Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Churches remember Korean hostages in Afghanistan after latest death

By Ekklesia staff writers31 Jul 2007

The killing of a second Korean Christian hostage in Afghanistan has led the Presbyterian Churchin the Republic of Korea (PROK) to make an urgent call for prayer amongthe “entire ecumenical community around the world [...] that the killings of innocent people may stop and that these hostages may safely return to their families.”

“We urge the global community to work for true peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan,” wrote Presbyterian general secretary the Rev Yoon Kil Soo in a letter yesterday. It continued: “We sincerely request the governments of both Afghanistan and the US to lead the negotiations with the Taliban for the sake of the safe return of the hostages.”

“The entire ecumenical community weeps at the senseless loss of life taking place in Afghanistan,” said Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, in response to the letter.

Dr Kobia said: “We invite our member churches to pray with our brothers and sister in Korea for a peaceful end to this crisis and that the hostages will be freed.”

The WCC chief also emphasized the need for a speedy and peaceful end to the violence in Afghanistan and for a nonviolent resolution to the long standing conflict there.

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Friday, July 27, 2007

Anglicans and Catholics Reaching Out in the Digital World


This is a BBC Brasil article about Jesuits encouraging evangelization in the virtual world of Second Life which boasts a population of 8 million. Although I have not visited yet I recently came across the Anglican Church of Second Life. It is holding two Sunday services already: One for the US "Community" and another the Pacific & Europe "Community". They even have theologians working on issues like "How to have the Eucharist", "What is sin in Second Life" and "How to provide pastoral care". The article below focuses more on the Roman Catholic efforts...

Jesuítas estão incentivando fiéis católicos a entrar no Second Life, o mundo virtual da internet, do qual participam mais de oito milhões de usuários.


No Second Life, cada participante assume a forma de um 'avatar', como são chamados os residentes do site.

Em um artigo publicado na revista Civilità Cattolica, os jesuítas dizem que a internet é também uma oportunidade para evangelizar.

“Second Life é um sinal de modernidade, um instrumento que deve ser utilizado”, disse à BBC Brasil o padre Michele Simone, vice-diretor da Civilità Cattolica, uma publicação da Companhia de Jesus, congregação que reúne os jesuítas.

Simone lembra que outras religiões já estão presentes no mundo virtual e que, portanto, seria "oportuno" que a Igreja Católica fizesse o mesmo.

“Tem espaço para Deus no universo cibernético”, afirmou. “Seria bom que a idéia de Deus fosse apresentada de forma correta no Second Life.”

Inovação

A proposta dos jesuítas é considerada inovadora no mundo católico. No artigo publicado na última edição da revista da congregação, eles dizem que é “preciso ter coragem de se aventurar no mundo do Second Life, o lugar na internet onde é possível viver em maneira simulada uma segunda vida, digital, e onde uma crescente população mundial de internautas tem necessidade de receber uma mensagem de fé”.

Riscos e oportunidades são analisados no texto da Companhia de Jesus. De acordo com os jesuítas, “a segunda vida virtual está cheia de locais de orações, mesquitas, igrejas, catedrais e conventos, sempre mais populosos de avatares, desejosos de meditar e encontrar Deus”.

Eles assinalam que, no Second Life, existem grupos ou lugares de caráter religioso e espiritual.

"São 23 igrejas. Também catedrais como as simulações das católicas Notre-Dame, de Paris, da catedral de Salzburgo, ou da anglicana Saint Paul, de Londres.”

'Terra de missão'

Na avaliação dos jesuítas, “qualquer iniciativa capaz de animar positivamente esse lugar deve ser considerada oportuna. A terra digital é, a seu modo, também terra de missão”, diz o texto.

Segundo o padre Simone, a idéia desse desafio nasce de um fato concreto: o fenômeno está em expansão. De acordo com ele, é importante que os católicos não estejam ausentes. Ao contrário, devem participar “para não deixar que a dimensão religiosa seja instrumentalizada ou ocupada por outros”.

Foi também a revista da Companhia de Jesus que, em 2005, convidou os católicos a entrar no mundo dos blogs e divulgar a fé por meio da internet.

Hoje, são inúmeros padres, bispos e cardeais ao redor do mundo que criaram blogs para se comunicar com os fiéis. Alguns, inclusive, criticam decisões tomadas pelo papa Bento 16.

Estima-se que existam atualmente na internet mais de nove mil páginas de paróquias e congregações católicas.

Uma versão religiosa do YouTube, o GodTube, também foi criada.

Até mesmo as irmãs carmelitas italianas, que vivem na clausura, contam seu dia-a-dia através de um blog.

Na última semana, foi a vez de o Vaticano inovar, lançando uma página virtual interativa na internet, colocando, inclusive, uma webcam direcionada à tumba do papa João Paulo 2º.

