This article presents an overview of discussions on the ecumenical document ‘Christian witness in a multi-religious world’. Beginning in Germany, it highlights the attention the document received and tracks some of the arguments through the changing contexts of the last decade connected to the document’s invitation for a mission in respect of others. The challenge to implement the recommendations the document offers in a common endeavour to witness to Christ is then emphasized. The reception process for the document is described as an invitation to adopt and contextualize the principles and recommendations in one’s own practising of mission and evangelism instead of sending comments on the text for revision.
World Mission Conferences (WMC) have always included missionary calls and an analysis of the present-day situation, 1 and frequently have provided important input for the debate on the mission of the churches throughout the world and in Germany. The upcoming WMC in Arusha, Tanzania, therefore raises high expectations. The following considerations attempt to sketch the subject in the context of the situation in the German church and society and to point to possible links with what is known about the programme of the WMC.
Place and HistoryNo WMC conference has been held in Africa since 1958, in Achimota, Ghana.
The presentation of the document 'Christian witness in a multi-religious world: Recommendations for conduct' (ChW) in 2011 in Geneva was an ecumenical historical moment. The signing bodies, e.g. the World Council of Churches, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Evangelical Alliance, represent the largest number of Christians in the world who ever have been called by an ecumenical declaration: to reflect on their current practices and to use the recommendations in this document to prepare, where appropriate, their own guidelines for their witness and mission among those of different religions and among those who do not profess any particular religion. (ChW)
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