WCC news: New GETI publication explores future of Christian unity

A new publication from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation (EEF) brings together the voices and theological reflections of young ecumenists from around the world who attended the 2025 edition of the WCC Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI). It brings fresh inputs to the pressing question for the churches today: Where now for visible unity? From left: Rev. Prof. Dr Meehyun Chung, moderator of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation; Prof. Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi, WCC programme executive for Ecumenical Theological Education and coordinator of GETI 2025; Rev. Dr Nathan Digby, GETI 2025 facilitator and member of the WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation; during the launch event of the GETI 2025 book on 8 October. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 12 October 2026 “GETI 2025: Voices and Visions of Transformative Unity,” edited by Prof. Dr Ani Ghazaryan Drissi and Rev. Prof. Teddy Chalwe Sakupapa, emerges from the WCC’s 4th GETI, held in the context of the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in Wadi El Natrun, Egypt. The publication, launched on 8 October, during the biannual meeting of the EEF Commission, comes at a significant moment. “The fruits of ecumenical dialogue must take root in the lives of our churches,” said Ghazaryan. “The GETI 2025 message brought this bold challenge to the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order and the wider ecumenical movement: let the unity we confess become the life we share.” This publication carries that call forward, she added, through voices and visions rooted in different churches, cultures, and lived realities. “Their theological reflections invite us to ask how the fruits of ecumenical dialogue can shape our communities, deepen our relationships, and renew our common witness,” said Ghazaryan. “They call us to listen more deeply, confront exclusion, and share responsibility for the future of our churches.” Bossey students who took part of GETI 2025 shared their testimonies during the launch event. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC The volume presents a global and contextually grounded exploration of Christian unity. Its contributors reflect on reception, Nicaea, pilgrimage, trust and companionship, while also addressing colonial wounds, trauma, migration, ethnic violence, Palestine, digital ecumenism, and ecological crisis. Rather than treating unity as an abstract theological ideal, the book emphasizes unity as something that must be embodied through relationships, truth-telling, healing, solidarity, and public witness. Its concluding message describes young ecumenists as contributors to the present and future of the ecumenical movement. GETI 2025 facilitator and EEF commissioner Rev. Dr Nathan Digby explained that a central goal of the WCC’s Ecumenical Theological Education work is to provide opportunities for emerging ecumenical leaders to be formed in ecumenism and to ensure that their voices are heard, encouraged, and shared with the wider church.  “The publication of GETI 2025: Voices and Visions for Transformative Unity gives concrete expression to this commitment,” he said. “As part of their theological formation, students participating in GETI 2025 developed academic papers exploring the theme of visible Christian unity in relation to their own theological interests, contexts, and experiences.” This volume recognizes and celebrates their intellectual and theological work while creating a platform through which their perspectives can contribute to broader conversations about the future of Christian unity, added Digby.  “By bringing these emerging voices together in one publication, GETI 2025: Voices and Visions for Transformative Unity not only documents an important dimension of the GETI experience but also invests in the next generation of ecumenical thinkers and leaders, whose insights and visions are essential for shaping a more transformative and visible unity among Christians.” Published by WCC Publications, the book offers churches, theological institutions, students, and ecumenical partners a rich resource for reflection and conversation on the future of Christian unity. The session also included the presentation of the GETI Visual Report and a short video featuring voices and moments of GETI 2025. The EEF Commission is meeting at the WCC Ecumenical Institute at Bossey 4-9 October. Download this publication GETI 2025 Visual Report Video: GETI 2025: a journey we will never forget WCC programme director strengthens strategic vision for ecumenical formation (WCC news release, 5 October 2026) Rev. Prof. Dr Meehyun Chung shares overview of WCC education, formation (WCC news release, 5 October 2026) WCC general secretary shares encouragement with WCC education commission (WCC news release, 5 October 2026) WCC Commission on Ecumenical Education and Formation to meet at Bossey (WCC news release, 30 September 2026) Photo gallery 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 356 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland