What will happen in Crete?

At its 2009 meeting in Crete, the Faith and Order Plenary Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC), known as the world's most representative forum for theological dialogue, will discuss three main topics: 

What it means to be church

One outcome of the commission's work during recent years, the study on The Nature and Mission of the Church has the potential to become an ecumenical landmark. After having received comments from the churches, it is now time to make decisions on the continuation of the work. 

Sources of authority

By looking at how churches use sources of authority, the commission will take a new approach to the old debate around "Scripture versus Tradition", moving it from a theoretical discussion towards a sharing of experiences.

Moral discernment

Through the examination of case studies – some of them on controversial issues like proselytism, homosexuality and stem-cell research – the commission will critically look at how churches arrive at their positions on moral issues. The goal is to begin the process of developing an ecumenically recognized set of steps for the churches' moral discernment.