The role of the worldwide church, Christian mission and evangelism, ecumenism, reconciliation, and the work of overseas aid charities such as Christian Aid and CAFOD.

What this dot point is asking

Eduqas wants you to explain the role of the worldwide church, Christian mission and evangelism (sharing the faith), ecumenism (Christian unity), reconciliation (restoring broken relationships), and the work of overseas aid charities such as Christian Aid and CAFOD. These express the belief that the gospel is good news to be shared and that Christians should serve the whole world. The topic feeds the 15-mark evaluation question on whether Christians should try to convert others, so you need the content, the range of views, and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.

Mission and evangelism

Christians evangelise in many ways: preaching and teaching; missionary work at home and overseas; large evangelistic events; everyday witness through how they live; and increasingly through media (radio, television and the internet). The driving source is the Great Commission, Jesus' final command: "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19), and his promise, "you will be my witnesses ... to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Christians differ on method: some evangelise actively with words, others believe the strongest witness is a loving life that draws people to ask about their faith.

The worldwide church, ecumenism and reconciliation

The worldwide church matters because Christianity is a global faith, and unity is seen as part of its witness: a divided church weakens the message, while churches working together strengthen it. A famous example of reconciliation is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who chaired South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission after apartheid, seeking healing through truth and forgiveness rather than revenge.

Worldwide aid: Christian Aid and CAFOD

The worldwide church also serves through major charities. Christian Aid is the relief and development agency of British and Irish churches (largely Protestant), and CAFOD (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is its Catholic counterpart. Both give emergency aid after disasters (food, water, shelter) and fund long-term development (clean water, education, farming, healthcare) to tackle the causes of poverty, not just its symptoms. This expresses the Christian belief in justice, not only charity: changing the unfair structures that keep people poor, grounded in love of neighbour and the good Samaritan (Luke 10).

Common and divergent views

The common view is that Christians should share their faith and serve the world, and most support the worldwide church and aid charities. Where Christians diverge is over how to evangelise: some favour active, word-based conversion, while others stress witness by loving example and respect for other faiths. They also debate how far to push conversion versus interfaith dialogue. For the exam, present mission and service as agreed and the method of evangelism as the contested point.

Try this

Q1. What is the Great Commission? [a-style recall]

• Cue. Jesus' command to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19), the basis of Christian mission and evangelism.

Q2. Explain one way the worldwide church helps people in poverty overseas. [b-style short explanation]

• Cue. Through charities such as Christian Aid or CAFOD, which provide emergency aid after disasters (food, water, shelter) and fund long-term development (clean water, education, farming) to tackle the causes of poverty.