In February 2005, the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee met for the last time before the Council's 9th assembly, which will take place in Porto Alegre in 2006.

For central committee, preparing the assembly also meant envisaging the future, with a reshaped WCC "doing less, but doing it well", and a fellowship of churches deeply rooted in spirituality.

The committee adopted a consensus model of decision-making, that will help the members of WCC governing bodies to grow in a spirit of listening and respect of different opinions, rather than having winners and losers.

In a series of public statements, the WCC central committee members reminded church and political leaders of their responsibilities in overcoming violence and injustice worldwide.