O padre Simone diz que o desafio é direcionado aos católicos e não sabe se o Vaticano apoiará a iniciativa. De qualquer maneira, ele lembra que a revista Civilità Cattolica é supervisionada pela Secretaria de Estado da Santa Sé e nenhum texto é publicado antes que conte com o aval oficial do Vaticano.

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Thursday, July 26, 2007

On Importance and Significance



"I was brought up in a Christian environment where, because
God had to be given preeminence, nothing else was allowed to be important. I have broken through to the position that
because God exists, everything has significance.”



Evangeline Paterson, Irish Poet





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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

USA Today touts Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

PC(USA) ranks high with more than 29,000 Gulf coast volunteers
by Jerry Van Marter Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE - According to a report in USA Today - the largest newspaper in the country - the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has sent more volunteers to the Gulf coast to help relief and rebuilding efforts since Hurricane Katrina struck almost two years ago.

According to a list compiled by the newspaper, 29,345 Presbyterians have aided the Katrina relief efforts, ranking the PC(USA) fourth among all faith-based organizations.

Only the Southern Baptist Convention, Habitat for Humanity and the United Methodist Committee on Relief have contributed more volunteer workers to the relief effort.

Most of the PC(USA)'s efforts have been coordinated by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

We are deeply indebted to all the Presbyterians who have so selflessly contributed to the rebuilding of the Gulf coast," said PDA coordinator Susan Ryan. "And while public recognition is not our reason for doing this work, it is gratifying to see USA Today tell its millions of readers that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is so effective in bearing Christ's love to those most in need."

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Nueva visión de CONELA quiere ser integral y llamar a la unidad

BOGOTÁ, 11 de julio (GospelNoticias.Com/ALC).-La Confraternidad Evangélica Latinoamericana (CONELA) inició una nueva serie de campañas estratégicas, alianzas pastorales, denominacionales, de liderazgo y de entidades que “representan el pensamiento y la vida de la iglesia evangélica latinoamericana”, dijo Ricardo Luna, recientemente elegido presidente de la organización en la asamblea realizada en esta ciudad.

Luna, de origen ecuatoriano, indicó que en unión con todos los miembros y socios de CONELA, el comité ejecutivo y los vicepresidentes regionales tienen la función de servir, mantener conectada, y representar la reflexión y acción de la iglesia evangélica en América Latina, “agradecidos con Dios y con los que nos han precedido y entregado una preciosa herencia de fe y vida en el evangelio; la nueva CONELA recibe esta herencia como nuestra guía de acción ante el mundo, y los retos de hoy y mañana”, dijo Luna.

“Durante los últimos 20 años, en medio de luchas y pruebas, hemos asimilado nuestra identidad de iglesias evangélicas; la Palabra de Dios y la proclamación del evangelio han sido la base de nuestra fe y misión basada en una relación personal con Jesucristo, que resulta en una transformación personal, por lo que seguimos con este compromiso hacia el futuro”, declaró el ex director del ministerio de Puertas Abiertas.

Luna reveló que la nueva CONELA, tiene principios como la inclusión, “asegurados de nuestra identidad, y desde ella, asimilamos una visión de relaciones y acciones inclusivas con las diferentes expresiones de la fe y la sociedad (educadores, políticos, economistas, científicos, artistas); transformación, como una palabra de alianzas de ministros nacionales, presidentes de países, lideres de alianzas pastorales, iglesias locales, y el liderazgo previo de CONELA a identificado como una prioridad de expresión y acción en nuestra amada América Latina. Es una palabra profética para nuestro continente”, indicó.

Como iglesias "haremos la contribución de América Latina al cumplimiento de la gran comisión en forma integral; esto nos ayudará a reconciliar los debates y las luchas entre los ricos y pobres, liberales y conservadores, la globalización y nacionalización económica, en iglesias numerosas y pequeñas; vamos a unirnos en expresión integral de nuestra fe con dos principios Bíblicos”, añadió el dirigente, citando los pasajes bíblicos de Mateo 28.

“Requerimos de una visión que conduzca a una voz y acción profética ante los retos sociales de la injusticia, el aborto, la pobreza, la definición bíblica del matrimonio, la eutanasia, la corrupción, el SIDA, la destrucción del medio ambiente, y la violencia familiar, comunal, nacional y entre las naciones” expresó Luna; “nos declaramos a favor de vivir los principios y valores bíblicos de la justicia, la integridad, la moralidad, el desarrollo económico sostenible, la vida, el perdón, la reconciliación, la tolerancia, la restauración y la paz”, señaló.

