Book excerpt: Faith and Caring in the Global Village is about pastoral care and Christian spirituality in the age of an ever-shrinking, interdependent world. It is a call to action that delves into the current argument about the necessity for the Church to embrace the mission-based paradigm in the ecclesial communities that are eager to have their say in the way the good news is communicated to them and to others. It speaks especially to the historical denominations that are still reluctant to do away with deep-seated traditions and social/racial status. Listening to the current tone of the debate, one would think that only scientists and politicians are responsible for the problems humans face and, therefore, they and they alone have the moral obligation and capacity to propose solutions for the resulting challenges, and lay out a set of plans to deliver us from annihilation. Although they have an important role to play, the exemplary conduct of many of Christ's followers and the results of the teaching in many Christian communities points in a different direction, the Church. In the final analysis, the appropriate response to the call for relevancy leads to the understanding and acceptance of diversity in people, culture, and in practice; and to unity in purpose.