WCC NEWS: As WCC prays, general secretary reflects “God is doing a new thing”

During a prayer on 23 January, World Council of Churches (WCC) staff and partners gathered to observe the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and to pray with the peoples and churches of Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay offered reflection during a prayer service on 23 January, when WCC staff and partners gathered to observe the sixth day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Photo: Gloria Koymans/WCC 23 January 2023 WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay offered reflections on how, as the WCC enters a new era of work, God’s plan will shine through.  “God is the initiator and executor of the new thing, not us,” said Pillay. “God is not only in control, better still, God is doing a new thing.” Absolutely no one can stop God, Pillay urged. “I don’t know about you but I have learnt this in my own personal life experiences that I can’t stop God from doing what God wants to do, and no one can stop God from doing what God wants me to do, if I am willing to follow him in obedience and trust,” he said. “Because you can’t stop God!” And that means it cannot be business as usual, Pillay added. “The tragedy is that God has done all of this for us but sometimes we just cannot see it,” he said. “We allow our personalities and problems to get in the way.” We are too busy with life and living, work and pleasure, Pillay continued. “Are you seeing, perceiving beyond your situation, beyond the pandemic, beyond your personal challenges, beyond the wicked problems in the world?” he asked. “The WCC faced some serious financial challenges at the end of last year and it still does, and it is really unfortunate that we had to take some very necessary actions to address the financial situation.” Yet, we cannot get stuck on our limitations and challenges, Pillay said. “Through the eyes of faith, we must see beyond that, we must see the new things that God is calling us into as an organisation,” he said. “We must join with God in reaching out to the world with the good news of salvation, the gospel of peace and love.” Pillay urged the WCC staff to work tirelessly against injustice, sin, oppression, evil systems, and wickedness in the world. “We must work for the good of the world and the glory of God so that God’s reign and presence would fill the whole world,” he said. “We are called to be the theatre of God’s glory as we reflect God’s love and presence to the world around us.” Pillay spoke of a new way and an alternative society. “Where are you?” he asked. “Are you actively working with God in God’s new thing or working against God?” Fr Rev. Dr Amphilohios Miltos, a priest from the Metropolis of Volos, led portions of the prayer. “Remember, Lord, the city in which we live, every city and country, and especially this week the countries of Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus and the faithful who dwell in them,” read part of the prayer. “Remember, Lord, the travellers, the sick, the suffering, and the captives, granting them protection and salvation.” Sermon by Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay: “See, I make all things new” Learn more about Week of Prayer for Christian Unity See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland