World Evangelical Alliance
| World Evangelical Alliance | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Evangelicalism |
| Leader | Efraim Tendero, Secretary-General |
| Associations | 129 national evangelical alliances |
| Region | Worldwide |
| Headquarters | New York, USA |
| Origin | 1846 |
| Members | 600 million |
| Official website | worldea.org |
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is a global organization of churches evangelical Christian founded in 1846 in London, England. It brings together 129 national alliances of churches, 104 member associations and 6 boards. It is the largest international organization of evangelical churches. It is headquartered in New York, USA.
Contents
History[edit]
The World Evangelical Alliance is formed in London, England with 10 countries in 1846.[1] Their shared vision was: "A new thing in church history, a definite organization for the expression of unity amongst Christian individuals belonging to different churches." In 1951, 21 countries, under the leadership of American theologians Harold Ockenga and J. Elwin Wright, participate in the rebirth of the WEA who becomes the World Evangelical Community.[2] In 2001, after the General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, WEC becomes the World Evangelical Alliance.[3] In 2005, the WEA is experiencing a collegiate management under the leadership of its Canadian leader, Geoff Tunnicliffe. Offices are opened in Vancouver, Canada (Leadership), San Francisco (Information Technology), Washington (Publications), and Geneva (International Relations). In 2010, the central office is in New York, USA [4]
Leadership[edit]
The EMEA is headed by a Secretary-General whose function is to administer and represent the Alliance. Efraim Tendero, born in Philippines, is the Secretary-General since March 1, 2015.[5][6]
List of former leaders[edit]
This list contains the former leaders of the MEA since 1951.[7]
- Roy Cattell (England) and J. Elwin Wright (USA), co-secretaries, (1951-1953)
- A.J. Dain (England) and J. Elwin Wright (USA), co-secretaries, (1953-1958)
- Fred Ferris (USA), International Secretary, USA, (1958-1962)
- Gilbert Kirby (England), International Secretary, (1962-1966)
- Dennis Clark (Canada), International Secretary, (1966-1970)
- Gordon Landreth (England), interim International Secretary, (1970-1971)
- Clyde Taylor (USA), International Secretary, (1971-1975)
- Waldron Scott, (USA) General Secretary, (1975-1980)
- Wade Coggins, (USA) Interim General Secretary, (1981)
- David M. Howard, International Director (1982-1992)
- Agustin Vencer, International Director (1992-2001)
- Gary Edmonds, Secretary General (2002-2004)
- Geoff Tunnicliffe, Secretary General (2005–2014)
Commissions[edit]
In 1974, the WEA creates 6 commissions to better achieve its mandates. [8]
- Theological Commission
Function: Reflect on issues of evangelical theology, and the important issues concerning the churches and society in the world.[9]
- Missions Commission
Function: Coordinate activities of evangelism and Christian humanitarian.[10][11]
- Religious Liberty Commission
Function: Monitor religious freedom in the world and participate in the defense of persecuted Christians. In the United Nations, the Commission shall field observation reports.[12]
- Women's Commission
Function: Identify and address the special needs of women. The commission works with advocacy organizations women's rights.[13]
- Youth Commission
Function: Equipping children for their development and protect their rights.[14]
- IT Commission
Function: Sharing knowledge on Information technology and promote the quality of Christian websites.[15]
Membership[edit]
The World Evangelical Alliance embraces member-bodies whose identity and vocation are rooted in historic biblical Christianity. WEA affirms and seeks the biblical unity of Christ's body, the Church, celebrating the diversity of practices and theological emphases consistent with the WEA Statement of Faith, recognizing the existing dynamic tension between unity and diversity.
There are four types of membership, each with its distinct qualifications and responsibilities:
- Regional & National Alliances are regional evangelical fellowships and their national fellowships/alliances.
- Global Partners are independently incorporated organizations which work in harmony with WEA structures and serving the WEA constituency.
- Associate Members are independently incorporated organizations with their own specific ministries and accountability, an international scope of ministry, and the capacity and authority to serve in and beyond the WEA community.
- Church Networks & Denominations are networks of churches (located in one or a number of countries), in agreement with the Statement of Faith and objectives of the World Evangelical Alliance.
