The WCC's 10th Assembly will be held from October 30 to November 8 in Busan, South Korea. Since I was going to be flying to Busan via Seoul anyway, I decided to go a few days early so that I would have a day or two in the capital before I headed south. I just booked my hotel room for those two nights in Seoul (exciting!!), so I have been thinking this week about South Korea itself and what it means to be going there for the assembly.
Logistically, I have a lot of time in planes and airports ahead of me. But I'm okay with that - who doesn't love a good airport?!? And I am looking forward to being on another continent - I have never been to Asia before.
I think it is also interesting, though, to think about what it means for the Church to meet in South Korea this year. The last assembly, seven years ago, was held in Porto Alegre, Brazil. So we are, quite literally, meeting on the other side of the world. This, for me, shows the spread both of Christianity and of the work of the WCC.
The WCC has also thought about what it means to have its assembly in this location.
I am keen to see what effect the meeting location will have on our discussions in Busan. Taking a look at previous assemblies (and seriously, you should take 15 minutes and watch this video - it is amazing to see the evolution of assemblies, of the make-up of the WCC, of the issues that are addressed), it is cool to see the strong Christian statements on current events that emerged. How will our presence on the Korean peninsula influence our discussions, for example, about unity?
Map from National Geographic
Logistically, I have a lot of time in planes and airports ahead of me. But I'm okay with that - who doesn't love a good airport?!? And I am looking forward to being on another continent - I have never been to Asia before.
I think it is also interesting, though, to think about what it means for the Church to meet in South Korea this year. The last assembly, seven years ago, was held in Porto Alegre, Brazil. So we are, quite literally, meeting on the other side of the world. This, for me, shows the spread both of Christianity and of the work of the WCC.
The WCC has also thought about what it means to have its assembly in this location.
I am keen to see what effect the meeting location will have on our discussions in Busan. Taking a look at previous assemblies (and seriously, you should take 15 minutes and watch this video - it is amazing to see the evolution of assemblies, of the make-up of the WCC, of the issues that are addressed), it is cool to see the strong Christian statements on current events that emerged. How will our presence on the Korean peninsula influence our discussions, for example, about unity?
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