A handbook of councils and churches profiles of ecumenical relationships

(Iglesia Evangelica Metodista Argentina, IEMA)

Church Family: Methodist

Membership: 8,940

Congregations: 123

Pastors: 60

Member of: WCC (1971) - CLAI - FAIE - CEICA - WMC - CIEMAL

Periodical: El Estandarte Evangelico (in Spanish)

Website: www.iglesiametodista.org.ar

In 1825 the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York proposed the establishment of a mission in South America. In 1836 the general conference recommended that work be started in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. The mission in Buenos Aires flourished and soon a church building was put up. Until 1867 it was forbidden by local regulations to preach the gospel in Spanish. Once the prohibition was withdrawn, the work of the Methodist Church, followed in course of time by other denominations, spread throughout the coun­try. The missionary thrust went beyond the borders, and centres were opened in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. All these were later orga­nized into the South American annual conference. In 1884 the first secondary school was established in cooperation with the Waldensian Church. It became the nucleus of the first seminary which developed into the evangelical faculty of the­ology; by merger with the Lutheran seminary it became the Evangelical Institute for Higher Theological Studies (ISEDET). Social work in various forms was undertaken.

The work in Uruguay was organized separately from the River Plate annual conference. The work in Argentina continued with two conferences: one took the name of Argentina annual conference; the other, created a few years later, became the provisional annual conference of Patagonia. Both became a part of the Evan­gelical Methodist Church of Argentina in 1969.

This small church is recognized for its ecumenical spirit and social awareness. It has several educational centres and shares with seven other churches one of the best theological institutions of the continent. High on its agenda are evangeliza­tion and church growth, and the struggle for social justice and human rights. For these the development of a qualified leadership of lay persons has become a pre­requisite. Social and missionary work is undertaken among the indigenous popu­lation – in the north with the Tobas and in the south with the Mapuches. Nurs­ery services in Christian communities in various regions of the country are also built up. The church maintains strong relationships with Methodist churches throughout Latin America, in Europe and North America.

More recent challenges have been: to care for a population that is getting poorer; to review the ministerial model, giving a more important role to the laity; to search for new models at the institutional level which give visibility to the movement; the new spirituality and the role of the impoverished social classes.

United Evangelical Lutheran Church*

(Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida, IELU)

Church Family: Lutheran

Membership: 11,000

Congregations: 30

Pastors: 30 (5 women) Member of: WCC (1969) – CLAI – FAIE – LWF – CEICA

Website: www.ielu.org

The United Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is present in Argentina and Uruguay, is the outcome of mission work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the USA which began in 1919, after an initial visit in 1908. Lutheran immigrant churches in the area had been in existence since the second half of the 19th cen­tury. The aim of the American mission was to announce the gospel in Spanish, the local language. Subsequently the objectives of the church were to promote lay leadership training, to support the production of Lutheran literature in Spanish and the establishment of parish schools in connection with the Argentinian public school system. In 1948 the United Evangelical Lutheran Church became an autonomous church. In the 1950s, Hungarian, Latvian and Estonian refugees set­tled in the country and established congregations, some of which were incorpo­rated into the IELU.

The church is organized in five districts and has a synodal structure. The high­est authority is the assembly which elects an executive council. Besides the exist­ing congregations there are eight new missions. The severe economic and social problems of Argentina have had a strong impact on the life of the church. On the one hand the church was affected and experienced financial constraints. On the other, part of the constituency of the church has been falling into poverty and exclusion, raising new questions for the ministry of the IELU. Social work, in the perspective of diakonia, has become a high priority. The congregations and mis­sions are developing among the poor and destitute, and several actions aiming at strengthening their capacity to claim and promote their human rights have brought to light the consequences of more than a decade of neo-liberalism in Argentinian society. Traditionally the IELU served the middle classes of Argentina and Uruguay. Now it is reaching out to poor and marginalized com­munities. In the area of development, an important number of community pro­jects are carried out by the Joint Project office with the Evangelical Church of the River Plate. Work with women and youth is done through ad hoc secretariats. Spe­cial emphasis has been given to the improvement of social projects. Good experi­ences are being developed with the indigenous population (Mapuchos) in the south of Argentina, and with Bolivian immigrants in Buenos Aires. The church runs six schools, a home for people living with HIV/AIDS, a home for women, one for men, and four student hostels.

