Christian leaders from around the world are gearing up to join Global Christian Forum’s gathering in Bogota, Colombia in 2018.
Global Christian Forum (GCF) is an assembly of Christian churches and organizations that aims to unite and strengthen the faith. The global gathering will be held from April 23 to 28, with a theme “Let mutual love continue,” Ecumenical News reports.
Rev. Larry Miller, secretary of GCF, said, “The GCF is a ‘forum,’ a place for leaders from across the spectrum of Christianity globally to meet for inspiration and insight on matters of common interest as they face the future together.”
“The gathering will be ‘relational, testimonial, and missional’ in nature and outcome, and will involve careful conversation, listening, and prayer as we put directly into practice with one another the theme of the gathering, let mutual love continue.” said Rev. Miller.
At least six streams of world Christianity are expected to join the conference. The GCF said the Forum is composed of equal number of representatives from “older” churches (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant), and “younger” ones (Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Independent).
The four-day conference will discuss developments in the churches since its last gathering in Indonesia in 2011.
“The gathering will be ‘relational, testimonial, and missional’ in nature and outcome, and will involve careful conversation, listening, and prayer as we put directly into practice with one another the theme of the gathering, let mutual love continue.” said Rev. Miller.
In May, leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF), World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), and the Vatican’s officials met in Bossey, Switzerland. In the historic meeting, church leaders discussed how to unite Christians around the world and foster strong bonds among the different Christian churches, Ecupatria.org reports.
“Our time at Bossey has provided an excellent opportunity to further understand one another and the vital role the GCF has, as we move into the future together,” said Dr. David Wells, vice-chair of the Pentecostal World Fellowship.
The meeting in Bossey served as a platform to prepare for next year’s global gathering. The issues discussed by the 25 participants included the role and structure of GCF as a forum, the methodology for theological reflection, and how to include mega churches and migrant churches in the work of GCF.
Sources:
Ecumenicalnewscom. (2017). Ecumenicalnewscom. http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/bogota-to-host-2018-global-christian-forum-gathering/60390.htm
Ecupatriaorg. (2017). Ecumenical Patriarchate Permanent Delegation to the World Council of Churches. http://www.ecupatria.org/2017/05/29/historic-meeting-to-support-the-global-christian-forum/