Partnership

Common witness to the Good News

The concept of partnership emerged in the 20th century in the context of the ecumenical missionary movement to describe the – changing – relations between churches in the South and North. It stands for equality and mutuality in relations, by contrast with paternalism or mothering.

EMS sees ‘Mission and Partnership’ as the heading for all its program activities. The understanding and practice of mission in the international EMS Fellowship is characterised by ‘common witness’ to the good news. Be it in country-to-country relations and ecumenical learning, with focal themes and solidarity activity, people in the churches in Africa and Asia, the Middle East and Europe mutually challenge, encourage and support each other in witness to God’s passionate-compassionate and transforming love to the world and the people.