IRD Activities

• Policy Multiculturalism and Interfaith Relations

  As part of the universal Church of Christ, ELCF seeks both to welcome Christians of all backgrounds to its worship and activities, and to work in partnership with congregations of other traditions. Efforts have been made to offer services, activities and pastoral support in various languages, among them Arabic, Chinese, English, Estonian and Russian. In many parishes, church workers and members engage with other Christians and facilitate their activities. Parishes can often offer a place for a group to worship, or organise or host Bible study groups or other activities in a particular language. The ELCF is committed to dialogue with their leaders and representatives in order to foster mutual understanding and develop and strengthen an interfaith approach to peace, justice and environmental issues. Arising from this new diversity in Finnish society, the ELCF has issued guidelines for arranging both ecumenical and interfaith ceremonies

• Ecumenical Relations

  In ecumenical relations, the churches first seek to strengthen their fellowship and to identify the faith they hold in common in order to build visible unity. This theological dialogue involves deep consideration of both scripture and the writings of the fathers of the early church. Each church brings its own emphases to bear on our common faith, and difference is first acknowledged in order to deconstruct misconceptions and encourage better understanding of the positions of others. In this way, shared perspectives are identified and links strengthened, making shared witness and service possible. ELCF is actively ecumenical. Official ecumenical relations and theological dialogues serve the interaction between parishes, dioceses, organisations and people.

Main Focus Countries of Activities

Finland - World