Conela, dijo Luna, convocará expresiones continentales de Unidad, comprendida como más que una teología o un buen concepto; es un principio que necesita ser expresado, por lo tanto, proponemos a la iglesia de Jesucristo en América Latina expresar la unidad, y nuestros valores de proclamación y transformación, en tres días a nivel continental: Día Continental de Oración (Jueves Santo), Día Continental de la Biblia (Octubre 31), Día Continental de Servicio Social (Mayo 1).

Luna, instó para que los ministros, lideres denominacionales, entidades pro-eclesiásticas y asociaciones pastorales expresen “nuestra unidad en la misión de la transformación individual, de nuestras familias, iglesias, comunidades y naciones, hasta “reunir en Él todas las cosas.”

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Something to learn from "Immigrants"


The word "immigrant" has not had the most positive connotations lately, This article presents some interesting facts...

"Hispanics born and raised in the United States may be in poorer health than new immigrants -- with higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

Poor eating habits, smoking and a lack of exercise are all likely to blame, the team at the University of Southern California, the University of California Los Angeles and the University of Pennsylvania said"
Click here to read the Reuters article

"Other Christians not true churches"

The recent statement of Benedict XVI statement brought swift criticism from Protestant leaders. "It makes us question whether we are indeed praying together for Christian unity," said the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, a fellowship of 75 million Protestants in more than 100 countries.
Click here to read the Associated Press Article

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

A Multi-Colored Future for the Golden State


The number of people in California, already the most populous U.S. state, will rise to 60 million by 2050 from 36 million now, and Hispanics will be in the majority by 2042, a state report released on Monday forecast. What are the implication of those realities for mission on this fascinating part of God's world?

Read the Reuters report here

Saturday, July 07, 2007

A Bear in Trouble

Un osito se subio a uno de los postes de la ciudad donde vivimos y no se podia bajar

Why the Church?


An excerpt from "It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian". By Dr. Tod Bolsinger. Pastor at San Clemente Presbyterian Church

For most Christians, the local church is usually regarded as nothing more than a personally helpful but basically benign reality. Oh, sure, we honor the Church the way we honor our Mother’s on Mother’s Day or Veteran’s on Veteran’s day—because we have some genuine affection and mostly because we think it is the right thing to do. The more traditional of us, may even use exalted language in declaring it a "means of grace." But most often we think of the Church as nothing more than an optional "strategy" or a "system" for local evangelistic efforts, social change, or a dispenser of resources to help the individual on his or her Christian journey. Churches are offered like different shops are offered at a mall. Indeed, the largest churches offer themselves as a kind of spiritual mall in itself, bidding the seeker: Come here and choose from our wide array of Christian classes, teachings, activities, that which you need to live out your individual Christian life.

In this model the church is a repository of spiritual goods that assist the individual Christian. It is a vendor of religious services. It is The Home Depot for the spiritual do-it-yourselfer who wants to build a Christian home.

But that is not the Church of the first century. The Church of the first century is “a people.” And the transformed and transforming quality of “the people” serving as the flesh and blood witness to a life-transforming God is the point. As 1 Peter 2:9-10 says:

"You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful life.

Once you were not a people;
now you are the people of God.
Once you received none of God's mercy;
now you have received mercy." (NLT)

This is what the Bible teaches: The Church is God's incarnation today. The Church is Jesus' body on earth. The Church is the temple of the Spirit. The Church is not a helpful thing for my individual spiritual journey. The Church is the journey. The Church is not a collection of “soul-winners” all seeking to tell unbelievers “the Way” to God. The Church is the Way. To be part of the Church is to be part of God—to be part of God’s Communion and to be part of God’s ministry. To belong to the people of God is to enjoy relationship with God and live out the purposes of God. This is why the Church is the only true means to be transformed into the likeness of God.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

On Knowing and Being Known


Globally, the vast majority of the world’s non-Christians have relatively little contact with Christians. In fact, more than 86 percent of all Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims do not even know a Christian. According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, more than 80 percent of all non-Christians do not personally know a Christian.

Read Dr. James Emery White's article

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Traveling as a Mission Paradigm


I wanted to share an interview with Duke Divinity School professor Emmanuel Katongole in which he offers a new paradigm for missions. These words resonated with me...

"Being an immigrant can be a blessing. God's mission, as I read it in 2 Corinthians 5:17, is new creation. God is reconciling the world to himself. And there is a sense of journey that is connected with that. When, later on, Paul says that "we are ambassadors of God's reconciliation, God is appealing through us," he is inviting us into a journey toward a new kind of community. People looking at Christians should be confused. Who are these people? Are they black? Are they white? Are they Americans? Are they Ugandans? In Revelation, John sees people drawn from all languages and tribes and nations: an unprecedented congregation. Living on three continents has deepened my understanding of the church as such a congregation; at the same time, it has heightened my sense of Christian life as a journey and of what it means to live as a pilgrim, a resident alien"

Check out the entire Christianity Today interview