Calvin Synod Herald, 1976 (76. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1976-01-01 / 1-2. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD WCC ENDS NAIROBI ASSEMBLY; MAINTAINS SUPPORT OF LIBERATION One of the few things participants in the recently-concluded First Assembly of the World Council of Churches had in common was their faith in Jesus Christ. Meeting Nov. 23 through Dec. 10 in Nairobi, Kenya, 2,000 people, including 747 delegates representing 286 member Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches, called for “a new spirituality of intention, thought and action.” Let us affirm that “we intend to struggle together,” proposed Robert McAfee Brown, a professor at Stanford University and Pacific School of Religion, in his keynote address. Going beyond the assembly’s theme “Jesus Christ Frees and Unites,” Dr. Brown stated: “As Jesus liberates us, we are required to face the potential divisions that liberation brings so that we can move toward a truer unity than would otherwise be possible.” The UCC sent a ten-member delegation led by President Robert V. Moss. The Assembly, which meets every seven years, determines broad policy guidelines in plenary business sessions. Action included: — plans to support liberation efforts around the world and to fight sex discrimination and racism; — a $100,000 appeal for 7,000 families made destitute by fighting in Lebanon; — a call to end denial of religious liberty in the Soviet Union. (The subject of religious repression was introduced in an 11-page letter from two Russian Orthodox churchmen in Moscow, but the official Russian delegation complained of outside interference in “problems which don’t exist”) ; — reproval of alleged West German nuclear assistance to South Africa; — affirmation of women and the church. In 1968, 9% of the delegates at the fourth assembly in Uppsala were women. This year 20% were. People under 30 years old comprised 10% of the delegates as opposed to 4% under 35 at Uppsala. WCC officials reported that they had secured funding for 19 projects to aid women in developing countries which will continue through 1976. The projects were part of the International Women’s Year (1975) observance of the Council. The WCC Christian Medical Commission received a second six-year mandate. The agency assists churchrelated health care units in many countries to broaden services in cooperation with governments. The Council also renewed a commitment for church aid to Indochina through the Fund for Reconstruction and Reconciliation. No common date for Easter The assembly discussed, but took no specific action on, the possibility of setting a common date for the observance of Easter. Churches in the Eastern and Western traditions now celebrate Easter on different dates. Further ties were sought with the Roman Catholic Church which had 16 official observers at the meeting. WCC financial officers pointed to the international monetary situation as a prime factor in the Council’s budget problems. The contribution of American churches has increased by 16% since 1968, but the value, in Swiss francs, is 32% less. Currently 38% of the WCC $3 millian budget comes from churches in the United States which, with churches in the Federal Republic of Germany, have been asked to increase contributions. New churches Fifteen new churches were admitted to the World Council, eight as full members and seven as associate members. Churches are eligible for membership if they accept the basis on which the WCC is founded, have an independent existence, maintain ecumenical relations with other churches and have at least 25,000 members. Associate members must meet all but the membership criteria. Meeting for the first time in a thirdworld country, the 27-year-old Council had unprecedented attendance by third world Christians—-38% of the delegates. Africa provided an appropriate gathering place because it shows a 5%-per-year increase in the number of Christians. The All-Africa Conference of Churches, a highly visible faction at the Assembly, has been a proponent of African self-reliance and a potent force in social and political struggles in the Sudan, Nigeria and South Africa. Evangelism vs. social action was a pervasive theme during the 18-day meeting. Dissent was heard from conservatives calling for more evangelism, from third world churches complaining of Western church domination and from Orthodox Christians who feel out of touch with activism. Philip A. Potter, WCC General Secretary, pointed out to the delegates “that all the major issues—political, economic, racial, social—are global in character and interrelated.” He called for a covenant relationship between member denominations. 1676-1976 The 300th Anniversary of Liberation of Hungarian Galley Slaves will be observed in our churches on February 8, 1976
