the need to shape a new generation of leaders with authenticity for mission in a world of diversities in the twenty-first century, we are called to work together in new forms of theological education. Because we are all made in the image of God, these will draw on one another’s unique charisms, challenge each other to grow in faith and understanding, share resources equitably worldwide, involve the entire human being and the whole family of God, and respect the wisdom of our elders while also fostering the participation of children.

7. Hearing the call of Jesus to make disciples of all people – poor, wealthy, marginalized, ignored, powerful, living with disability, young, and old – we are called as communities of faith to mission from everywhere to everywhere. In joy we hear the call to receive from one another in our witness by word and action, in streets, fields, offices, homes, and schools, offering reconciliation, showing love, demonstrating grace and speaking out truth.

8. Recalling Christ, the host at the banquet, and committed to that unity for which he lived and prayed, we are called to ongoing co-operation, to deal with controversial issues and to work towards a common vision. We are challenged to welcome one another in our diversity, affirm our membership through baptism in the One Body of Christ, and recognize our need for mutuality, partnership, collaboration and networking in mission, so that the world might believe.

9. Remembering Jesus’ way of witness and service, we believe we are called by God to follow this way joyfully, inspired, anointed, sent and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and nurtured by Christian disciplines in community. As we look to Christ’s coming in glory and judgment, we experience his presence with us in the Holy Spirit, and we invite all to join with us as we participate in God’s transforming and reconciling mission of love to the whole creation.
Edinburgh, 6 June 2010

I believe this is one of the finest examples of missional-ecumenism, at least in a short statement, that I have read. It is the result of input from leaders representing the Protestant mainline, Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical churches. Pentecostals and independent Christians were likewise involved. There is cause here for great rejoicing. Now let us do all within our power to work out this theology with great passion and joy. I am ready. Are you?