We, members of the Body of Christ, have gathered in Beirut, Lebanon, for three days of worship, discernment, and fellowship.  We have come – eager guests – as members of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding and – welcoming hosts – as members of the Middle East Council of Churches. As we face what some would call the clash of civilizations, we, ambassadors for Christ, embrace our prophetic mission to speak truth to power, our pastoral mission to heal the broken and hurting body of Christ, and our ecclesial mission to bear witness to the oneness of the Church.  These incarnate ministries witness to the world that we stand fast to the ancient faith to which we are grateful heirs and which was brought forth from this land.

“God our Savior desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – I Timothy 2:3-4
We affirm that God loves all humanity, and that all people – regardless of race, nation, or religion – are created in the image of God.  This binds the world, makes us children of God, and unites us as brothers and sisters.
We reject all efforts to demonize our brothers and sisters.  We stand against constant political threats to nations and repeated political efforts to label some as “evil”, to call others “men of peace,” and to use Scripture for the purpose of waging war.

“My kingdom is not from this world.” – John 18:36
We affirm that the common citizenship of the Church is in the household of God.  It is this citizenship that will gather and does gather us – strangers and aliens all – together in a homeland of grace and truth.
We reject the claims of any earthly kingdom that would attempt to replace the kingdom of God.  We refuse all efforts to establish territorial or national superiority based on military might, economic power, or by a claimed divine decree.

“On behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – II Corinthians 5:21
We affirm the importance of peacemaking through non-violence.  We affirm this not only because of its effectiveness, but because it is faithful to the prophetic, suffering footsteps of Christ.
We reject any and all forms of violence, whether manifested as sanctions, occupation, terrorism, or war.  Violence is a sin that must be expiated, and is an offense to the redemption of the cross.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
We affirm the crucial role of the Church in establishing glimpses of the kingdom of God on earth.  We urge the Church to make truth, grace, hope, and reconciliation visible in our respective societies.
We reject those voices that would exploit spirituality in the service of nationalism or war-making, and that seek to legitimize conquest as the work of God.

“I have become all things to all people…for the sake of the gospel.” – I Corinthians 9:22-23
We affirm the unique role of the Church in this region, born at Pentecost, which has faithfully safeguarded the witness of the gospel for our benefit and that of generations to come.  We believe that our brothers and sisters, Christians of the Middle East, are the incarnate model of reconciliation as a sign of hope in our efforts to heal what some would call the clash of civilizations.

We call for:

• The lifting of sanctions against our brothers and sisters in Iraq
• The end of the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory
• The cessation of continued threats by major powers against the people and nations of this region

We covenant:

• To tell the story of the Church of the Middle East, as ambassadors for Christ, rejoicing in the vitality of her faithful word and witness
• To maintain and sustain the friendships that have developed despite the cultural, linguistic, and denominational barriers that might separate us, and in so doing, set a dynamic model for the use of dialogue in fostering understanding and resolving conflict
• To be in solidarity through prayer, ministry, and action with and for all the peoples of the region