A major international forum on mission and spirituality has called for unified progress among churches around the world to work alongside other faiths to challenge the “deadly effects” of neo-liberal economic globalisation.
The forum, which was sponsored by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Council for World Mission (CWM), brought 41 leaders from across Europe, Asia, the Pacific, Middle-East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, to gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week.The gathering came together under the title ‘Living out the Accra Confession and its implications for our spirituality and mission’. The purpose of the forum was to continue the process of mobilising churches to take action against injustices caused by globalisation.
The Accra Confession was a major statement of the 24th General Council of WARC held at Accra, Ghana, in 2004. It declared that working to create a more just economy is essential to the integrity of Christian faith.
A statement released by the forum said, “We affirm that Accra was not the end but a signpost along the way and that with us and all those who have declared (in the Accra Confession) 'we commit ourselves to seek a global covenant for justice in the economy and the earth in the household of God,' the covenanting process enters a new stage and we invite all God's people to join us in this journey.”
It continued, “Today we are driven towards a state of madness by the forces of domination, the logic of empire and the neo-liberal temptation to worship mammon, not God. This madness extends to the whole creation which is today paying a high price, threatening life in all its forms.“The Accra Confession warns that there may be no life at all if this madness continues and reminds us of God's call to chose life not death.”
A great concern arose from delegates that many churches throughout the world had distorted God’s creation with their theologies and worship, and a clear call was made for churches to reclaim the true meaning of economy, which they said had been “poisoned” by neo-liberal economics.
The statement said, “The neo-liberal global economy, an economic system based primarily on individual accumulation of wealth and property, is claiming total and hegemonic control over all of life, demanding an endless flow of sacrifices from the poor and the earth.
“(Churches) must reclaim the theological idea that the economy of God is in direct contradiction to the current neo-liberal economy.”
In addition the statement said, “We invite all God's people to join with us in a 'covenanting for justice' movement to transform ourselves and the world according to God's purposes and promises, inspired by the vision of a new heaven and new earth.”
“Through mutual encouragement and solidarity we can increase our capacity, our strength and our courage as we engage with the principalities and powers of our time.”
WARC is a fellowship of 75-million Reformed Christians in 218 churches in 107 countries. CWM is a worldwide community of 31 Christian churches.
The forum took place from 15 to 19 May 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
