The Stockholm Conference 1925

The archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, Nathan Söderblom, arranged in 1925 the Universal Christian Conference on Life and Work. A large number of international representatives from Orthodox and Protestant churches gathered together in Stockholm. The Christian Council of Sweden wants to draw attention to the 100-year anniversary of this meeting by arranging the Ecumenical Year 2025.

The theme of peace was central for the Ecumenical conference in Stockholm 1925. Many other themes were discussed during the conference, but peace was the most important. As the Christian Council of Sweden brings attention to the 100-year rememberance of Stockholm 1025, there is good reason to maintain the central theme of peace. Issues concerning peace continue to be just as relevant in the present time.

The Stockholm Conference had great international significance for the ecumenical life of the church and also for the wider perspective of society. The Conference was held in a Europe devastated by war and challenged a deeply split Christianity.  

A milestone for the ecumenical movement

The Conference gathered together many church leaders which had not happened since the Council of Nicaea 1700 years ago making it a milestone for the Ecumenical movement. The vision was to promote unity through” practical Christianity” in the Life and Work movement, as well as in the Faith and Order movement that encompassed international mission for peace and justice.  

The focus was on what possibilities could be attained by people from different churches and denominations meeting together. The Stockholm Conference initiated the idea of a united international ecumenical organization. The foundation of the World Council of Churches in 1948 brought together Life and Work and Faith and Order in one body. The International Mission and Evangelisation sector was started later.

The Conference laid the foundation for the Christian Council of Sweden

The Stockholm Conference had great significance for Swedish ecumenism. It led to the founding of the Svenska Ekumeniska Nämnden (SEN) in 1933, which was re-organised to become the Christian Council of Sweden in 1992.

Today we rejoice that the Christian Council of Sweden has become a broader ecumenical meeting place than what was possible 100 years ago. The Roman Catholic church and the Pentecostal movement were not invited to the Stockholm Conference in 1925 but are now full members of the Christian Council of Sweden.