A High-Level Strategic 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 World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, and the leadership of ecumenical specialized ministries.
The consultation aimed to discern together strategic priorities, expectations, and responsibilities for ecumenical cooperation, collaboration and responsibility, as well as explore the distinctive value, strategic added value and transformative potential of ecumenical cooperation among those committed to ecumenical witness and action.
Rev. Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, stated at the beginning, “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.”
Rev. Dr Anne Burghardt, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, spoke about a global context that requires a global response.
“What is clear is that power centers are shifting and the global situation may look very different depending on from where you look at it and which values you hold,” she said. “Several actors have the feeling that they have not been invited to the table.”
Today, when the secular multilateral system is weakening, Burghardt suggested that faith-based Christian actors have a particular responsibility to join efforts in protecting human dignity.
“We must also take a very clear stance against any instrumentalization of Christianity, particularly when Christianity is used to promote disregard for human dignity,” she said.
Historically, ecumenical cooperation has been very reactive to the political and social dynamics. This meeting is about a visionary strategic conversation at the leadership level.
Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary of the ACT Alliance, 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.”
Biblical reflections shared in morning prayer moments of each day helped to theologically frame the conversations.
Reflecting 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.”
The morning prayer of the first day also 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 following morning, Rev. Dr. Japhet Ndhlovu, Executive Minister in the Church in Mission Unit of the United Church of Canada, was invited to offer 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 centre; 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 consultation concluded with discussions on the next steps forward by each organization and those present at the meeting.
