wfn.org | Strengthening communion – deepening dialogue

["Daphne Martin_Gnanadason" <Daphne.Martin_Gnanadason@warc.ch>]

Uniting General Council 2010                                    

>News Release 
>25 June 2010

Strengthening communion – deepening dialogue
by Frank Worbs, UGC Correspondent
UGC News interviewed Gottfried Locher, the treasurer of the new
WCRC Executive Committee, about the significance of this Uniting
General Council and the tasks facing the WCRC. Just two weeks ago
Gottfried Locher was elected as the new President of the
Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, which has two million
members.
Gottfried Locher, since the last general Council in Accra in
2004 you have been a vice-president of the Executive Committee.
What has changed between Accra and Grand Rapids?
The feeling of unity and belonging has become stronger. In Accra
social issues were to the fore and created a lot of controversial
discussion. In Grand Rapids you can feel the communion of
churches much more strongly, our belonging together as a Reformed
family, and there's been more in depth theological work - which
may also be a result of the union with the Reformed Ecumenical
Council. 
What is the significance of this General Council for individual
churches and congregations?
First of all the Council enriches all those who take part in it.
They experience how Reformed churches in other countries live and
work. They become aware of the worldwide context of their faith
and can see, for example, how baptism, the Lord's Supper, or
ordination are understood in other churches. So the impact of the
Council depends upon how well delegates, observers and visitors
communicate this wider perspective in their own churches and
congregations.
Putting to one side the recommendations and programmes which the
General Council will decide upon, what do you think are the most
urgent tasks for the WCRC?
I see two key theological tasks. On the one hand to go forward
with inner-Christian dialogue in particular with the Lutheran
World Federation and with the Roman Catholic Church. On the other
hand to strengthen the communion of faith between our own member
churches, for example through work on our confessional texts.
What are your tasks and goals as the newly elected treasurer of
the WCRC?
To improve the financial situation of the WCRC, and ensure that
there are enough financial and human resources available. On the
one hand we'll be speaking with the richer member churches about
appropriate contributions to the WCRC. On the other hand we want
to work with existing networks for example in North America to
strengthen our fundraising. 

The Uniting General Council 2010 in Grand Rapids, United States
(June 18-28) marks the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed
Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council to form the World
Communion of Reformed Churches. 

>Contact: Kristine Greenaway
>Executive Secretary, Communications
>World Communion of Reformed Churches

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