Great Challenges Also Bring Unexpected Opportunities

On 21 May, Anders Göranzon was elected as the new Chairperson of SMC Faith in development. While new in this role, he is no stranger to the network. As Secretary General of the Swedish Bible Society and a board member of SMC, he has been part of the network since 2019. 

—  I see the Swedish Mission Council as an incredibly important network when it comes to mission in the broadest sense. SMC carries a significant part of the legacy of the modern ecumenical movement, says Anders Göranzon. 

Born in Sigtuna in 1960, Anders grew up in northern Sweden. After being ordained in 1987, he served as a parish priest in the dioceses of Luleå, Linköping, and Växjö. For seven and a half years, he was sent by the Church of Sweden to South Africa, where he served in various roles — including youth leader, parish priest, and university chaplain. Between 2013 and 2015, he worked as a senior lecturer in Pietermaritzburg, following the completion of his PhD in 2010 on the South African Council of Churches. 

Upon returning to Sweden, Anders taught homiletics at the Church of Sweden’s training institute before becoming Secretary General of the Swedish Bible Society in 2019. One of his key commitments is the World Council of Churches’ campaign against gender-based violence, where he serves as an ambassador for Thursdays in Black. 

—  Since I started working at the Bible Society, I’ve had a close connection to SMC, as we are one of its member organisations. Through funding re-granted via SMC, we’ve received Sida support for various projects — currently, for example, a literacy programme in Ghana in collaboration with the Bible Society of Ghana, he explains. 

Anders believes that SMC, as an ecumenical actor, has a unique calling to highlight the situation of the global community. So when asked if he would consider stepping into the chair role, he said yes. 

—  During my time on the board, I’ve become increasingly convinced of the importance of SMC’s role. In this challenging period, I believe I can contribute with my experience — both from the global church and from the local parish context in Sweden. As Secretary General of the Bible Society, I also bring six years’ experience of leading an ecumenical fundraising organisation. 

SMC has gone through a turbulent time and faces significant challenges, but Anders Göranzon sees great potential in the relationships between the member organisations. 

—  Great challenges also bring unexpected opportunities. If we, as a network, recognise the strength of our community, there is real reason to remain hopeful even in these times. There is an African proverb that says: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ 

One thing Anders Göranzon especially looks forward to is engaging with mission theology. 

—  Through my research, I’ve worked with these issues, and I believe it’s always important to return to one’s roots in difficult times. In Latin, the word for root is radix — and that’s what it means to be radical.