|
GLOBAL CHRISTIAN FORUM
~Gary Holloway
October 3-7 I was blessed to attend the 2nd Global Christian Forum in Manado, Indonesia. A small consultation in Switzerland in 1998 led to regional meetings in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. This culminated in the first Global Forum in Limuru, Kenya in 2007. Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and Evangelical leaders all testified that the Forum is an open space to meet and not a new institution. In the words of one: "There is no other place where all Christian churches can meet together."
Highlights of the Forum
Sharing Our Story
The heart of the forum was sharing our faith stories in small groups. Although we came from diverse cultures and churches, telling of our common faith made us realize our oneness in Christ. As one said, "I see the Christ in you and see no difference from the Christ in me." In my group, half spoke Spanish, half English. Perhaps the moving story was from Jose Aguiar, who spoke of his discouragement of so many Christian ministers leaving Cuba during difficult times. When he prayed and asked Jesus about this, Jesus replied, "Others may leave, but I am not leaving Cuba."
Holistic Mission as Integral to Christian Unity
Missionaries are no longer Americans who come to show slides of "foreign" countries, but are those who bring the gospel from all over the world. South Korea sent out 22,000 missionaries to 176 countries last year. Nigeria plans to send 50,000 workers to other nations by 2015. Han Chinese plan to send out 100,000 missionaries to other countries in the next few years. Brazilian missionaries are on every continent, including the United States. Spanish is the most widely used language by Christians today.
The Changing Face of World Christianity
Numerically, the center of Christianity has shifted to the global south. In contrast to stagnant Christian growth in Europe and North America, churches are growing in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, growing specifically in unexpected places-China, India, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Iran. Particularly rapid is the growth in Christians from a Muslim background. For the Stone-Campbell Movement, the World Christian Database counts more members outside the United States than in, 10 million worldwide.
Stories of God at Work
In the last two days of the forum, we heard stories of God's amazing work throughout the world:
- The rebirth of the church in Albania, which was once the most atheistic country in the world. Churches have been rebuilt, converts are flowing into them, and ministers are being trained.
- The unprecedented growth of the Church in China. On a typical Sunday, more Chinese attend church than do Americans.
- The story of Taize, a group of ecumenical monks in France that for decades have drawn thousands of young people to experience their community.
- The reconciliation of Lutherans and Mennonites. In the sixteenth century, Lutherans put Mennonites to death, but now have publically repented of that and been reconciled to their brothers and sisters.
- The story of the church in Palestine, that is faithful under difficult circumstances, including persecution.
Putting a Face on Global Christianity
For me the most moving experiences of the Forum were our worship times together, both in plenary session and in small groups. My small group shared our faith stories, studied the book of Acts, and prayed together. Now when I think of the church in Nepal, Pakistan, Colombia, Spain, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Russia, Nigeria, Panama, Argentina, France, Switzerland, Ghana, England, Peru, Cuba, and Indonesia, I will have faces to remember.
As a movement dedicated to Christian unity, it was particularly important that World Convention represent us at the Global Christian Forum. Indeed, the entire week I felt surrounded by the presence of Thomas Campbell and his words: "The Church of Christ upon earth is one."
Global Christian Forum Photo Album here
|
