The Council for World Mission (CWM) joined an historical global gathering from 3-5 December in Hannover, Germany commemorating two decades of the Accra Confession, which is widely regarded as a gift from the Reformed communion to the larger ecumenical community.
The Accra Confession, particularly with its focus on economic equality and combatting oppression, has played a global role in uniting faith communities for justice.
Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) General Secretary, in his welcome address, highlighted the purpose of the consultation: “This consultation celebrates the Accra Confession while addressing its gaps and challenges. The Accra Confession remains a vital part of the ecumenical journey, with the WCRC walking alongside partners like the Council for World Mission and the World Council of Churches.”
Raising the stakes for justice
In a presentation on “Rise to Life: Mission in the Catastrophic Times,” Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum, General Secretary of CWM, noted that, even as we celebrate two decades of the Accra Confession, we are called to act now—in a day of climate crises, totalitarian terror, wars, and dysfunctional democracies.
“There are immediate and present dangers to many individuals and communities in our world,” he said. “The world is deeply wounded.”
Keum reflected that the Accra Confession has raised the stakes concerning attitudes toward issues of structural poverty in the world. “Following on from this, the CWM has joined the journey, keen to explore the missional implications of the Accra Confession, as it names the principalities and powers with which we must contend as we seek to proclaim the good news of God in our time,” he said. “At the end of the day, we all have to stand under the cross and have a crucified mind.”
Living into Accra today
After 20 years of the Accra Confession, Keum noted challenges in the world coupled with issues the confession could not address during its time.
“Accra did not address the whole issue of colonial exploitation and reparative justice,” he said. “The Accra Confession was a product of a long and patient process of hearings from the grassroots struggles to the global finance workers in the face of economic globalisation.”
Ending his presentation with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr that beseeches the faithful to hold on to their dreams, Keum said, “Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, [we] still have a dream.”
“As one family of God’s mission, let WCRC and CWM be transforming companions in our journey toward building life-flourishing communities.”
About the Accra Confession
The Accra Confession was adopted by the delegates of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) 24th General Council in Accra, Ghana, in 2004. The confession was based on the theological conviction that the economic and environmental injustices of the global economy require the Reformed family to respond as a matter of faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2010, WARC merged with the Reformed Ecumenical Council, forming the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
