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Cultural values and practices that propagate or encourage violence must be rejected, and those that can contribute to bridge building and peace encouraged. Tolerance and attitudes that honor cultural differences in a spirit of mutual respect must be nurtured.
We call each other to find ways to resist an imperial culture that invades our world through the media, and spreads consumerism, individualism, worship of those who are young, rich and strong, and tolerates violence as a means of solving problems. This culture is in open contradiction to Christian values of love, inclusiveness, community and peace building.
HIV/AIDS
The church is living with HIV/AIDS; there are many living with HIV/AIDS in our midst. We must break the culture of silence that overlooks this painful reality in the body of Christ.
Cultural beliefs, practices, and traditions must be challenged whenever they lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. There is a dynamic interaction between HIV/AIDS, poverty and violence. This includes the structural violence of gender inequality.
Rather than with fearful or moralistic approaches, the church must reach out pastorally, with unqualified acceptance of those affected by HIV/AIDS. We must break out of our comfort-zones to accompany those affected, in ways that constantly safeguard and promote their rights and self-esteem.
Public policy advocacy is important in relation to HIV/AIDS, such as challenging the cost and access to drugs produced by large companies. In doing so, we should work in partnership with other churches and organizations, such as through the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
Special attention and sensitivity must be given to how women, youth and children are affected by HIV/AIDS, to all modes of transmission, to the promotion of effective means of prevention (e.g., abstinence, faithfulness, use of condoms, sterilized needles, clean blood supply), and to how to discuss sexuality and sexual ethics among all age groups.
Some implications for how we carry out diakonia
As agents of transformation, healing and reconciliation, the church must engage with people who are marginalized, such as those who live with HIV/AIDS, live in poverty, or are affected by violence. Our approach should be characterized by compassion, mutuality, and an eagerness to understand and further the struggles of those who seek justice. Christ is the source of the church's hope for abundant life for all, but structures and practices can sometimes impede that hope from being realized. Such cases call for change.
Structures
In order to be effective and credible agents of prophetic diakonia, all levels of the church regularly need to assess internal structures and governance models for the sake of transparency and accountability. Member churches and their diaconal ministries should structure diakonia so that it is effective, visible and credible. Mutual accountability is necessary between church "headquarters" and diaconal organizations.
Churches should strengthen the capacity of specialized diaconal ministries to work in areas where there is no member church. International diaconal alliances should create forums where organizations from the different streams of diakonia can share visions, best practices and priorities, building synergy for diaconal ministry.
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