BOLIVIA

Population: 9,138,490

Surface area: 1,1 million sq.km

Capital: La Paz

GNI per capita: 900 US$

Classification: Developing economy

Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara

Religions: Christian 94%; Baha’i 3%; other 1%

Christianity: Catholics 7,917,000; Protestant 933,280; Orthodox 4,400;

Independent 310,750 (double affiliation)

Advanced societies which had existed for centuries around Lake Titicaca dis­appeared in the 13th century. The area was part of the Inca empire when it was

Latin America

conquered by Spain in the early 16th century. The Spanish exploited the silver mines, using the Indians as the work force. Bolivia achieved independence in 1825. It lost its sea-coast to Chile in the Pacific War (1879-83). Bolivia is the only country in the world with a majority of indigenous people, but the political and economic power has been for a long time in the hands of a small elite of European descent. From 1952-64, a progressive regime carried out land reform, nationalized the mines, and extended suffrage to the indigenous people and to women. In recent years, the Bolivian people have forcefully claimed their democratic rights, and demanded that the rich natural resources of the country (e.g. gas, oil) be used for their benefit. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The majority of the population depend on subsistence farming and the production of coca. The Catholic Church was established at the time of Spanish colonization, and is the majority church. Protestant missions arrived in the late 19th and in the 20th century. The Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Christian Evangelical Union are the largest Evangelical churches. Pentecostals and Holiness churches form over 30 percent of the Evangelical Christians. There is a National Evangel­ical Association, affiliated with the WEA. The joint programme of CLAI and WCC for indigenous peoples is based in Bolivia’s capital La Paz.

Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church*

(Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Boliviana, IELB)

Church Family: Lutheran

Membership: 20,000

Congregations: 95

Preaching points: 35

Pastors : 5

Evangelists (lay) : 90

Member of: WCC (1991) – CLAI – LWF

Periodical: Nina (quarterly, in Spanish)

The Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church grew out of the work of the World Mission Prayer League from the USA, among Aymara Indians. By using vernac­ular languages in its evangelism programmes the church grew rapidly, especially in the early years, as the Aymara and Quechua were able to share the gospel in their own language. In 1972, the American missionaries left the country, as the local people claimed greater participation in the decision-making bodies of the church. The Bolivian Evangelical Lutheran Church was constituted that same year. The church is composed entirely of indigenous people. It is the largest Amerindian Lutheran church on the continent. Its members are scattered mostly in the highlands and in La Paz, and belong to the poor sectors of society. In Bolivia, more than in any other Latin American country, the indigenous peoples have been marginalized and are suffering from exclusion. It is only in recent years that they have become better organized and are able to claim their rights and par­ticipation in society. The socio-economic and political situation of the country is burdening particularly the ministry of the church.

The IELB’s main priority is to promote a holistic approach to evangelism and service. The church is involved in a variety of projects: alternative agriculture, animal husbandry, provision of drinking water, educational campaigns to prevent cholera, formal education (elementary school), vocational training, and commu­nication. All these projects are planned with the communities and respond to their needs; at the same time, they provide good opportunities to introduce the gospel in a natural way to the communities involved. At the same time, the church is aiming to strengthen its institutional presence within the Bolivian context. Important contacts and even agreements in the field of education have been achieved in the past years with the Bolivian government.

The highest decision-making authority of the church is the assembly. It elects the twelve members of the board which, through its chairpersons, exercises legislative, executive and judicial authority. The work is organized in three departments: evangelism, communication, education, health and social develop­ment.

Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia*

(Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en Bolivia. IEMB)

Church Family: Methodist

Membership: 9,053

Congregations: 188

Pastors: 32

Deacons: 10

Member of : WCC (1971) – CLAI – WMC – CIEMAL

Periodical: Avance (in Spanish)

The first Methodist Sunday school was founded in Bolivia in 1891 by a lay preacher. Methodist mission work from the USA began in 1906 when the Boli­vian constitution was changed to permit freedom of worship. In 1969 the Evan­gelical Methodist Church became autonomous and elected its first national bishop. In 1975 a popular movement of the Aymara, representing the majority of church membership, initiated a historical process of change. At an extraordinary session of the fourth general assembly in 1976, three national executive secre­taries were elected, responsible for national and international ecumenical rela­tions, for life and mission (including education and promotion of the interests of women), and social services (including rural ministry and health services). The IEMB seeks to deepen the faith of its members and create a commitment to love and justice. It is also committed to the re-evaluation of indigenous cultures.

The EMCB maintains two hospitals and administers five health centres. Its main emphasis today is on promoting public health. Through a formal agreement with the Bolivian government, the church sustains and directs 16 educational cen­tres, with an emphasis on primary, secondary, vocational and adult education. It carries out broad programmes of rural and community development. It supports various ecumenical programmes such as a centre of educational research and a centre of social studies and documentation. The church is part of several human rights organizations. Through seminaries, workshops and encounters with church and community leaders it shares its social commitment for justice.

BRAZIL

Population: 182,797,708

Surface area: 8,5 million sq.km

Capital: Brasilia

GNI per capita: 2,720 US$

Classification: Developing economy

Languages: Portuguese

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Religions: Christian 91%; Afro-Brazilian 5%; Buddhist, Muslim, other 1%

Christianity*: Catholics 125,517,222; Protestants 8,070,280;

Pentecostals 24,364,700; Anglicans 136,000; Orthodox 121,100;

Independent 9,305,944

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and the largest in South Amer­ica. It was a Portuguese colony from 1549 to 1822. The Portuguese brought 3.5 million slaves from Africa to Brazil who, together with the indigenous people were forced to work in the plantations. The present federal republic of Brazil was established in 1889. Until 1986, the military were the de facto rulers. From 1900 to 1957, the indigenous population of Brazil dropped from more than a million to less than 200,000. In 2005, they were 750,000, and the black population 75 mil­lion. The last military dictatorship, from 1964-1986, was marked by disappear­ances, torture, political assassinations and attacks on the organizations of the poor. Since the restoration of democracy, Brazil has become one of the leaders of the developing countries, economically and politically. It is the country of the World Social Forum and is part of the G20. Differences between rich and poor remain stark. The Catholic Church is the majority church and has a strong charis­matic movement. Evangelical and Pentecostal churches have expanded dramati­cally in the past decades and are still growing. Pentecostals alone number close to 15 percent of the total number of Christians, and about 25 percent of the Chris­tians are non-Catholics. Brazil has an Evangelical Association which is affiliated with the WEA. The national ecumenical body, CONIC, includes the Catholic Church and the Protestant WCC member churches. The ecumenical movement in Brazil has a long-standing record of solidarity with the poor, e.g. supporting the movement of landless peasants.

*Brazilian census 2000.

(Conselho Nacional de Igrejas Cristãs do Brasil, CONIC)

Founded in 1982.

Mission statement: To serve Christian churches in Brazil, through the strength­ening of ecumenism and dialogue, and living the fellowship in Christ, for the defence of the integrity of creation and the promotion of justice and peace, for the glory of God.

