WCC's Geneva Call to reach further than just Ecumenical Institutions

In an unprecedented gathering in Geneva, Switzerland the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary, Rev Samuel Kobia stated that the "table is big enough for all of us". The meeting which took place from 30 November till 3 December was used by the WCC to reaffirm its aim to facilitate "the further and deeper participation of all those involved in the ecumenical movement, including those that are not members of the WCC."

The Geneva gathering saw more than 100 people attend from WCC member churches, from the Roman Catholic Church, Pentecostal Church, as well as from ecumenical organisations, and Christian World Communions (CWC's). All these and many other church-related agencies came together to share their visions of ecumenism, and to advance the effectiveness of the way in which the churches combine in today’s extreme society.

Moderator of WCC, Aram I, in a keynote speech stated, "People are tired of institutional ecumenism. They are challenging the ecumenical movement to liberate itself from the narrow confines of institutions and to reaffirm itself as a future-oriented movement. An ecumenical vision for the 21st century must be Gospel-centred and mission-oriented."

The gathering emphasised the urgency that new forms of ecumenism must be found. The WCC's role was in particular highlighted, and the organisation was given the commission to provide a forum for "exchange and common advocacy against injustice (to) foster accountability in the quality of relationships among churches and partners (and to) provide space for the ecumenical movement to formulate a common ecumenical vision for the 21st Century."

Kobia stated, "WCC is willing to change, but this process is not primarily about the WCC. It's about a new configuration of the whole ecumenical movement. I am pleased to see the willingness of all the participants at this consultation to change."

All relevant participants confirmed the importance of ecumenical unity, and the need for the WCC, CWC's and all other Christians to collaborate to a greater extent.

During the discussions, it was also underlined that there was a great necessity to clarify exactly what relationship exists between the WCC, Regional Ecumenical Organisations (REO's) and National Council of Churches (NCC's) in the process of building a coherent and unified movement. In addition it was explored how it was best to reach greater financial stability.

A continuation group was set up between the participants to firmly establish the reunification process, and this group will also be used to carry out a mapping study of existing problems within the ecumenical bodies. The group will consist of 15 people, and will contain representatives from the WCC, Roman Catholic Church, Pentecostal Church, Youth organisations, REO's, CWC's, NCC's, and also agencies from outside the ecumenical movement.

The General Secretary of the All African Conference of Churches (AACC), Bishop Mvume Dandala commended the "sense of impatience and the purposefulness of the reconfiguration process."

Dandala also reported that he felt "greatly inspired by the constant call that we have to go beyond the institutions, driven by clear visions of what the world can be."

Although the meeting affirmed that the "challenge does not address any single institution," it also reaffirmed the "pivotal role of the WCC as the catalyst that makes the ecumenical movement vibrant again."