Society, Violence and the Churches

We are approaching the end of the Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) of the World Council of Churches. The DOV has been active in raising up for greater consciousness the ways in which churches are culpable in violence as well as have resources for overcoming violence.

Areas of focus have included annual global regional emphases, visits by teams of Living Letters reporting on local conditions around the world, topical conferences and an active website that draws attention to the work of the churches worldwide. As the DOV proceeds toward an International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2011, member churches and other groups will be asked to respond to a Just Peace Declaration currently being developed by an international team. Yet to be given greater attention is the nature of ministerial preparation as seminaries and schools of theology seek to address issues of peacemaking at profound social, theological and spiritual levels.

The Rev. Rodney L. Petersen, Ph.D. is Executive Director of The Boston Theological Institute (BTI). Dr. Petersen teaches in both the member schools and overseas in the areas of history and ethics, currently focusing on issues of religion and conflict. Prior to coming to the Boston area, Dr. Petersen taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, Illinois), Webster University (Geneva, Switzerland), taught conflict analysis for the Fédération des Institutions établies à Genève (FIIG) and worked with churches in France and Eastern Europe. He is author and/or editor of numerous publications, most recently The Antioch Agenda (ISPCK, 2007). He is currently Moderator of the Presbytery of Boston (PCUSA) and is a member of the Reference Committee, Decade to Overcome Violence, World Council of Churches.

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