Participants imagine and identify what might we anticipate in the work of mission in regional and global context for the future during the Global Mission Consultation of the LWF on the meaning of holistic mission in contemporary society and focus on the theme, ‘Embodying Hope: Renewing Mission in a Wounded World’. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
LWF leader reflects on six characteristics of “hopeful incarnate theology” which can help to renew churches’ holistic mission
(LWI) - Embodying hope as a missional church “is our faithful response to the God of hope revealed in Jesus Christ.” That was the message of Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to participants in a global consultation on mission which took place in Taipei City from 17 to 21 May.
Entitled ‘Embodying Hope: Renewing Mission in a Wounded World’, the gathering brought together representatives of LWF member churches and key mission partners to examine the theology and practical implementation of holistic mission in the 21st century. Addressing the meeting, Burghardt reflected on what it means to participate “in God’s mission in a complex and changing global context.”
The consultation, hosted by the Lutheran churches in Taiwan, marked the launch of a communion-wide process to support member churches and partners seeking to address mission-related challenges in their differing contexts. Held at the China Lutheran Seminary, its goal was to build on the landmark 2004 LWF document ‘Mission in Context: Transformation, Reconciliation, Empowerment’.
Sharing the loving, compassionate, liberating Word
In her keynote speech, Burghardt talked about the implications of mission theology which takes God’s incarnation seriously. She noted how the first disciples, when they encountered the Risen Christ, were transformed and empowered to go out and share the Good News which they had experienced as “loving, compassionate and liberating.”
The LWF leader offered reflections on “six key characteristics of a hopeful incarnate theology” which can provide a firm basis for participating in God’s mission, responding to the call “to discern with wisdom, act with courage and hope unceasingly.” This theology must always begin by “comprehending the context in which it is lived,” she noted, discerning where the gospel must challenge systems and practices and how it can be communicated in a language that is clear and easy to understand.
Rev. Dr. Chandran Paul Martin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Global Mission facilitates a discussion about theological and missiological reflections on the meaning of “mission”. Photo: LWF/LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
Youth participants provide their perspective on what they might anticipate in the work of mission in regional and global context for the future during the Global Mission Consultation of the LWF on the meaning of holistic mission in contemporary society and focus on the theme, ‘Embodying Hope: Renewing Mission in a Wounded World’. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
Secondly, she continued, a hopeful incarnate theology must be both deeply personal but also communal, “for no one can be church alone and we cannot be truly human apart from others.” The Lutheran tradition, she said, offers “an approach that could be called communal individualism”, which does not mean turning inwards, but instead “always directs the eyes of an individual towards Christ and one’s neighbor.”
Thirdly, Burghardt said, this hopeful and responsible theology “speaks with a prophetic voice” and “does not shy away from confronting injustice and the abuse of power.” This prophetic voice, she insisted, “needs to be directed both inside and outside the church,” so that churches and mission agencies can “reimagine a new kind of leadership, collaboration and partnership approach that would advance God’s mission over their own respective interests, fears or agendas.”
Prophetic voices are most effective when they go hand in hand with mercy and humility.
Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary
LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Fourthly, the LWF leader noted that in a world of meritocracy and self-centeredness, “a hopeful incarnate theology is compassionate, rooted in God’s mercy and grace.” Prophetic voices are most effective when they go hand in hand with mercy and humility, she said, noting that “the call to mercy should be a key component of our advocacy.”
A theology of hope also “embraces the whole of creation,” Burghardt said, recognizing “the radical consequences of God’s incarnation of God” and acknowledging “our responsibility to care for the earth and all living things.” Pointing to the contributions of Catholic and Orthodox leaders to the development of eco-theology, she said care for creation and “the call to walk gently on this earth” should be translated into actions as part of holistic mission.
Finally, Burghardt spoke about the way in which this theology can offer answers in a world challenged by rapidly evolving digital technologies, including artificial intelligence. Just as Luther, in his day, harnessed new technology to proclaim the gospel “while remaining vigilant about its misuses,” she said, so modern communication technologies can support mission, enable wider reach and create new spaces for engagement. At the same time, she said, artificial intelligence can never replace "the empowering presence of a Christian community coming together," and therefore churches must discern with responsibility and imagination how to use technology, not for profit but for the well-being of people we serve.”
