Citing a need to create further dialogue and to make all voices throughout the global parish heard, representatives from Africa University Development Office met with General Secretary Ivan Abrahams on October 22nd.
“We need to start harnessing the new voices of Methodism, the voices in the southern hemisphere,” said Associate Vice-Chair James Salley in the meeting.
The meeting served as an informal opportunity to strengthen ties between the University and the World Methodist Council, something that the General Secretary anticipates will be among his top priorities in 2013.
“The Council hopes to be much more proactive in bringing groups together in the future. My dream is for the World Methodist Council to be a place where everyone has a seat at the table,” said General Secretary Ivan Abrahams.
Among the issues discussed was the importance of harnessing the shift in demographics from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere in Global Methodism as well as a commitment to help make the voices and ideas coming from the new frontier of the church more noticeable.
“Once we are able to make these people heard, it will strengthen both the church and the world,” said Salley.
Looking forward to a day when the only news emitting from Africa to the rest of the world isn’t one of unrest and struggle but one of possibility and dignity Abrahams sees the World Methodist Council as a key player in the continent’s voice being heard.