Christian communities in contemporary contexts - Blog

Rev. Danilo Azuela Borlado is a Filipino ministering in Hong Kong. In the attached paper he reflects on the condition of vulnerability in which migrant workers find themselves in their host countries. In particular, he focuses on the experiences of the Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong, most of whom are women domestic helpers. The paper is posted here by kind permission of the author.

The East African group working on Theme 7 Christain Communities in Contemporary Contexts, led by Dr Philomena Mwaura, have submitted the report of their conference in Nairobi in May, which is attached here.

Dr Afe Adogame, Convener of Theme 7 Christian Communities in Contemporary Contexts, has sent the following report:

Theme 7 has its focus on the key themes: Poverty, suffering and marginalized communities - the challenge that it presents to the Church; HIV/AIDS, the Church and Mission; Christianity and socio-political action; Identity, Gender and Power; Globalization and the reproduction of hierarchies; the interface of migration, diaspora and ethnicity; Reverse mission dynamics.

The Study Group comprises 15-20 core members drawn from all continents and diverse Christian traditions. In investigating the above-mentioned themes we have sought to incorporate the views of academics, researchers, church leaders, religious NGOs, as well as policy makers. We are convinced that such a multidimensional perspective is necessary for critical thinking about how missions is articulated and practiced in contemporary contexts and also to seek new directions for engagement in Christian Mission in the 21st century.   

To date we have successfully held two consultations. A one-day Workshop was held on December 5, 2008 with 20 participants drawn mainly from the leadership of churches of immigrant/diaspora communities in Scotland. Papers/discussions at this seminar focused on ‘Challenges in Urban Mission’, ‘Understanding the Impact of Power Dynamics’; and ‘Gender and Youth’. The second, much larger consultation was a two-day international conference held on June 12 – 13, 2009. The over 35 participants were drawn from Africa, North America, Asia and Europe; with a paper presented in absentia on behalf of a contributor from Australia. The conference had its focus on the themes of Church and Reconciliation; Gender and Identity; Church and Poverty; Media, representation and Pentecostalism; Conducting Mission in Edinburgh; Church and Society; and Mission in Diaspora. Most paper contributions from these two events are being reviewed and prepared in an edited book volume. Besides, the study group is preparing a 10,000- word Summary Report for the Edinburgh 2010 Project. 

In the photo are participants in the conference on 'Christian communities in contemporary contexts' (Theme 7) at the Carmelite Center Karen, Nairobi on 26-28 May 2009.

As the culmination of a year-long study process, 46 church leaders, theologians, scholars, clergy and lay people attended the East African regional Edinburgh 2010 conference on 'Christian communities in contemporary contexts' (Theme 7) held at the Carmelite Center Karen, Nairobi on 26-28 May 2009. They came from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia and included Protestants, Catholics, Evangelicals and members of African Initiated Churches.

The study process entailed 'a critically honest evaluation' of Christian mission in East Africa and an assessment of the mission situation globally. The conference concluded that Christian mission is 'proactive engagement in empowering not disempowering; peace-building, healing and reconciling not causing conflict, injuring and segregating; loving and all inclusive not marginalising', and also involves proclamation and presence. Read the conference statement attached below.

Edinburgh City Mission was the venue on 12-13 June for a conference linked to Edinburgh 2010 Theme 7.  According to Janice McLean, who helped organise the event, it was 'stimulating - highlighting the diversity of disciples and many of the complexities that accompany our investigation of what it means to be Christian communities within contemporary contexts'. 

As well as a substantial chapter for the pre-conference publication, the study group, convened by Dr Afe Adogame of the University of Edinburgh and Dr Philomena Mwaura of Kenyatta University, intends to publish an edited volume in the Edinburgh 2010 series.

For the conference programme, see the attached Word file below.