Through the Dust in Addis

My two days of participation in this consultation in Addis Ababa had that distinctive LWR worldwide feel. Occasional blog commentator from our partner Lutheran World Federation, Department of World Service, Eberhard Hitzler—assisted by St. George (smile)—provided me with surefooted hospitality. Presenters from the Global South, the Americas, and Europe gave papers and engaged in edifying dialogue about diakonia—which means in biblical Greek, “service,” and could be literally translated, “through the dust.” A good bit of theological dust was kicked up and practical implications worked through in our lively formal and informal conversation.

Three participants from the USA were (from left to right): Megan Bradfield, the new Associate Director for International Development, Global Mission, ELCA; Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla, LWR board member and the Executive Director for Global Mission, ELCA; Ruth Reko, Director for Social Ministry Organizations, Church and Society, ELCA. You can see there wasn’t much actual dust where we met at Red Cross International Training Center.

I invite you to reflect on this energetic definition suggested by an insightful professor from Diakonhjemmet University College in Oslo, Norway, Stephanie Dietrich: “Diakonia is the social care of the Church. It is the acting out of the Gospel and is expressed through love for fellow human beings, inclusive community, care for creation and fighting for justice.” A few considered that definition over-reaching and attempting too much. A few others suggested it critically omits erstwhile notions of “humble service.” What’s your opinion?