Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), participates in the closing prayer of the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, held 24–28 October 2025 in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt, under the theme “Where now for visible unity?”. Photo: WCC/A. Hillert
LWF General Secretary Burghardt reflects on Christian unity at close of Sixth Faith and Order Conference in Egypt
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt said the task of Christians is to make visible God’s unity and reconciliation, “taking the risk of being transformed” by our neighbors. Her reflections came at the conclusion of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order which has been taking place in Wadi El-Natrun in Egypt.
The Lutheran leader spoke about “shalom, salam, God’s all-encompassing peace, that is God’s will for the people of God.” But she contrasted that peace with conflicts that continue to rage in countries around the world today, from the wars in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere, to the socio-ethical questions that continue to deeply divide families and societies. “Politicians too often only fuel these disagreements and increase polarization,” she noted.
Churches are challenged to offer an alternative reaction, Burghardt said, showing “respect for each other’s dignity as for the dignity of God’s beloved children.” She asked: “Are we able to remain respectful towards each other while disagreeing on a number of issues? Or will we follow the countless examples of digging trenches on opposite sides of the road, when the road between us could lead us forward?”
We cannot create unity ourselves; God is the source of unity.
Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, LWF General Secretary
“From the way we relate to one another, the world should know we are disciples of Christ,” Burghardt continued, reflecting on the nature of human relationships with God, with each other and with the whole of creation. The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, which has been a central focus of the conference, offers a perfect example of the three persons of the Trinity “fully existing in relation to one another,” she said. “We cannot create unity ourselves; God is the source of unity,” she concluded. “Our task is to make this unity, this reconciliation visible [....] taking the risk of being transformed by the other, by our neighbor, who also follows Christ, who is with us on the journey.”
A unifying statement of faith
The 24 to 28 October gathering was the first World Conference since 1993 organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Faith and Order Commission. LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, Prof. Dirk Lange also attended the meeting, noting the importance of holding this Faith and Order Conference to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The Council, called by the Roman Emperor Constantine, began the work of drawing up the Creed as a unifying statement of faith, to which all Christians of that era could adhere. “The Council of Nicaea sought to find new language to address misleading theologies,” Lange said, “and in so doing confessed the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its day. It set the precedence for the Lutheran Confessional writings.”
Participants on the opening day of the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. Photo: WCC/A. Hillert
Rev. Prof. Dr Dirk G. Lange, LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations at the WCC Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order. Photo: WCC/A. Hillert
Rev. Prof. Dr Stephanie Dietrich (Church of Norway), moderator of the WCC Commission on Faith and Order, in conversation with His Eminence Bishop Abraham of the Coptic Orthodox Church at the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order. Photo: WCC/A. Hillert
The Faith and Order conference was hosted by the Coptic Orthodox Church and focused its discussions on the theme ’Where now for visible unity?’ It brought together theologians from different parts of the world and marked the first time that such a historic gathering has been held in the global south. Through lectures, panel discussions and small group workshops, participants “worked together to discern a way forward for Christian unity and perhaps begin answering the question: Where now?” Lange said. Worship also formed a central part of the life of the conference, introducing participants to many new songs composed on the Nicene Creed. “The compilation of creedal songs is an invaluable worship resource,” Lange added.
The Wadi El-Natrun region of Egypt was chosen as an ideal location for the gathering since it is considered the birthplace of monasticism and is home to several ancient monasteries dating back to the early third and fourth centuries. Participants explored both the historical and political context of the first Council of Nicaea, but also the meaning and implications of confessing the Creed together as Christians of different denominations in the world today.
