ACT Alliance, the World Council of Churches, and us
Professor Dr. Michel Abs
Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
A few days ago, the world witnessed an outstanding ecumenical, humanitarian, developmental, and cultural event: the convening of the Fourth General Assembly of the ACT Alliance, whose name in Arabic means "Action of Churches Together."
The ACT Alliance and the World Council of Churches (WCC) constitute the two international poles of the ecumenical movement in the world. While the former includes in its membership over 350 churches embracing ecumenism, the latter comprises more than 150 ecumenical development agencies affiliated with these churches.
These two institutions are among the world's most committed and concerned organizations regarding humanitarian issues—from human rights to development, including the defense of all just causes globally. Their history is adorned with achievements on all levels, making them exemplary models for institutions working in this field. Moreover, the positions of both institutions on all complex humanitarian issues are a source of pride for the member churches.
We, at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), are considered a regional ecumenical organization, as we cover a specific area and not the whole world like the ACT Alliance and the World Council of Churches, and our churches are members of these two institutions.
It is necessary to point out here that our Middle Eastern council has a close relationship with these two international institutions, and the coordination between us is excellent. Our relations are characterized by love and respect. We are in constant partnership with them due to the membership of our churches and the bond that has united us since the establishment.
But the relationship between us is not only institutional but also based on faith, due to our shared Christian faith and our ecumenical connection that nothing can shake.
Of course, there are interests being secured for the region, whether in terms of project funding, providing networking and communications, or supplying human competencies. But the actual bond remains the faith-based connection that makes us feel and act as one. The material dimension exists but is a translation of the spiritual faith-based bond that unites us.
It is reassuring to feel that you are part of a extensive family—the ecumenical family—active in the international community, as well as in the communities to which the member churches and institutions belong. You feel that you belong to a great cause: unifying the Lord's church and serving those for whom He incarnated.
At the Fourth General Assembly of the ACT Alliance, held in Indonesia between 28/10 and 01/11, 2024, the Middle East Council of Churches was present with all its capabilities through colleagues who are members of the MECC team, members of the MECC’s committees, and through the MECC member churches. One of the senior staff of the MECC was elected as a member of the Governing Board of the ACT Alliance, which is an indicator of the close relationship that binds the MECC with both institutions, ACT Alliance and WCC, based on the credibility it enjoys in global ecumenical circles, as well as transparency and trust in dealing with these two institutions.
The council's delegates participated in all the activities carried out during this event—from the Youth Assembly to the General Assembly of the ACT Alliance and all other activities. Our delegate to the Youth Assembly, who is from the MECC’s Communication Department, conducted several interviews, especially with our dear friends Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, General Secretary of the ACT Alliance, and Rev. Prof. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, who are both excellent leaders of their institutions, and others. These interviews are currently being edited in preparation for publication.
The positive interaction between the ACT Alliance, the World Council of Churches, and regional ecumenical councils—including the MECC—clearly demonstrates how cohesive the ecumenical movement is around the world and how its values and aspirations are becoming more firmly established day by day, indicating Christians' longing for unity in witnessing to the Lord's salvation message. Advanced indicators of partnership and unity have at times become clear phenomena in the trajectory of ecumenism worldwide, much deeper than indicators of discord or division. Here, we must record in letters of light the role of these two blessed international institutions in this long-term path that requires much sacrifice and patience.
The Middle East Council of Churches continues its journey, which has now reached its fiftieth year, in coordination with these two international institutions, which are considered milestones in modern Christian history. Ecumenism continues to pose its challenge to those who wish to delve into the Lord's message through division or fragmentation, for He instructed us: "That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17:21), and as the Apostle Paul emphasized in his letter to the Corinthians: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10).
The state that humanity has reached today, the regression to which the civilization of modernity has descended, and the troubled state of modern man, constitute sufficient reasons for us to unite in a relentless defense of the fate of humankind. For the message of the incarnate Lord, His path, and His values are the only means to save a humanity lost in the abysses of misguidance.
The challenge is great, but the will of the faithful remains stronger.