Living out the Accra Confession - Reclaiming mission
Friday, 19 May 2006 01:00
Page 4 of 5
Reclaiming mission
The Accra Confession names the principalities and powers of our time as neo-liberal economy, environmental destruction and our living in the context of empire. Against this background we are called by God to follow Jesus in announcing the good news of liberation and redemption, to reclaim life in its fullness for all.
We have learnt from the participants and churches represented here how this can be taken up in transformative mission,
- Rejecting - saying 'no' to the forces of death and destruction
- Rebuilding - working with God to establish life in its fullness
- Rejoicing - celebrating the goodness of God
Specifically in respect of the economy we understand this as:
- Reaffirming the call of the Accra Confession to reject the injustices of the present neo-liberal, deceptive and seductive consumerist market system
- Rediscovering and rebuilding 'markets' as the place for celebrating and nourishing life in community
- Rejoicing in the joy of mutual sharing, of giving and receiving which markets at their best truly enable
Specifically in respect of the environment we understand this as:
- Rejecting the exploitation of creation and repenting of lifestyles which contribute to its exploitation and degradation
- Rebuilding our relationship with the creation, which God has entrusted to our care
- Recognising the beauty and bounty of God's creation and rejoicing in it, for it is God's gift to us
Specifically in respect of empire we understand this as:
- Joining with the Accra Confession in rejecting all ideas of empire which subvert God's sovereignty over life and which act contrary to God's just rule; and confessing our historical complicity with empire
- Rebuilding relationships amongst the peoples of the earth, accepting all as sisters and brothers in the global community of all God's people; and committing ourselves to partnership in mission
- Recognising that in mutual love and respect we are enriched by each other and through this discover the joy of life
In these terms God calls us to transformative mission today.
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