WCC news: WCC, Pentecostal World Fellowship deepen unity in diversity

The Joint Consultative Group between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pentecostal World Fellowship held a meeting from 4–7 June, alongside the Pentecostal World Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The meeting was hosted at Siion Church. Photo: WCC 10 June 2025 The Joint Consultative Group engaged in Bible studies, shared ecclesial stories and personal faith journeys, reflected on Christian diversity, and reaffirmed common methodologies for future work.  Daily sessions were accompanied by morning prayers organized by group members. Diversity was recognized as a gift of the life-giving Spirit. It was acknowledged that recognizing diversity within one’s own church helps cultivate appreciation for diversity in others who are part of the Body of Christ. The diversity present in the churches was seen as an invitation to value and learn from the different languages and vocabularies each uses to express faithful discipleship.  The Joint Consultative Group affirmed several key theological insights, including that diversity should reflect the communion of the triune God; and that there should be no division in the Body of Christ.  Theological reflections and storytelling will continue to guide the group’s methodology, helping to reveal the ways God is working through diversity to bring about unity. Next year’s focus will be on “Purpose.” Grounded in love and strengthened by the Spirit, the Joint Consultative Group will seek to discern the collective purpose that binds Christians together. Key questions will include: What is the collective purpose that unites us? How can we work collaboratively in alignment with God’s plan? At 27th Pentecostal World Conference, WCC general secretary urges “we need one another to better discern the voice of Christ” (WCC news release, 4 June 2025) 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC news: WCC, Pentecostal Joint Consultative Group reflects on “faith in service and love for one another”

A Joint Consultative Group (JCG) between the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pentecostal World Fellowship met from 18-22 October at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.  The Joint Consultative Group between the World Council of Churches and the Pentecostal World Fellowship gathered in Bossey. Photo: Gloria Charles/WCC 25 October 2024 In a communiqué, the group described the primary objectives: to foster relationships among participants, share the priorities of the parent bodies, provide a comprehensive understanding of the history and accomplishments of the group so far, reflect on the terms of reference for the current mandate, engage in Bible studies, share personal faith journeys and ecclesial stories, reflect on foundations of faith, determine the methodologies for future work, and engage inter-generationally with the students of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey.  Daily sessions were accompanied by morning and evening prayer organized by Bossey students or group members. The Joint Consultative Group heard four presentations on the foundations of faith, including creeds and councils, marks of the church, baptism, and Nicaea and the Spirit.  The group came together for prayer, study, and fellowship in the power of the Resurrection.  The communique concluded with the group giving thanks to God for this opportunity to serve the church and expresses gratitude for the generous hospitality of the WCC. “The JCG prays that future gatherings continue to reflect the grace of the Triune God, guiding us to live out our faith in service and love for one another,” the communique concluded. Read the full communiqué 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland