World Council of Churches Honours Life of Former General Secretary Philip Potter

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-632
1987 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-117

Eugene L. Stockwell is Director of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where his father was studying theology, and was raised from the age of three in Argentina, where his father served as president of Union Theological Seminary in Buenos Aires. As a young man Stockwell studied and practiced law before deciding to enter Union Theological Seminary (New York) and the ministry. He and his wife worked as United Methodist missionaries for ten years in Uruguay, from 1952 to 1962. This was followed by two years as Latin American Secretary of the Methodist Board of Missions and then eight years as Assistant General Secretary for Program Administration. In 1972 Stockwell became Associate General Secretary for Overseas Ministries of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. He took up his present responsibilities in Geneva in 1984. While visiting at the Overseas Ministries Study Center recently, Stockwell shared some of his thoughts on developments and directions in world mission with Editor Gerald H. Anderson and Research Assistant Robert T. Coote of the International Bulletin.


2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Michael Goheen

AbstractIn this article, Michael W. Goheen summarizes and evaluates a debate between ecumenical pioneer Lesslie Newbigin and former WCC general secretary Konrad Raiser. Raiser exemplifies a trinitarian approach to ecumenism and mission that recognizes the universal presence of the Holy Spirit among all peoples and religions, and so would cease to have a Christocentric focus. For Newbigin, while a trinitarian approach to ecumenism and mission is of paramount importance, an abandonment of the centrality and universality of Jesus Christ is something that cannot be abandoned. In the end, says Goheen, the differences between Raiser and Newbigin are differences revolving around the meaning of Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross.


Author(s):  
Jurjen A. Zeilstra

This chapter explores the central role Visser ’t Hooft played in the World Council from 1948 to 1966, showing how his vision and style influenced the direction the World Council took in dealing with issues like syncretism. We see the strong practical bent of the World Council in topics like the Cold War and international crises such as South Africa, Cuba and Cyprus. The chapter traces how Visser ’t Hooft involved the missionary nature of the church at every turn. We also learn how the revival he hoped for did not materialise. Instead, after 1960, secularisation grew, and Visser ’t Hooft’s ability to appeal to younger generations began to wane.


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