The team of nine people from Ireland represented a wide cross-section of denominations, ages and backgrounds. Their blog is well worth a visit.
Several things stood out for me during yesterday's feedback time. First of all, I was struck by how few people attended the event, although many had been invited. Does this show a lack of interest for the international scene or no desire to consider the big picture? Or is it merely because people are too caught up in the day to day realities of life here in Ireland that there is no time for extra meetings?
The feedback itself showed one short meeting is insufficient to do justice to the vast wealth of information, thought-provoking discussions and moving testimonies that emerged from the congress. Even in a short meeting, there were a number of major challenges for us in Ireland.
"If there is any country in the world that needs the church to be challenged about living out the truth of the gospel, it is Ireland," shared Bishop Ken Clarke, one of the Irish delegates.
There were challenges to unity and partnership, to a deeper understanding of integral mission, to show greater concern for the persecuted church, to respect and value the church in the global south and to rediscover the irresistible mystery and wonder of Jesus.
But there were also serious questions and concerns about issues of inequality, corruption, greed, western-domination and the dangers of prosperity. An interesting follow-up blog by Dr Vinoth Ramachandra from Sri Lanka is well worth a visit to understand some of the issues from a non-Western perspective.
Watch out for more in the next edition of VOX magazine out in January. If you have not yet subscribed, why not take advantage of our special Christmas offer... just 10 Euro for THREE subscriptions!... Don't miss out on the chance to engage with other Christians in Ireland on issues of faith, life and reality for the 21st Century.
