Date: 2009-05-05 23:44:08
In the latest issue of the International Review of Mission to reach my desk (Vol. 97 No. 386/387, July/October 2008), there is an interesting article entitled “Conversion, Evangelism and the Market” by the Rev. Dr. Moiseraele Prince Dibeela, General Secretary of the Congregational Church in Southern Africa and a member of the central committee of the World Council of Churches. The article was being completed just as the market crashed. It sounds prophetic: “market fundamentalism” – the insistence on the free market as the only viable economic policy – “becomes an idol”. The author warns that “any form of fundamentalism, whether it is religious, political or about social thought, is immature, dangerous and not helpful for constructive thought and development.”
“How can the church circumvent the tyrannous market paradigm so that, abiding in God, it can be a signpost for a new economy?” Dibeela asks. A pertinent question considering that many these days are anxiously awaiting an upturn in the market so that they can resume business as usual. Dibeela’s answer: “There is a need for the church to allow herself to be evangelized by the poor; to hear, see and feel the oppression of the poor... The church, in its attempt to become a signpost of God’s economy, must ecclesiologically reposition herself so that the experiences, history, thoughts and dreams of the underclass saturate mainstream theology.” Speaking of the church he says, “Few resources have been put into addressing issues of the healing of communities, job creation, welcoming the stranger, conflict and reconciliation processes and economic injustice. Yet, this is the core of the missio Dei.”
The global economic crisis presents a window of opportunity to prophetic voices like these. Let’s pray for ears to hear.
Not unrelated, you can read this week about our coming ecumenical service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Reconciliation, as well as other events and global developments that deserve our support and prayer.
Glenine Hamlyn
Reconciliation and healing are at the heart of Christian unity. Join us for a service for Christian unity and reconciliation – On National Sorry Day, 26 May (Brisbane).
Each year Aunty Jean Phillips holds a soup night in Brisbane to raise funds for Indigenous projects. All welcome – from all communities!
Click here to download a flyer.
Those in north-west Brisbane are warmly invited to a dawn ceremony on National Sorry Day, 26 May at 7:00am, to commemorate those affected by the policies of the Stolen Generations, and to show a spirit of community between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of this area.
Click here to see entry in What’s On and download a flyer.
"We refuse to be enemies," says a Palestinian farmer despite ongoing harassment by Israelis wanting to expand Israeli settlements.
Keep in touch with news from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel
Churches are playing a role in reducing torture and violence in the Philippines, but active Christian leaders there are still victims of human rights abuses.