Member churches:

Christian Reformed Church

Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil

Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil

Methodist Church

Roman Catholic Church

Fraternal members:

Action of Christians for the Abolition of Torture ACAT

Belarussian Orthodox Church

Centre of Biblical Studies CEBI

Ecumenical Centre of Service to Popular Evangelization CESEP

Ecumenical Coordination of Services CESE

Koinonia - Ecumenical Presence and Service

National Commission to Combat Racism CENACORA

World Day of Prayer (Brazil Chapter)

The CONIC is related to fourteen regional councils in Brazil. Website: www.conic.org.br

Christian Reformed Church of Brazil

(Igreja Cristã Reformada do Brasil)

Church Family: Reformed

Membership: 19,000

Congregations: 11

Pastors: 11

Member of: WCC (1972) – CONIC – WARC – AIPRAL

This church began in 1932 as the result of mission work of the Reformed Church in Hungary among Hungarian immigrants in Brazil. It was originally known as the Latin American Reformed Church. Congregations were gradually organized in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and in the vast hinterland of Brazil. Com­munities were also established in Argentina and Uruguay. The church used the Magyar language. Continuing its special care for immigrants, it has enlarged its sphere to become a national church, with services in Portuguese. During the second world war it became an autonomous, self-supporting body, which in 1945, received its official name of Christian Reformed Church of Brazil.

The church accepts the second Helvetic confession, the Heidelberg catechism and – as a special and historic confession – the profession of faith of the first “Igreja Reformada” organized in Brazil in 1557 by ministers sent by John Calvin. It follows the Presbyterian system. The church’s ministers are usually educated in Brazilian theological faculties, though candidates for the ministry are also sent to take post-graduate courses abroad.

Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil

(Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, IEAB)

Church Family: Anglican

Membership: 120,000

Dioceses : 8

Parishes: 84

Missions: 60

Priests: 200

Member of: WCC (1966) - CLAI – CONIC – ACC

Periodicals: Estandarte Cristão, Sementes, Agenda Anglicana

(all in Portuguese)

Expatriate Anglican chaplaincies were established in Brazil in 1810, with mis­sionary work beginning in 1889, after the separation of church and state. The province, which is one of the few Portuguese-speaking churches in the Anglican communion, became autonomous in 1965. Today the Episcopal Church has estab­lished communities and educational and social institutions in the main urban cen­tres of Brazil. Besides the eight dioceses, the church has two missionary districts, Amazon and West. The ministry is open to women; there are currently 30 female priests. In the present situation of the country, which is facing serious economic and social problems, the church has an important contribution to make to the spir­itual life of the Brazilian people, and it works with other ecumenical organizations and Christian groups in seeking to fulfill the gospel’s commandments.

The church synod meets every three years, and is composed of clergy and lay people from all the dioceses. In the intervals between synods, decisions are taken

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by the executive council of the synod, composed of two bishops, two clergy and two lay elected by the synod; it is chaired by the primate, assisted by the general secretary and national treasurer. The council meets generally twice a year. The councils of each diocese elect their own representatives (three clergy and three lay) to attend the national synod together with the bishop of the diocese.

The National Commission on Theological Education (JUNET) supervises the­ological education in the seminary in Porto Alegre, Recife and in various theo­logical centres scattered throughout the dioceses. In 1998 JUNET founded the Centre for Anglican Studies to promote study and research of Anglican theologi­cal and pastoral thought in Brazil. It provides assistance to the diocesan centres and the seminaries of IEAB for theological education.

(Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterana no Brasil, IECLB)

Church Family: Lutheran

Membership: 715,959

Synods: 18

Parishes: 471

Congregations: 1,812

Preaching points: 1,160

Pastors and catechists: 1,041

Member of: WCC (1950) – CLAI – CONIC – LWF

Periodicals: Boletim Informativo da IECLB, Jornal Evangélico Luterano Novo

Olhar, Anuário Evangélico (all in Portuguese)

