The Worldwide Church

The Role of the Worldwide Church

  • The Worldwide Church, also known as the Universal Church, refers to the total body of believers in Christ around the globe.
  • The Church aims to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith through mission and evangelism.

Mission

  • Mission involves spreading the Christian message, with the aim of converting people to Christianity or strengthening the faith of existing believers. This is seen as following Jesus’ instruction to his followers in The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).
  • It may involve preaching, personal witnessing, social action, humanitarian aid or through media and the arts.

Evangelism

  • Evangelism is the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness. Christians who specialise in evangelism are often called evangelists, whether they are in their home communities or living as missionaries in the field.
  • Many Christians consider spreading the gospel a fundamental part of their faith.

Persecution

  • Persecution of Christians happens in some parts of the world, where freedoms of religion and belief are not respected.
  • The Church and other organisations work towards highlighting these issues and providing support for the persecuted.

Ecumenical Movements

  • The oecumenical movement is an initiative among Christian groups to promote unity among different Christian denominations and traditions.
  • The Church is part of various oecumenical organisations that aim to foster unity, such as the World Council of Churches.

Reconciliation

  • The Church works towards the reconciliation of individuals and communities in conflict, providing relief and promoting peaceful relations.
  • It follows the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, where he stated “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Development

  • The Church often works to promote social and economic development in the communities they serve, particularly in developing countries.
  • Christian charities, like Christian Aid, work extensively towards reducing poverty, providing education and healthcare, and responding to disasters.