Introduction

The moderator welcomed the members of the programme committee, opened the meeting with a prayer and invited each member to briefly introduce him/herself. She expressed an appreciation to the interpreters and the stewards for their kind assistance and support for the work of the committee. She briefly explained the consensus process, encouraged members to actively participate in the process and underlined that the committee report to the central committee will reflect the consensus decision of the committee.

Orientation of the Task of the Programme Committee

The moderator explained the tasks of the programme committee (PC) as highlighted in the document GEN PRO 01. Further, the moderator clarified the role of the central committee (CC) and the role of the executive committee (EC); that the CC focuses primarily on the broader and strategic aspects of the WCC programme while the EC works on the detailed programmes. The main task of the PC is to provide general guidelines and direction for the programme work of the WCC.

The following documents were reviewed by the programme committee for action:

• GEN 01 – Moderator’s address
• GEN 03 – Report of the General Secretary
• GEN 05 – An Invitation to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace
• GEN 11 – The WCC Strategic Plan 2014-2017
• GEN PRO 02 – Who do we say that we are? Christian Identity in a Multireligious World
• GEN PRO 03 – Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order

The programme committee also reviewed for information the proposals for the terms of reference for two reference groups:

• Terms of Reference for the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace Reference Group (GEN PRO 04)
• Terms of Reference for the Human Sexuality Reference Group (GEN PRO 05)

These two terms of reference will be discussed at the executive committee for further action.

Approval of the Agenda

The moderator introduced the proposed agenda for the programme committee (GEN PRO 01). Observations and suggestions were made by participants, including the importance to set benchmarks for the achievement to clarify the direction of this pilgrimage, and the desire to get an opportunity to work in small groups. After some discussion, the members unanimously decided to adopt the proposed agenda.

Reflections on the Moderator’s Address

The committee expressed its appreciation for the Moderator’s Address. It was noted that the presentation was well integrated. The role of women in the process of revitalization of spirituality in the pilgrimage of justice and peace was well captured. A special attention to the youth and students gave a new hope to the ecumenical movement. It was suggested to explore new and effective ways to engage with relevant organizations about this. A concern for the need to mentor youth and young adults was expressed especially in light of their declining involvement in the ministry of the church, this matter that has to be addressed urgently in the pilgrimage of justice and peace. Issues related to migration and human trafficking which have been burning issues in many places, were also highlighted.

Reflection on the General Secretary’s Report

The committee expressed its appreciation for the Report of the General Secretary, especially as it underlined some of the crucial concerns, including:

-          the need to rethink our role as Christians in multi religious contexts;

-          the role of women in the pilgrimage of justice and peace and the importance of involving youth and women in journeying together in addressing common concerns, such as poverty, inequality, etc.;

-          the importance of strengthening the intergenerational relationship;

-          the stress on the spirit of continuation;

-          the accent on a theological basis where the cross and resurrection go hand in hand, and the emphasis on Trinitarian basis;

-          the highlight on Syria and Iraq situations;

-          the importance of strengthening relationships;

-          the emphasis on developing coherent programme in all aspects of the work of WCC.

Presentation of the documents “An Invitation to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace” (GEN 05) and “The WCC Strategy 2014-2017” (GEN 11)

The WCC associate general secretaries, Rev. Dr Hielke Wolters, Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri and Fr Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca presented the above documents including the explanation about the background and the interrelatedness of both documents. The committee appreciated the staff for presenting a clear direction and vision for the programme work of the WCC, setting the strategic directions of the WCC and indicating how the programme will be part of the pilgrimage of justice and peace.

An Invitation to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace (GEN 05)

The PC felt that the document needed to be revised in certain paragraphs to offer more clarity and depth to the ideas we wish to communicate. It was also felt that this document should be shared with member churches and all partners to clearly state the direction of the WCC, and that this should be sent out from this meeting. In the light of this view, the PC appointed a group of people to revise the original document for presentation to the central committee.

Recommendation

• The PC recommends that the central committee receives and endorses the revised document (GEN 05 rev).

APPROVED

WCC Strategic Plan 2014-2017 (GEN 11)

In drawing up the Strategic Plan 2014-2017 we must be reminded that we have been on this journey at least since the Harare Assembly where it was clearly articulated that we can no longer think of WCC as only an office in Geneva but beyond that it is a fellowship of churches. This view was most strongly affirmed in the other two assemblies since then. We have to understand what it means to be a movement. In doing so, we have to integrate our work on unity, justice and peace with the work of member churches, ecumenical partners, faith-based organizations and people who share the common vision to journey with us in our pilgrimage of justice and peace.

In this regard, we are obliged to integrate our programme priorities and operational plans with member churches and other partners, which may include people of other faiths and interreligious organisations. This endeavour will enable us to share our resources in the work we do together on our pilgrimage, which hopefully will also help the financial challenges we face in the WCC office.

Recommendations

• The PC recommends to the Central Committee to task the Executive Committee to set goals for the programme priorities, goals and objectives with the metrics for evaluation.

APPROVED

• The PC recommends that, given the number of the programme areas, the number of projects in each programme area be limited.

APPROVED

• The PC proposes that the Central Committee adopts the paper on the WCC Strategic Plan 2014-2017 (GEN 11) with the following general observations in the 3 programme areas:

APPROVED

Unity, Mission and Ecumenical Relations

The concerns of the indigenous people should be included in the WCC programmatic work to deepen the meaning of the pilgrimage of justice and peace by addressing the marginalization and injustice facing them and affirming their traditional wisdom that reveals the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life.

Under Unity, Mission and Ecumenical Relations (p.14) “especially in Europe and North America” should be deleted.

Special engagement and dialogue need to be encouraged when churches disagree with terminology, e.g. the understanding and definition of evangelism. It is important to reclaim words such as evangelism but we ought to do this with dialogue.

More work needs to be done on section 2 on, “A New Approach towards the Moral Discernment” to strengthen the paragraph and offer more clarity.

Discussion on spirituality needs more work by the Faith and Order Commission to offer more clarity and substance to the understanding of spirituality.

Public Witness and Diakonia

The issue of language and substance needs to be looked at, e.g. it talks about capacity building of youth and women but excludes men.

WCC needs to work with other ecumenical organizations and partners in the area of public witness and diakonia.

WCC needs to establish its role in the coordination of peace-making programmes and make clear its work with other organisations in this area.

With respect to peace-making programs, affirms that the Korean Peninsula is a priority. (approved)

In addressing the issue of Palestine and Israel, WCC should very seriously bear in mind that interfaith collaborations in this area is essential;

The specific role of WCC on Economy for Life should focus on the theology of building faith and action.

The role and concerns of indigenous peoples should be included in discussing climate change because of their own struggles, but more particularly because of their interconnectedness and interdependence of all life.

In highlighting human dignity reference should be made to the poor treatment of people, particularly women.

Revise the paragraph beginning with “Promote life giving theologies and gender transformative programs…” (p. 26) for clarity and explanation.

In “developing contextual curriculum on Human Sexuality (HS and Christian Spirituality [CS])” replace the words “curriculum” with “curricula” (p.26).

Ecumenical Formation

As we embark on the pilgrimage, theological and ecumenical education is necessary at all levels particularly at the grassroots. Support from WCC and the Bossey Ecumenical Institute needs to more proactively reach the local context.

Ecumenism must come to local people to understand what it means to be in pilgrimage together.

Who Do We Say That We Are – Christian Identity in a Multireligious World (GEN PRO 02)

The PC reflected on this document and expressed appreciation for the work undertaken in this area.

Recommendation

The PC proposes that the Central Committee:

1. receives the document and tasks the staff in light of the conversation in the CC to reconsider the use of the words “the other” throughout the document, revisit the introduction with representatives of churches that have a lived experience of having lived within a multireligious world, and to prepare a study guide based on its contents, and
2. the revised document be sent together with the study guide to member churches and ecumenical partners for further study, reflection and discussions.

APPROVED

Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (GEN PRO 03)

The PC discussed the proposal on the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order (GEN PRO 03).

Recommendation

The central committee appreciated the proposal of the outgoing Faith and Order Commission on holding a Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order and encourages the new Commission on Faith and Order to explore and bring to the executive committee for decision a plan including:

• the objectives of a world conference ;
• the theme;
• the shape (e.g. a Faith and Order World Conference, a World Conference combined with a central committee meeting, or preparatory reflections in the 2016 central committee for a World Conference at a later stage, or a combined Faith and Order/CWME World Conference);
• location;
• the budget, funding opportunities, and potential partners.

APPROVED

Terms of Reference for the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace Reference Group (GEN PRO 04)

The Terms of Reference for the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace Reference Group were distributed for information and will be referred to the executive committee.

Terms of Reference for the Human Sexuality Reference Group (GEN PRO 05)

The Terms of Reference for the Human Sexuality Reference Group were distributed for information and will be referred to the executive committee.