Christianity, Wealth and Poverty: Indian Perspectives

Project 21, a world-wide study project initiated by some development agencies in Europe on the theme Christianity, poverty and Wealth in 21st Century is about exploring the meaning of solidarity in Christ in an increasingly polarized world.  This three year long process of study and reflection involving several people, churches and organizations in many parts of the world inspired a rich variety of new meanings and possibilities of Christian discipleship and partnership. Share liturgies and create new ones which engage with the realities of wealth and poverty. Provide clear and accessible teaching and educational programmes on Christianity, poverty and wealth and on the economic order so that congregations are inspired and equipped to engage in structural change and bring about God’s justice. Define a greed line to stand alongside the poverty line in each country, translating Gospel teaching on wealth into concrete and contemporary guidance for Christians. Organize a World Church Sunday on Poverty and Wealth in October to coincide with the UN International Day for the eradication of poverty to focus the attention of the churches on their calling to overcome greed and poverty. Re-examine the reasons for supporting poverty-related projects and programmes to make sure they are advocates of fundamental structural change in favour of the poorest.  Give priority to local churches and communities in resourcing and decision-making. Participates in national poverty reduction strategies in every country so that the churches make their full contribution to policy-making, implementation and monitoring. Support and actively participate in an inclusive gloval alliance of the churches and their organizations (focused on the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance) to globalize solidarity and make church advocacy more effective. Create an ecumenical network of research institutions to exchange and coordinate their findings on advocacy issues and make them available to the churches. Produce a World Church Report on Poverty and Wealth in 2007 and 2015 to provide a framework within which the varied activities of the churches can gain greater coherence and reinforce each other.