Transformative Spirituality and Mission: An Ecumenical Project

Abstract

A new search for authentic spirituality has begun to build a common household ... Art and poetry, music and celebration, living together and listening to one another's stories, speaking out of oppressed alongside search for justice for most wretched of earth will be of equal importance in determining emerging spirituality of oikoumene, whole inhabited earth. (1) A Journey Towards Unity The basis of this article is Concept Paper elaborated by staff of Mission and Evangelism team of Council of Churches as a framework for study of Transformative and Mission (2008-2010). A growing awareness has been perceived in past years regarding spirituality as a basic pillar in journey towards unity. The Council of Churches and this concrete project are part of this long itinerary together with other partners and ecumenical organizations. The emphasis on spirituality on part of some significant leaders of ecumenical movement is very clear and it constitutes a hope for revitalizing our journey towards visible unity and full communion. Consequently, spirituality will be in future one of main elements in ecumenical education. It has been said that from stand of spirituality we will develop and nurture ecumenism for our times in 21st (2) It has also been said that transformative spirituality in mission can be considered as a new vision for ecumenical movement. Edinburgh Missionary Conference in 1910 inspired birth of modern ecumenical movement, we aim to envision a new ecumenism by bringing transformative spirituality and mission to heart of ecumenical movement in new century. (3) Some of last assemblies of WCC have been an expression of this awareness. We remember that 1983 Vancouver assembly was called the praying assembly. The 1991 Canberra assembly theme was expressed for first time in form of an invocation, Come, Holy Spirit-Renew Whole Creation. The 1998 Harare assembly reaffirmed this concern for an authentic spirituality including a number of ethical issues that required urgent attention. Perhaps one of most interesting events we need to recall in this respect is 1994 Annecy consultation on Spirituality for our times. The assumptions made as a mark of a genuine, holistic spirituality for today were: first, source and guiding force of a true spirituality is action by Holy Spirit; secondly, spirituality is lived and sought in community; and thirdly, this spirituality involves an ongoing process of formation and discipleship. As to specific marks of such a spirituality, it was affirmed that it is to be incarnational with a proper emphasis on here-and-now of our existence. Informed by a sensitivity to culture and language and by history and symbols of a people, it should be celebratory. This spirituality is life-giving and is sustained by life of Trinity, rooted in scripture and nourished by prayer. This spirituality calls us to suffering for others' sake, to take risks in cause of justice. Open to wider oikoumene, it is joyful and hopeful. The WCC Mission Statements (1980-2005) gathered under title You are Light of World (Matt. 5:14), contain very rich spirituality material. As expressed in its introduction, this gospel reference, together with parallel sentence you are salt of earth, provides a key turning point in Sermon of Mount, linking proclamation of good news as beatitudes with guidelines that follow for a gospel-based ethics and spirituality. It is a vision that combines search for justice God requires and a shining witness to Christ, a mission whose aim is to invite all people to give glory to God (Matt. 5:16). (4) The WCC Athens Mission Conference (2005) was an opportunity to review some of contextual elements for mission that we consider worth remembering here. …