General Assemblies[edit]
A General Assembly takes place every six years in a country that differs depending on the year.[16] It is a time of healing and gathering for national alliances and associations.[17] It allows the execution of administrative procedures and the training of leaders of each country. Last General Assembly to be held in 2014 in Seoul in South Korea, but was postponed to a later date.[18]
- 1951 Amsterdam (Woudschoten), Netherlands, August 4–11
- 1953 Clarens, Switzerland, July 27–31
- 1956 Rhode Island, USA, August 27–31
- 1962 Hong Kong, China April 25-May 2
- 1968 Lausanne, Switzerland, May 4–10
- 1974 Château d'Oex, Switzerland, July 25–29
- 1980 London (Hoddesdon) England, March 24–28
- 1986 Singapore, June 23–27
- 1992 Manila, Philippines, June 21–26
- 1997 Abbotsford, Canada, May 8–15
- 2001 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 4–10
- 2008 Pattaya, Thailand, October 25–30
Global engagements[edit]
Development[edit]
The WEA participates in the fight against poverty. It is the origin of Micah Challenge, an initiative to educate Christians and promote decision making among leaders [19][20]
Ecumenical Participation[edit]
On June 5, 2010, Geoff Tunnicliffe, the International Director of the WEA, appeared alongside the leaders of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in a press conference, entitled “Christian unity today” at the Edinburgh 2010 Conference. The gathering marked the centenary of the 1910 World Mission Conference.[21] On Sunday 17 October 2010, Olav Fykse Tveit, the general secretary of the WCC gave an invited address to the 3rd Lausanne Conference.[22] In the address he said, "we are called to participate in the one mission of God".[22] The World Evangelical Alliance, Geoff Tunnicliffe, the International Director and other WEA leaders were involved at each level in the development of the programme, and helped choose its participants.[23] On 22 January 2015, the WCC and WEA announced plans for closer cooperation, worship and witness.[24][25]
Criticism[edit]
Neglect of the suffering church in China[edit]
The WEA was criticised for its positive assessment of the situation of the churches in China, after meeting with government approved representatives. China Aid and Church in Chains claimed, "There are many Christians in China who are not free to worship, do not have Bibles of their own and are not free to organise their own affairs and this situation is not mentioned in your press release... our concern is that you have turned your back on these brothers and sisters."[26][27] One exemplary case of abuse that of the imprisoned Uyghur Christian, Alimujiang Yimiti, was raised in the criticism, the WEA did not respond in detail.[26][27]
References[edit]
- ^ WEA, Introduction WEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ Sébastien Fath, Du ghetto au réseau. Le protestantisme évangélique en France, 1800-2005, Édition Labor et Fides, France, 2005, page 161
- ^ Donald M. Lewis, Richard V. Pierard, Global Evangelicalism: Theology, History & Culture in Regional Perspective, InterVarsity Press, USA, 2014, page 114
- ^ WEA, WEA at the United Nations, WEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ Anugrah Kumar, World Evangelical Alliance Inaugurates Filipino Bishop Efraim Tendero as New Secretary General Newspaper The Christian Post, USA, February 21, 2015
- ^ Manila Times, Bishop Tendero voted new WEA head, Newspaper Manila Times, Philippines, January 26, 2015
- ^ WEA, History, WEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ Brian Stiller, Evangelicals Around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st Century, Thomas Nelson Publishing, USA, 2015, page 214
- ^ WEA, Introduction, WEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ WEA, Who We Are WEA's website, USA Accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ Richard Tiplady, One World Or Many?: The Impact of Globalisation on Mission, William Carey Library, USA, 2003, page 6
- ^ WEA, Introduction, WEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ WEA, Introduction, WEA's website, USA, consulted August 11, 2015
- ^ WEA, Introduction Official WebWEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ WEA, Introduction, WEA's website, USA, accessed August 11, 2015
- ^ Brian Stiller, Evangelicals Around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st Century, Thomas Nelson Publishing, USA, 2015, page 213
- ^ Patrice de Plunkett, ""Les évangéliques à la conquête du monde", Editions Perrin, France, 2009, page 93
- ^ WEA, WEA Announces Postponement of Upcoming General Assembly, WEA's website, USA, 11 February 2014
- ^ Bruce Ellis Benson, Peter Goodwin Heltzel, Evangelicals and Empire: Christian Political Alternatives to the Status Quo, Brazos Press , USA, 2008, page 76
- ^ Sherrie Steiner, Religious Soft Power as Accountability Mechanism for Power in World Politics, SAGE Open, 5/1994 (n° 1430-1431), USA, November 2, 2011, page 6
- ^ "Ecumenism helps Catholics move beyond a 'theology of exclusion'". Ekklesia website. 2010-06-10. Archived from the original on 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2015-02-24.
- ^ a b "Greetings to the 3rd Lausanne Congress for World Evangelization". World Council of Churches website. 2010-10-17. Archived from the original on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
- ^ "Cape Town 2010 FAQS". Lausanne Cape Town Conference 2010. 2011. Archived from the original on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
- ^ "WEA and WCC representatives explore possibilities of working together". World Council of Churches website. 2015-01-22. Archived from the original on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
- ^ "WEA and WCC Representatives Explore Possibilities of Working Together". WEA website. 2015-01-22. Archived from the original on 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
- ^ a b "CHINA: Growing Criticism of WEA "misleading" statement". Church in Chains. 2010-01-08. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
- ^ a b "ChinaAid Responds to World Evangelical Alliance's Statement on their Visit to China". ChinaAid website. 2009-12-20. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
External links[edit]
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