New York, NY – February 11, 2014
It is with reluctance that the International Council of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) announces the postponement of its General Assembly, planned for Seoul, South Korea, October 2014. The decision centered on recent internal divisions among the evangelical community and challenges they pose for holding an Assembly there at this time.
Four years ago when the International Council chose to hold the WEA's next General Assembly there, it was with hope to encourage unity among Korean evangelical churches and within the global body of Christ.
A broad grouping of evangelical Korean churches, led by the Christian Council of Korea (CCK), began working together in the planning of the Assembly. As well, the WEA initiated program development and operational start up with hopes that the Assembly would be a valuable moment for the developing of alliances worldwide and the witness of the Church in unity.
However the Council has decided it is seemingly untenable for the Assembly to be hosted there this year, and with CCK it was mutually agreed that it would be postponed.
The role of a General Assembly, held every six years, is to hear what the Spirit is saying to His Church, to convene the 129 national alliances and fellowships for corporate business and for training in national leadership. As well, the Assembly is a time and place where WEA's commissions and global partners gather to find ways of working together and to consult in developing plans for specific and creative initiatives.
It is to be noted that this postponement will not deter these groups from continuing in their planning. Initiatives intended to be worked on at the Assembly will continue in other forums, such as in regional and national meetings and meetings of the WEA commissions, building up to the hosting of the Assembly, date and location to be announced in coming months.
The WEA International Council is grateful for the important and energetic vision of the Church in South Korea, both within the country and in its mission initiatives worldwide. The Council also prays for a new coming together of evangelical leadership, nurturing the Church in its life and witness, centered in Jesus Christ.
The Council will continue to consult in its planning for the next General Assembly.
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Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving and representing more than 600 million evangelicals. Launched in 1846 to unite evangelicals worldwide, the WEA continues to be a dynamic movement with 7 regional and 129 national Evangelical Alliances, and over 150 member organizations. WEA's mission is to speak as a trusted voice, to equip members and leaders for global impact and to connect its members and others for common action in the furtherance of God’s reign. For more info e-mail at [email protected] or go to Worldea.org.
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