Edinburgh 2010 - Closing Celebration

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The Closing Service celebrated the 100th anniversary of the historic 1910 World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh. Included in the service was a section that looked back over 100 years of Mission.  It reflected on the achievements and the developments that followed in missionary practice and understanding.  In 1910, the delegate contingent was predominately white and male.  Today, there were around three hundred delegates from across the denominations and traditions.  Discussions around what a delegate from 1910 would have made of the 2010 conference and vice versa revealed that those from 1910 would have been very surprised by the technology (AV aids and video streaming) while the question of trying to organise a conference in 1910 for over 1000 delegates without e-mail was a difficult one to answer!

Two of those attending the Centenary Celebrations were direct descendents of members of the 1910 Conference.  Mrs Eunice Mhin, the grand niece of Yun Ch'iho, the only Korean delegate in 1910, spoke about why he came to be at the World Missionary Conference in 1910.and the grandson of John Rangiah, India's first missionary was also present.

Prayers were led in several different languages and hymns originating from each continent were sung.  - An African Choir began the proceedings with music that had delegates on their feet, many swaying to the rhythmic sounds and an Indian dance group performed an inspiring interpretation of 'The Woman at the Well'. 

In his address to the delegates, the Archbishop asked "Where is the Church of Jesus Christ going?"  He added  "As Teachers and Leaders in God's mission, we ought to know." 

He said that worship and witness in that order and both in the power of the Holy Spirit are the two most vital callings of the Christian Church, the body of Christ. Dr John Sentamu said that too much of what the church does today is like "re-arranging the furniture when the house is on fire". 

"Reorganising the structures; arguing over words and phrases while humanity as a whole plunges suicidally into obscurity and meaninglessness and despair.

"And so often the Church's activities and energies appear to be totally irrelevant to the needs of the world today."

- He reminded those present that "As leaders in mission we must help our Churches by acting prophetically, speaking out for freedom against injustice. Our forebears have done so in the past against slavery and more recently against apartheid, world debt, and poverty. We must continue to speak out against injustice shown to asylum seekers and all in need.

"Also, at a time where we face unprecedented crisis in our economic systems, we need to speak prophetically about the need for fraternity, fellowship and community – how to build together, in a system based on respect of the individual, and care for each other in the community; and to speak prophetically about the need to turn away from the culture of self-absorbed individualism and rediscover the benefit of service to one another."

A 'Common Call' to renewed commitment was issued at the closing service. It is a call to delegates to witness to Christ and to work towards a common vision and it is outlined below:

Edinburgh 2010

COMMON CALL

As we gather for the centenary of the World Missionary Conference of Edinburgh 1910, we believe the church, as a sign and symbol of the reign of God, is called to witness to Christ today by sharing in God's mission of love through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

1. Trusting in the Triune God and with a renewed sense of urgency, we are called to incarnate and proclaim the good news of salvation, of forgiveness of sin, of life in abundance, and of liberation for all poor and oppressed. We are challenged to witness and evangelism in such a way that we are a living demonstration of the love, righteousness and justice that God intends for the whole world.

2. Remembering Christ's sacrifice on the Cross and his resurrection for the world's salvation, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to authentic dialogue, respectful engagement and humble witness among people of other faiths – and no faith – to the uniqueness of Christ. Our approach is marked with bold confidence in the gospel message; it builds friendship, seeks reconciliation and practices hospitality.

3. Knowing the Holy Spirit who blows over the world at will, reconnecting creation and bringing authentic life, we are called to become communities of compassion and healing, where young people are actively participating in mission, and women and men share power and responsibilities fairly, where there is a new zeal for justice, peace and the protection of the environment, and renewed liturgy reflecting the beauties of the Creator and creation.

4. Disturbed by the asymmetries and imbalances of power that divide and trouble us in church and world, we are called to repentance, to critical reflection on systems of power, and to accountable use of power structures. We are called to find practical ways to live as members of One Body in full awareness that God resists the proud, Christ welcomes and empowers the poor and afflicted, and the power of the Holy Spirit is manifested in our vulnerability.

5. Affirming the importance of the biblical foundations of our missional engagement and valuing the witness of the Apostles and martyrs, we are called to rejoice in the expressions of the gospel in many nations all over the world. We celebrate the renewal experienced through movements of migration and mission in all directions, the way all are equipped for mission by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and God's continual calling of children and young people to further the gospel.

6. Recognising the need to shape a new generation of leaders with authenticity for mission in a world of diversities in the twenty-first century, we are called to work together in new forms of theological education. Because we are all made in the image of God, these will draw on one another's unique charisms, challenge each other to grow in faith and understanding, share resources equitably worldwide, involve the entire human being and the whole family of God, and respect the wisdom of our elders while also fostering the participation of children.

7. Hearing the call of Jesus to make disciples of all people – poor, wealthy, marginalised, ignored, powerful, living with disability, young, and old – we are called as communities of faith to mission from everywhere to everywhere. In joy we hear the call to receive from one another in our witness by word and action, in streets, fields, offices, homes, and schools, offering reconciliation, showing love, demonstrating grace and speaking out truth.

8. Recalling Christ, the host at the banquet, and committed to that unity for which he lived and prayed, we are called to ongoing co-operation, to deal with controversial issues and to work towards a common vision. We are challenged to welcome one another in our diversity, affirm our membership through baptism in the One Body of Christ, and recognise our need for mutuality, partnership, collaboration and networking in mission, so that the world might believe.

9. Remembering Jesus' way of witness and service, we believe we are called by God to follow this way joyfully, inspired, anointed, sent and empowered by the Holy Spirit, and nurtured by Christian disciplines in community. As we look to Christ's coming in glory and judgment, we experience his presence with us in the Holy Spirit, and we invite all to join with us as we participate in God's transforming and reconciling mission of love to the whole creation.

- The Archbishop joined the Most Revd Mario Conti, Archbishop of Glasgow, Rosemary Dowsett from the World Evangelical Alliance and Jose Lopez Vasquez, a youth delegate at the press conference following the service. The panel were asked their perspective of World Mission.  The Archbishop replied that "any mission is to put love where love isn't".  He added that "God wants a world that has healed, a world where justice can play a major part... where the weak are being protected, loved and cared for".  The Archbishop explained that it is God's intention that "every human being should flourish and should be in an environment where they can flourish".

The panel were also asked "what are the areas in Mission that made them feel uncomfortable?" and "what are the assurances for Christians at the grass roots level that the churches and institutions are sincere about unity?"

Earlier in the day, the Archbishop preached at Sunday Worship which was broadcast from St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh on Radio 4.  The service was led by the Provost of St Mary's, the Very Revd Dr Graham Forbes.

The theme of the Archbishop's sermon was 'A Spiritual House' and he encouraged listeners to let themselves "be built into a spiritual house... to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ"

He began by reflecting on the tragedy of West Cumbria by saying "What that community needs now is space and careful rebuilding."

You can listen to the service for a limited time at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00skw07