Organized by the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs on 18-22 May 2025 in Athens, the “Life and Work” centenary conference made strong connections to the Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work in Stockholm in 1925 and the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea in 325.
As Vice-Moderator of the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia commented on the relationship between the Nicaea Council and the way in which the Church views social service. He cautioned against theological reductionism, highlighting the importance of God’s incarnation into the world. “The Church does not only make the world a better place as humanitarian and philanthropic organizations can do, but it also transforms the world by bringing the humans into the Body of Christ—which is the Church,” he said.
Looking back at the conference in Stockholm in 1925, the centenary conference in Athens took a courageous look forward at the many serious global issues under consideration by Churches today, reminding that “The time for God’s peace is now”.
