wfn.org | LWI 2009-075 Minority Churches Seek Global Lutheran Solidarity in Climate Change Response

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Minority Churches Seek Global Lutheran Solidarity in Climate
Change Response
Significant Impact on Mission and Evangelism Work in Asia 

BANGKOK; Thailand/GENEVA, 9 December 2009 (LWI) -
Representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) member
churches in Asia are asking the LWF, its ecumenical and
interfaith partners to provide and share appropriate resources
and expertise to enable churches respond effectively to the issue
of climate change.

Whether it is catastrophic flooding or drought, deforestation or
mining, the social, economic and political problems emanating
from climate change are interrelated, stated the report of a
group discussion on this topic during the Asia Pre-Assembly
Consultation (APAC), taking place 6-9 December in Bangkok,
Thailand. 

The group members underlined that with a few exceptions,
churches in the region are in a minority situation, and therefore
"so small and so powerless" to take concerted effort in
effectively responding to the impact of climate change. They
emphasized "the need to start where we are, with the empowerment
of families, women and children." 

While "it is difficult to know where to start in solving them,
we all realize that these problems affect not only our countries
and the lives of our citizens, but also the work of our churches
in evangelism and mission," stated the group’s report.

Participants in the APAC, held in conjunction with the Asia
Church Leadership Consultation (ACLC), include bishops and
presidents of the region's churches, LWF Council members and
advisers, women and youth representatives, mission partners,
ecumenical guests and LWF staff. Deliberations are guided by the
LWF Eleventh Assembly theme, "Give Us Today Our Daily Bread."

During their group discussion, members had recounted stories
from their respective contexts that portrayed "human sin in its
many forms - greed, corruption, deception and outright theft." In
Papua New Guinea people feel helpless against the onslaught of
multinational companies robbing them of their natural resources -
their birthright. In India and Bangladesh, the adverse effects of
climate change on people's lives and livelihoods are
immeasurable, whereas people in Japan and Hong Kong are
confronted with "the poverty of the human spirit in the face of
yesterday’s economic success that has gone sour today." 

Suggestions in the plenary discussion on the group's report
underlined the need to seek solutions and synergies in
collaboration with the existing LWF structures such as the LWF
Council and Lutheran Council in Asia - LUCAS, and ecumenical
networks. 

It was underlined that the quest for justice with respect to
climate change was urgent, calling for clear, biblical thinking
that is sensitive to local settings and needs. "Work for the
dignity, justice, and peace of our creation should start now,"
remarked LWF Council member Rev. Dr Jubil R. Hutauruk from the
Protestant Christian Batak Church, Indonesia. (455 words)

Further information about the LWF Council actions on climate
change is available at: www.lutheranworld.org 

Read more about the Pre-Assemblies under the "Journey" section
of the LWF Assembly Web site at: www.lwf-assembly.org 

>*      *      *

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Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF
currently has 140 member churches in 79 countries all over the
world, with a total membership of 68.9 million. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as
ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in
Geneva, Switzerland.)

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