The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) held a consultation on the theology of advocacy, gathering church leaders and theologians to explore the role that WCRC churches and ecumenical partners have played in advocacy and in addressing the root causes of global injustices. The consultation was held in Hannover from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2024, and focused on the urgent need for the church to engage more deeply in advocacy as part of its discipleship.

WCRC Interim General Secretary Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, in his welcoming address, emphasized that advocacy is integral to our Christian witness. He explained that advocacy, though often treated as an afterthought in mission work, is central to our biblical understanding. Nyomi identified WCRC’s “four verbs”—discerning, witnessing, confessing, and being reformed—as the foundation that shaped the WCRC’s understanding of advocacy. He urged participants to reflect on their roles in “reading the signs of our times” and advocating for justice in a heightened militarized world.

The consultation emphasized the need to redefine and rethink advocacy in a world that is still grappling with war, oppression, and injustice. Theology has, in many ways, confined advocacy within the parameters of what the empire dictates as acceptable. Muna Nassar, WCRC’s executive secretary for Mission and Advocacy, addressed the question of why injustice prevails and how advocacy must detect and challenge systems of power.

“Advocacy in the WCRC is about standing where God stands—with the oppressed and those on the margins,” Nassar said. She emphasized the important role of the Global South churches, which have long been at the forefront of justice and advocacy, and called for a reimagined approach to advocacy in today’s international context.

A central theme that emerged from the consultation was the need for the church to embrace a decolonial approach to advocacy, particularly in the context of the war in Gaza, which is seen as a litmus test for humanity and Christian witness. The consultation addressed the intersectionality of theology and politics, particularly in the context of settler colonialism, and how the Reformed tradition became intertwined with colonialism. This legacy led not only to the misuse of the Bible but also to Protestant and white supremacist ideologies. The Bible has been misused historically—and still is today—in perpetuating injustice and oppression, especially in Palestine. The consultation urged the church to critically engage with the biblical narrative, challenging the dominant interpretations that have been co-opted to justify political and military agendas. Theology is inherently political because it impacts how we engage with the world.

Panel discussions explored how colonial legacies, particularly in the context of indigenous peoples and global power structures, continue to shape the church’s mission and witness today. To speak truth to power requires courage, and public witness cannot be an afterthought in the mission of the church.

The consultation highlighted the critical role of the church in advocating for justice, not just through statements but through committed and prophetic actions that address systemic injustices. Participants argued for a bottom-up approach to advocacy that centers on the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, as is the approach and structure of the GRAPE advocacy program of the WCRC. Advocacy is seen not just as speaking out but as engaging in community building and structural transformation through the active driving role of the churches.

The conversation on advocacy also engaged with issues of race, gender, and sexuality, pointing out that such discussions should not cause polarization and isolation of communities but should be part of a broader effort to dismantle injustice. It also discussed how language and dominant languages pose a challenge to advocacy work. It is time to dare for justice and become bold disciples who are willing to take risks and make sacrifices. Are we ready to engage in theological reimagination, especially in the face of the suffering of the victims of war?

As the consultation concluded, there was a shared sense of urgency and hope—that we must have the audacity to hope because our God is a God of hope. The participants affirmed that advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint, and that the church must move beyond mere statements to tangible actions. The WCRC’s commitment as a communion to creating a network of advocates and building capacity for grassroots advocacy was underscored as crucial for long-term change.

The consultation also recognized that this is a critical moment for the church to rethink its role in global justice. From addressing the question of Palestine to advocating for economic and climate justice, the need for bold, transformative action is more pressing than ever.

Looking ahead, the WCRC will continue to foster theological reflection and practical engagement on these issues through partnering and liaising with member churches and partner organizations. The church is called to be both prophetic—challenging systems of power—and to offer a shared vision for a world that reflects God’s radical, indivisible justice.

This consultation was made possible through funds from Otto Per Mille (OPM).