In the midst of a mounting climate of fear of refugees and immigrants, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling on Christians to be true to the Biblical imperative to ‘welcome the stranger’.
The WCC plans to extend its work in the field of multicultural ministry, in order to equip local churches from established and migrant communities to work together to counter rising xenophobia and intolerance in the wake of mass refugee migrations and violent incidents.
A weeklong workshop focussed on multiculturalism, ministry and mission concluded in Geneva last Friday, hours before the terrorist attacks in Paris. The objective was to equip ordained leaders and lay people to work in increasingly culturally mixed communities. Theological education, liturgy, and intergenerational dynamics in migrant churches were featured in the programme. The intent was to encourage both established churches and migrant churches to overcome fear and distrust of people different from themselves and to create inclusive and welcoming communities.
For more details see the WCC website.
