Action speaks louder than words!?

“Does our diaconic activity point others towards its foundation - our christian faith? Is it enough, just to do good?”

Online seminar on 24 May 2025 from 4 pm (South African time) & 4 pm (German time).

German summary: Diese ELM-Seminarreihe beschäftigt sich mit der Zukunftsfähigkeit von Kirchen international. Gemeinsam mit Christ*innen aus der internationalen Ökumene suchen wir nach kreativen und hoffnungsbewegten Lösungen für typische Probleme unserer Kirchengemeinden. Die Konferenzsprache ist Englisch.

In many churches of the global north, two distinct areas of operation have developed, each on its own path of development mostly operating independent of one another with few overlapping areas of operation:
1.) the church attended by its members, offering a platform for growing spiritually, celebrating faith and Christian community and
2.) the diaconal institutions of churches, attended by those members of society needing assistance in diverse areas such as health care, social integration, care for the marginalized, the addicts, the convicts, etc. served by employees of church diaconic institutions which might or might not be active Christians and who are not expected to talk about their faith at their place of work.

How should church/Christian diaconic work look like? Is witnessing one’s faith through words allowed and expected of those active in this field or is this inappropriate and an abuse of the act of serving “the least amongst us”? (Matthew 25:40)

These and related questions will be discussed in the upcoming ELMinar.

We are grateful to again have identified speakers who will engage us on this topic:

Rev Ntuthuko Nkosi is currently parish pastor of the Durban South Parish of ELCSA (Southeastern Diocese). He is also founder of the „Siyafunda“ Project which assists less privileged schoolkids in eMlazi/ Durban/ South Africa.

Mr Bodo von Bodelschwingh works in the diaconical arm of the Church of Hanover in a program facilitating Youth vocational assistance for youth by preparing the less privileged young members of society to enter into vocational training on the way and thus becoming productive members of society.

The event will take place via Zoom. The participation link will be sent by email in advance.

Action speaks louder than words!?

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