The first German immigrants arrived in Brazil in 1824, bringing with them their Evangelical faith. The settlement in Sao Leopoldo became the German Protestant stronghold and the base for progressive expansion. Later, similar colo­nization projects attracted German immigrants to the neighbouring states in the north, up to Espiritu Santo, giving rise to many Protestant congregations as well as hundreds of parish schools. The first permanent general church body was the synod of Rio Grande do Sul in 1886. Other states followed. The present church was inaugurated as a federation of synods in 1949. At first restricted to the ethnic and cultural German community, IECLB members integrated themselves in Brazilian society more quickly after World War II. At its general council meeting at Sao Paulo in 1968 the four synods of partly Lutheran, partly United and Reformed traditions merged into a nationwide church with a central administra­tion, with various regions. In 1998 the IECLB approved a new structure based on 18 synods. In 2000, six advisory groups to the presidency were set up, for theo­logy and confessionality, mission, ecumenism, public responsibility, gender and ethnicity.

Among the three schools of theology, the Escola Superior de Teologia (EST) in Sao Leopoldo has been a privileged space for ecumenical reflection, practice and exchange, both on national and international levels, especially through the Ecu­menical Institute for Graduate Studies. The school always has teachers and stu­dents from other churches. It has chairs on ecumenism, and feminist theology. Women of the IECLB – 1,346 organized groups – have played a leading role in con­gregational life, and presently they are also more and more committed to themes related to the Decade to Overcome Violence against Women. About one third of the pastors are women. The WCC Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation pro­gramme has been the background of several annual themes of the IECLB that have dealt with social responsibility, justice and peace, agrarian reform, indigenous people, mission in urban and rural contexts. The diaconal activities, coordinated by the department for diakonia and the Lutheran Foundation for Diakonia, are developed on all levels within the WCC spirit of diakonia and solidarity. In recent years (since 2000) the IECLB has been developing an encompassing plan of mis­sionary action, which is partially related to texts and programmes of mission and evangelism of the WCC. The church runs 57 parochial schools, 21 hospitals, 48 social centres, 21 retreat centres and four publishing houses.

The IECLB has bilateral dialogues with the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil. The theme of koinonia (and communion) has had significant repercussions in the dia­logue with the Catholic Church and other churches that have an ecumenical spirit.

Priorities and challenges include: confessional unity in the context of religious pluralism; the public responsibility of the IECLB within Brazilian society; dia­logue with internal evangelical, charismatic movements, as well as with the PPL-Pastoral Popular Luterana (representing mainly liberation theology); themes related to faith and money, grace and gratitude, stewardship, proportional contributing, financial autonomy on all levels; human sexuality and ministry; HIV/AIDS.

Methodist Church in Brazil

(Igreja Metodista em Brasil, IMB)

Church Family: Methodist

Membership: 162,424

Annual Conferences: 6

Congregations: 1,101

Bishops: 8

Pastors:1,266 (1020 men and 246 women)

Member of: WCC (1948) – CLAI – CONIC – WMC – CIEMAL

Periodicals: Expositor Cristão, Voz Missionária, Bem-Te-Vi, Flâmula Juvenil,

Affirming unequivocally the social dimension of the gospel, the church was a pioneer in establishing day-care centres, orphanages, homes for the aged, social and community centres, and medical clinics. It also pioneered in proclaiming its social creed affirming human rights and civic responsibilities, and denouncing the shortcomings of the Brazilian social body. During the twenty years of political oppression many Methodists were persecuted for their social stance. Since 1982

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two documents approved by the general conference, the “Plan for the Life and Mission of the Church” and the “Guidelines for Education in the Methodist Church”, have been set as goals to be reached by all Methodist congregations and institutions. Much controversy has arisen out of these official positions, which push the church into an active witness and struggle to transform Brazilian soci­ety along lines of justice and freedom, with equal opportunities for the oppressed and poor. From this moment on, the church has spread out in all Brazilian states, and doubled the number of members and churches in the last 12 years.

The church maintains close relationships with the United Methodist Church (USA), the United Church of Canada and the Evangelical Methodist Church of Germany, with which it shares personnel and financial resources to promote spe­cial projects in the country and abroad.