WCC News: WCC to launch book that reimagines diakonia as companionship

The World Council of Churches (WCC) will host a hybrid book launch on 16 October, presenting "Decolonizing Diakonia: From Servanthood to Companionship" by Rev. Prof. Dr Hyuk Cho. The WCC Ecumenical Diakonia and Sustainable Development programme is hosting the event in collaboration with the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development and the Reference Group on Ecumenical Diakonia. It will bring together faith leaders and theologians to explore how diakonia can be reimagined as genuine mutual companionship in contemporary mission and service. Rev. Prof. Dr Hyuk Cho of the United Church of Canada. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 14 October 2025 "As churches worldwide navigate questions of power, partnership, and authentic solidarity in mission work, the conversation around decolonizing church practices has gained urgency. Traditional models of servanthood have come under scrutiny for perpetuating hierarchical relationships rather than fostering genuine mutuality," said Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace. Starting at 14:00 CEST, the 90-minute event will feature a presentation by the author addressing the question: How can diakonia be reimagined as companionship in today's world? The book challenges traditional models of servanthood and offers frameworks for relationships built on mutuality and authentic solidarity. Rev. Dr Hyuk Cho is associate professor and director of United Church Formation and Studies at Vancouver School of Theology in Canada. His work focuses on intercultural theology, decolonial mission practice, interfaith dialogue, and diakonia as companionship. An ordained minister of The United Church of Canada, he has been actively involved in ecumenical work through the World Council of Churches and other global networks. His recent publications include Relation without Relation: Intercultural Theology as Decolonizing Mission Practice (Peter Lang, 2025). Dr Manoj Kurian, director of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, will moderate the event. The programme includes respondents' reflections, dialogue between author and participants, and audience questions. After the programme, participants can network informally. Book signing will be available for those attending in person. The event is open to participants both in-person at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva (Jura, 2nd floor) and online via Zoom. Registration is requested for planning purposes. For more information and registrations, click here WCC Ecumenical Diakonia and Sustainable Development programme page 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