wfn.org | Basel Mission examines challenges and perspectives

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

October 22, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Switzerland: Basel Mission examines challenges and perspectives

Basel, Switzerland.  (ALC/APD)   Concerned about the human  
rights situation in the world, the Common Planning Council (CPC) 
of the Brotherhood of the Mission of Basel criticised globalisation 
and the unjust economic order and called for dialogue with 
Pentecostal Churches. 

Sixteen regional representatives from Africa, Asia, Latin America 
and Europe attended the CPC meeting held in Basel, Switzerland 
from Sep 23-Oct 1. 

The aim of the meeting was to report on their respective 
activities and adopt recommendations for common future action. 
The meeting was closed with a worship service in Zurich. 

Delegates expressed concern and fear about human rights 
violations and the violence that is growing in many countries, 
such as the Congo, Sudan, Indonesia, and East Timor. 

They also expressed their concern about the globalisation 
process that is stripping a growing number of people of their 
hope for a dignified future. 

This loss of hope is linked to an unjust world order. CPC 
delegates expressed concern about the terrible impact of this 
unjust economic order on individuals, families and communities 
and called on their Churches to act against the consequences of 
globalisation. 

They also called on Churches linked to the Basel Mission to 
support movements such as the Jubilee 2000 movement, that is 
lobbying for debt relief for poor nations. 

The CPC stated that churches confront the challenge of 
fundamentalism, of neo-Pentecostal Churches and new religious 
movements. They propose a inter-Church dialogue with these 
movements in order to find new ways to share the Gospel 
without confronting local culture. 

In the organisational aspect they called on Churches linked to the
Brotherhood of the Basel Mission to send their comments and 
proposals about the restructuring project called "Mission in 
Common" and the "Guidelines for Mission." (This article is a
contribution of the  Latin American and Caribbean Communication 
Agency)