WCC News: WCC general sectary provides insights into Strategic Plan, offers vision for future

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Prof. Rev. Dr Jerry Pillay, in his first report to the WCC central committee, reflected on the WCC 11th Assembly theme, provided insight into the Strategic Plan 2023-2030, shared information about programmatic work, and offered a vision for the future. 21 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivers his report to the World Council of Churches central committee, gathered in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023 for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 21 June 2023 “The 11th WCC Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany, was indeed a spectacular and memorable celebration,” he said. “It was so fantastic to see over 4,000 people come together to pray, share the joy of fellowship, work, and deliberate together on various matters.” He reflected on why the assembly invited the churches to continue their journey together as a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. “In strengthening the fellowship, we need to continue to encourage the involvement and commitment of member churches in the life, work, and witness of the WCC,” he said. “The fellowship is strengthened when we realize the calling, gifts, and ministry of all of God’s people and not just selected groups of people.” He also reflected on the WCC’s call to strengthen unity. “The fellowship is strengthened by deeper and coordinated collaborations with Christian communions that are part of the fellowship,” he said. “The inclusion of young people in the life and work of the fellowship is essential for the sustainability of the ecumenical vision and movement.” The ecumenical fellowship is also strengthened by collaborations with other religions, Pillay noted.  “In concluding, my report has attempted to focus on setting the scene for the new Strategic Plan, provide some details of future directions with programmatic work, and share what we have done in the past six months especially in the programme areas,” he said. “Hopefully, all of these have given an indication of where we are going as the WCC into the future.” He concluded with a vision statement from his election speech as WCC general secretary. “I envision a united, flourishing, sustainable, contextually, and globally relevant WCC, praying, worshiping, witnessing, and working together to impact and transform the world with Christ’s love, justice, peace, reconciliation, and unity, participating in God’s reign on earth and the fullness of life for all creation.” Report of the General Secretary to the WCC Central Committee, June 2023 WCC important “to proclaim healing to a broken world,” moderator urges (WCC news release, 21 June 2023) WCC Central committee meeting, June 2023 Photo gallery of the WCC Central committee meeting 21 June 2023, Geneva, Switzerland: WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay delivers his report to the World Council of Churches central committee, gathered in Geneva on 21-27 June 2023 for its first full meeting following the WCC 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe in 2022. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland