LWF co-hosts high-level strategic consultation on ecumenical collaboration

Discerning together strategic priorities and shared responsibility

(LWI) - A High-Level Partnership Consultation on Ecumenical Cooperation held 29-30 April at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey created a space for honest, forward-looking dialogue among senior leaders of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), World Council of Churches (WCC), ACT Alliance, and the leadership of partner organizations.

The joint consultation aimed to discern together responsibility, strategic priorities, and expectations, for ecumenical cooperation, collaboration and, especially in the areas of advocacy and humanitarian and development aid. It also explored the distinctive value, strategic added value and transformative potential of ecumenical cooperation among those committed to ecumenical witness and action.

LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt spoke about the distinct relevance of faith-based organizations and the global solidarity that goes beyond project cycles. She elaborated the deep local presence of churches, trusted relationships, moral credibility rooted in values and global solidarity that is “motivated by hope, in good times and hard times.”

Highlighting the increasingly worrying trend of portraying human dignity as negotiable, she emphasized the moral responsibility of Christian actors to affirm “inherent dignity that does not depend on nationality, productivity, political usefulness, religion, gender, or status.” Faith communities also have the responsibility to “carry narratives of hope stronger than despair, reconciliation stronger than hatred, and solidarity stronger than fear” and help people rebuild trust, and imagine a future again.

Pointing to the weakening collaboration across secular organizations, the LWF General Secretary encouraged faith partners to create spaces for dialogue where others only see camps and enemies. “When public opinion shifts and collaboration weakens across multilateral organizations, Christian actors have a moral responsibility to join efforts in protecting human dignity.”

Called to serve

WCC General Secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, stated that , “Our coming together is not merely institutional – it is profoundly theological, missional, and urgent in light of the world we are called to serve.” He called for moving from cooperation to intentional and integral collaboration. “One of the pressing challenges we face is fragmentation of voice, of resources, and at times, of strategy,” he said.

“The credibility of our witness depends on coherence and collaboration,” he said. “Coherence and collaboration between theological reflection and humanitarian action; between advocacy at the global level and accompaniment at the grassroots level; between institutional structures and the lived realities of churches and communities.”

“This does not require uniformity, but it does require intentional alignment,” he said. “I believe we are living in a kairos moment. The call before us is not institutional survival but faithful discipleship in a wounded world.” In calling for collaboration, he said, “May we have the courage not only to collaborate, but to be transformed by collaboration.”

A first step

Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, ACT Alliance General Secretary, described the consultation as a space for honest and forward-looking dialogue.

“Historically, ecumenical cooperation has been very reactive to the political and social dynamics,” he said. “This meeting is about a visionary strategic conversation at the leadership level.”

Those present are trying to see the context of the world in a wider way, de Faria added.

"It’s a starting point for a longer process,” he said. “What it’s not about: it is not a decision-making consultation but a first step to a longer conversation.”

Hope in fragile times

Biblical reflections shared in morning prayer moments of each day helped to theologically frame the conversations.

Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 1:1–6 on 29 April, Rev. Pauliina Parhiala, Executive Director of Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission, underlined the fact that the consultation is occurring in a time when the world feels fragile but simultaneously there is also deep commitment, courage, and hope.

"It is hope that arises from remembering that God has already met us where things are hard—and has not abandoned us, she noted. “We are justified not because our situation looks promising, but because God remains faithful,” she said. “The future is not secured by our capacity, but by God’s promise.”

Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu, Executive Minister in the Church in Mission Unit of the United Church of Canada, offered reflections on Romans 5:1–11. He spoke about hope as an act of defiance, grounded in the conviction that “the God of hope fills us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

“Every time we choose to listen at the margins rather than protect the center; every time we share resources across borders; every time our liturgies tell the truth about Empire and proclaim good news to the poor—we practice deep hope, step into bold hope, and enact daring hope. In doing so, we join the United Church’s vision of being ‘hope-filled communities united in deep spirituality, inspiring worship, and daring justice.’”

The morning prayer of the first day included a moment of remembrance for Rev. Prof. Jione Havea, a renowned ecumenical theologian from Tonga, who passed away earlier the same day. The general secretaries of the WCC, ACT, and LWF lit a candle and called for a moment of silence in honor of his legacy.

The consultation concluded with discussions on the next steps forward by each organization and those present at the meeting.