WCC News: New book challenges Christian service tradition

The World Council of Churches (WCC) hosted the launch of "Decolonizing Diakonia: From Servanthood to Companionship" by Rev. Prof. Dr Hyuk Cho and the late Rev. Junghee Park. This theological work challenges traditional understandings of Christian service and proposes a fundamental shift toward mutual partnership in God's mission. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC 21 October 2025 Published by Peter Lang, the book critiques how servanthood models can perpetuate colonial power dynamics and gender inequality. The authors advocate for "companionship" as a transformative approach to diakonia – the church's ministry of service and justice. "Traditional servanthood theology too often perpetuates power over," Rev. Prof. Dr Cho explained during the launch at the Ecumenical Centre. "It subtly enshrines the dynamic of the powerful few and risks sliding into power over." As faith communities worldwide address environmental crisis, social inequality, and calls for decolonisation, the authors argue that diakonia should be understood not as charitable work, but as participation in God's mission through shared responsibility and mutual transformation. Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC Contemporary justice movements find theological foundation This shift from servanthood to companionship speaks directly to contemporary social justice and environmental movements. Launch speakers highlighted how the theological framework applies to current global challenges. Dr Joycia Thorat from the Methodist Church of India, a member of the WCC Ecumenical Diakonia Reference Group, explained the practical implications: "In contexts like India, this means interfaith and intercultural solidarity, walking with people of other faiths and convictions in the pursuit of justice and peace." Traditional service models have often excluded marginalised voices, Rev. Prof. Dr Cho noted. He cited biblical examples, showing how conventional readings of the feeding of 5,000 exclude the boy and his mother who provided the lunch, despite their central role in the miracle. "The boy and the mother were not included in 5,000 people," Rev. Prof. Dr Cho observed. "How can we really understand this Bible? This is an outcry from margins." Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC Feminist and decolonial breakthrough in theology The publication represents significant development in Christian theology by integrating feminist, post-colonial, and intercultural perspectives. Cho and Park demonstrate how Eurocentric and patriarchal interpretations of biblical texts have shaped problematic understandings of Christian service. "Feminist critique makes this clear. If women's domestic labour becomes a metaphor for discipleship, then real women's voices and leadership are sidelined," the authors argue. Rev. Cibele Kuss from the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil emphasised the challenge of changing deeply embedded language patterns. "Colonialism is very comfortable. It's a very comfortable place of privilege for white people," she observed during the panel discussion. The theological framework builds on Catherine Hockins' missiology of companionship, which emerged from her experience living in "between spaces" of cultural encounter between China and Canada. Bridge-building for environmental justice The launch timing coincides with the WCC's Decade for Environmental Justice Action, demonstrating practical applications of companionship theology. Environmental challenges require working beyond traditional church boundaries, Rev. Prof. Dr Cho noted. "This action cannot be done by only church folks. We should work with environmentalists, humanists, secularists, and church folks together," he explained. Rev. Jørgen Thomsen from Denmark, representing the Lutheran Church and Dan Church Aid, praised the interdisciplinary approach. The publication helps churches move "radically from charity thinking to justice thinking." Photo: Grégoire de Fombelle/WCC Global dialogue shapes future directions The launch brought together voices from Brazil, Kenya, Denmark, India, and other regions, reflecting the global scope of the diakonia conversation. This builds on the WCC and ACT Alliance's 2022 publication "Called to Transformation," which introduced concepts of diakonia as bridge-building. Gloria Pua Ulloa, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Diakonia and Sustainable Development, welcomed participants "to reflect on these shifts, the challenges of creating a more justice-oriented model of diakonia, and how companionship can be embodied in our churches and communities today." The theological framework challenges churches to move from "power over" approaches toward "power with" models that centre shared agency and mutual transformation. This shift affects how faith-based organisations approach development work, interfaith dialogue, and environmental action. Implementation questions emerged during discussion. Rev. Prof. Dr Cho acknowledged these challenges whilst emphasising that beginning the conversation represents significant progress. Drawing on a Korean saying, he noted: "Starting is half done." The author concluded with a challenge for churches worldwide: "How might we work with rather than serve for? Where can we relinquish the need to help and instead become companions in God's ongoing mission?" WCC to launch book that reimagines diakonia as companionship WCC Ecumenical Diakonia and Sustainable Development programme Called to Transformation: Ecumenical Diakonia WCC Decade for Environmental Justice Action WCC Book Launch: Decolonizing Diakonia: From Servanthood to Companionship See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland