German mission organisation invites churches to hold services on mission

To mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh the Association of Churches and Missions in South Western Germany (EMS) calls on local parishes to hold services on 6th June 2010 on the topic of mission. The missionary society has produced material that is also suitable for ecumenical services at Pentecost or in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which is frequently celebrated between Ascension Day and Pentecost.

The first World Missionary Conference was held in June 1910 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is considered to be the starting point of the modern ecumenical movement. Representatives of many different denominations and cultures will be attending an international centenary conference in Edinburgh from June 2nd to 6th 2010 with the title "Witnessing to Christ today". The EMS encourages prayer support for this international event.

The conference in Edinburgh will discuss results of an international study process dealing with themes including Foundations for Mission, Christian mission among other faiths, Mission and power, Mission spirituality and Youth and mission. Ulrike Schmidt-Hesse, Head of Department for Mission and Partnership in the EMS, will share experiences made in the programme “EMS Focus 2009-2012” entitled "Giving Account of our Hope – Christian Witness in a Pluralistic World”. The conference concludes with the Centenary Celebration on June 6th in the Assembly Hall, historic venue of the first conference, when the delegates will commit themselves to move forward together with future-oriented missionary concepts.

The EMS would like to encourage local churches and congregations to rediscover mission as a part of their Christian existence. In the words of Ulrike Schmidt-Hesse: "Just as they did 100 years ago, Christians continue today to bear witness to God’s passionate and transforming love to the world in Jesus Christ. At the same time, the understanding and practice of mission in the ecumenical movement has changed significantly. The centenary of the World Missionary Conference provides an opportunity to reflect on Mission today, taking international experiences into consideration”.

A substantial collection of texts in English for use in church services on the topic "Witnessing to Christ today" can be found in Internet under www.ems-online.org/1516.html. They include an introduction to the Edinburgh conferences 1910 and 2010, a draft worship service portraying three participants of the 1910 conference in words and pictures as well as prayers and three sermons or reflections on a text from 1 Peter written by church leaders from Indonesia, South Africa and Germany.

The Association of Churches and Missions in South Western Germany (Evangelisches Missionswerk in Südwestdeutschland e.V., EMS) is a fellowship of 23 churches and five mission societies located in ten different countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. It strives for worldwide mission and ecumenical cooperation.

Further Information:  Ulrike Schmidt-Hesse, Head of  Mission and Partnership Department    

Media Contact: Gerd Sander, Press Spokesman