"Churches are called to participate in the struggle of the poor in addressing poverty and to pursue alternatives that are just. …In partnership with their national and international diaconal organizations, churches need to become better advocates for those living in poverty, misery and oppression. The future lies in networking with and among those affected by poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS, and in organizing advocacy at national and international levels, including through our connections as a communion of churches. Churches should more boldly raise their public voice to advocate for global mechanisms to protect the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the vulnerable in all societies."
This was one of the messages in a statement agreed upon by more than 80 delegates from Lutheran churches, partner organizations, social service agencies and institutions worldwide at the closing of a Lutheran World Federation (LWF) consultation: "Prophetic Diakonia—For the Healing of the World," in Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants included staff from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Lutheran World Relief.
The consultation, held November 3-7, 2002, dealt with the understanding of diakonia—church social service—in its national and international context. The consultation participants identified poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS as the three major issues that today challenge churches "to move into more prophetic expressions of diakonia." In focusing on these three issues, the consultation's statement—published in the form of an epistle - echoed the emphases of the Stand With Africa campaign: banishing hunger, building peace, and withstanding AIDS. The letter stressed that diakonia is more than social service—it always includes social change.
The Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs and the Lutheran World Relief Office of Public Policy commend the consultation's epistle to you for reflection on the ministry of advocacy and the importance of addressing the root causes of poverty, violence and HIV/AIDS. Upcoming issues of "Africa Advocacy" and other Stand With Africa advocacy updates will provide specific advocacy suggestions related to the 108th Congress and its work concerning Africa. Also, please visit LWR's Stand With Africa Main Page and the Lutheran Office for Governmental Affairs' website for more information.
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