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Friday 27 September 2013

Common Call for all Christians

This agreement was made by Church leaders in 2010
I wonder what happened?
What steps were taken to put these statements into a practical form for action?
 
 
Edinburgh 2010
COMMON CALL
As we gather for the centenary of the World Missionary Conference of Edinburgh
1910, we believe the church, as a sign and symbol of the reign of God, is called
to witness to Christ today by sharing in God’s mission of love through the
transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
1. Trusting in the Triune God and with a renewed sense of urgency, we are
called to incarnate and proclaim the good news of salvation, of forgiveness of sin,
of life in abundance, and of liberation for all poor and oppressed. We are
challenged to witness and evangelism in such a way that we are a living
demonstration of the love, righteousness and justice that God intends for the
whole world.
2. Remembering Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and his resurrection for the
world’s salvation, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to authentic
dialogue, respectful engagement and humble witness among people of other
faiths – and no faith – to the uniqueness of Christ. Our approach is marked with
bold confidence in the gospel message; it builds friendship, seeks reconciliation
and practises hospitality.
3. Knowing the Holy Spirit who blows over the world at will, reconnecting creation
and bringing authentic life, we are called to become communities of compassion
and healing, where young people are actively participating in mission, and
women and men share power and responsibilities fairly, where there is a new
zeal for justice, peace and the protection of the environment, and renewed liturgy
reflecting the beauties of the Creator and creation.
4. Disturbed by the asymmetries and imbalances of power that divide and trouble
us in church and world, we are called to repentance, to critical reflection on
systems of power, and to accountable use of power structures. We are called to
find practical ways to live as members of One Body in full awareness that God
resists the proud, Christ welcomes and empowers the poor and afflicted, and the
power of the Holy Spirit is manifested in our vulnerability.
5. Affirming the importance of the biblical foundations of our missional
engagement and valuing the witness of the Apostles and martyrs, we are called
to rejoice in the expressions of the gospel in many nations all over the world. We
celebrate the renewal experienced through movements of migration and mission
in all directions, the way all are equipped for mission by the gifts of the Holy
Spirit, and God’s continual calling of children and young people to further the
gospel.
6. Recognising the need to shape a new generation of leaders with authenticity
for mission in a world of diversities in the twenty-first century, we are called to
work together in new forms of theological education. Because we are all made in
the image of God, these will draw on one another’s unique charisms, challenge
each other to grow in faith and understanding, share resources equitably
worldwide, involve the entire human being and the whole family of God, and
respect the wisdom of our elders while also fostering the participation of children.
7. Hearing the call of Jesus to make disciples of all people – poor, wealthy,
marginalised, ignored, powerful, living with disability, young, and old – we are
called as communities of faith to mission from everywhere to everywhere. In joy
we hear the call to receive from one another in our witness by word and action, in
streets, fields, offices, homes, and schools, offering reconciliation, showing love,
demonstrating grace and speaking out truth.
8. Recalling Christ, the host at the banquet, and committed to that unity for which
he lived and prayed, we are called to ongoing co-operation, to deal with
controversial issues and to work towards a common vision. We are challenged to
welcome one another in our diversity, affirm our membership through baptism in
the One Body of Christ, and recognise our need for mutuality, partnership,
collaboration and networking in mission, so that the world might believe.
9. Remembering Jesus’ way of witness and service, we believe we are called by
God to follow this way joyfully, inspired, anointed, sent and empowered by the
Holy Spirit, and nurtured by Christian disciplines in community. As we look to
Christ’s coming in glory and judgment, we experience his presence with us in the
Holy Spirit, and we invite all to join with us as we participate in God’s
transforming and reconciling mission of love to the whole creation.
The Edinburgh 2010 Common Call emerged from the Edinburgh 2010 study
process and conference to mark the centenary of the World Missionary
Conference, Edinburgh 1910. The Common Call was affirmed in the Church of
Scotland Assembly Hall in Edinburgh on 6 June 2010 by representatives of world
Christianity, including Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and
Protestant churches. For further information, see www.edinburgh2010.org

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