Work groups on the theme and sub-themes

Partnership in God's mission

Special characteristics of the contribution of women to the Christian community

1. Based on Gal 3.28, we believe that all people, women and men, who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, can bring a similar contribution to the construction of a more just and caring church and social community, as this is not defined by social conditioning but by the liberating love of God. The particular characteristics of each person should be brought together in this transforming process of searching for an authentic fellowship in God's reign.

Strategies to open ways

1. Conscientize women and men so that they support the participation of women at all levels of church life.
2. Include children and youth in the process of building in partnership and in solidarity with women and men, in accordance with that same mission entrusted to us by God.
3. Emphasize the joint approach of women and men to the inclusiveness that is present in the Bible, starting in Sunday School and continuing through to theological seminaries.

Being church in Latin America today

Diagnosis

1. The churches in Latin America are silent, do not raise problems, do not denounce.
2. The churches do not go far enough in their analysis of the socio-political situation, e.g., they do not criticize the scope and consequences of neoliberal economic programmes.
3. Communities do not participate in an active way by clearly signalling their involvement in the political arena.
4. The churches do not preach an integral and transforming gospel.
5. The churches do not make an ecumenical effort to present their gospel-based alternatives to the political authorities.
6. The process of evangelization is not accompanied by the creation of receptive communities which are open and willing to change.
7. In painful situations healing gestures of evangelization are not offered and the example of Jesus is not followed.
8. Nevertheless, there are small groups and prophetic leaders who are taking risks.

Recommendations

1. Educating ourselves in prophetic action and encouraging those who already participate.
2. Train people through the practice of modern, renovating and healing hermeneutics based on the Word and our doctrine; creating communities which are fresh, new, inclusive and which stimulate men and women to participate in a committed way toward change.
3. Take the discussion of women's ministry to the leadership of the churches.
4. Support AIPRAL's programme of evangelization, taking into account what was said in point 1).
5. Start evangelizing within our churches in connection with:
   1. female ministry
   2. partnership in God's mission
   3. full rights for the marginalized
   4. defence of life in all its aspects.
6. Build churches as therapeutic and transforming communities using liturgies which could include cultural elements of our own countries.
7. Create communities that are fountains of spiritual nourishment, joyful celebration, social conscientization and prophetic criticism.

Women and men in church leadership in Latin America today

Affirming the leadership of women

1. Give priority to theological education of women, e.g., by granting scholarships.
2. Create local training programmes for women in the various church ministries, in accordance with their natural gifts and personal interests.
3. Support women in the work they are already doing.
4. Create an "oasis" where women can share their experiences and refresh their struggle.

Understanding by the authorities

1. Authority has traditionally "worn the pants" ("macho" system).
2. Authority, in general, is understood as power to subject another person to one's will, including both men and women. The New Testament, on the other hand, teaches us that authority is given to "serve life".
3. Men and women should accept (be converted) to the concept of authority as a "service to life", as an answer given in faith to the liberating God.
4. Team work between men and women should be emphasized.

Paths to follow

1. Return to the source (the Word) with a new and liberating hermeneutics.
2. Exchange of experiences and persons between those churches which ordain women and those which do not.
3. Support the women who are at present studying theology.
4. Encourage solidarity between women.
5. Promote and revalue the distinctiveness of the newly emerging pastoral models from the experience and perspective of women.

Recommendations

1. That AIPRAL publish a list of ordained women in the churches. It should also circulate stories of the lives of Latin American women.
2. Strengthen the women's department of AIPRAL, creating spaces ("oases") for the participation and growth of women.
3. Create a network between churches to exchange materials and programmes concerning work with and by women.
4. Foster general cooperation with ecumenical organizations such as CLAI.
5. Increase the effect of experiences gathered in meetings such as this one by visiting local communities.
6. Secure funding for specific women's meetings, preferably through self-management.
7. Produce and circulate the book The Ministry of Women as a document for reflection and witness.
8. Translate into Spanish the book by Jane Dempsey Douglass: Women, Freedom and Calvin.

Ecumenical perspective with regard to partnership of women and men in God's mission in the Caribbean and Latin America

How to achieve leadership of women in AIPRAL?

1. By encouraging the churches to send women delegates to the Assemblies of AIPRAL.
2. By revising the statutes of AIPRAL to allow women and men equal participation in leadership.
3. By integrating the women elected as regional coordinators directly into the leadership of AIPRAL, with voice and vote.
4. Continuing the regional workshops of AIPRAL in order to:
   1. give information on AIPRAL
   2. provide incentives for female ministry
   3. promote studies on gender.
5. Publish in AIPRAL's magazine articles written by women and promoting theological reflection on women's themes.
6. Include a curriculum containing a Chair of Feminist Theology in Latin American seminaries.
7. Recognize that changing from a masculine model to a feminine model is not a solution, even though it was part of the discussion on gender, advocating instead the use of an inclusive model.

Challenges of Latin American and Caribbean ecumenism

1. We should be moved by others (otherness) towards a mutual and whole acceptance.
2. Discrimination (misogyny) against women is found at all levels of church life. Changes should come from the base and not from the pastors, followed by serious reflection on man-woman relationships at all levels.
3. The deeply-rooted machismo in society, in church and in families dehumanizes men and sacrifices women, perpetuating a system of inequality and lack of solidarity.

Weaknesses of ecumenism

1. Ecumenical relations are generally maintained between persons (very often the same ones) and not between communities.
2. Lack of economic austerity in the management of funds in many organizations.
3. Sometimes the delegates (women and men) do not act as a multiplying factor.

Recommendations

1. That the Department of Communication of AIPRAL seek direct communication with women.
2. Promote the work and image of AIPRAL in local communities.
3. AIPRAL should foster a strict and participatory ecumenism.