World Council of Churches
CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Geneva, Switzerland
26 August - 2 September 2003

Policy Reference Committee I - Proposed Annotated Agenda


The Policy Reference Committee I will deal with certain matters that will also be dealt with by all other Reference Committees, i.e. the reports of the Moderator, the General Secretary and the Officers of the Central Committee and the assembly theme.

The proper agenda of Policy Reference Committee I will include the following issues:

  • Christian World Communions
  • Relations with the Roman Catholic Church
  • Relations with Pentecostals
  • Forum of Christian Churches and Ecumenical Organizations
  • Relations with Regional Ecumenical Organizations and National Councils of Churches
  • Towards a reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement
  • Report of the Steering Committee of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC
  • Visits and Visitors: an instrument for building and strengthening relationships with member churches and ecumenical partners

Practically all these issues are of an on-going nature, considered at each meeting of the Central Committee. For this reason, in order to assure continuity and assess progress, the Committee may wish to refer back, whenever appropriate, to its report to the previous Central Committee meeting in 2002.

Session I Thursday 28 August 16:30 – 18:00

1. Introduction to the work of the Committee

  • Welcome and introductions
  • Mandate and task of Policy Reference Committee I
  • Report of Policy Reference Committee I to the Central Committee in Geneva, 26 August – 2 September 2003
  • Procedures (drafting and reporting)
  • Adoption of the agenda

2. Reports of the Moderator, the General Secretary and the Officers of the Central Committee

The Committee is asked to discuss the reports and to forward its comments and observations, especially regarding the future ahead, to Policy Reference Committee II which will coordinate the reporting to the Central Committee.

Session II Thursday 28 August 18:15 – 19:15

3. Christian World Communions

Progress report on recent relationships with CWCs.

4. Relations with the Roman Catholic Church

Progress report on recent activities and the work of the Joint Working Group.

Session III Friday 29 August 14.30 – 16:00

5. Relations with Pentecostals

The Joint Consultative Group with Pentecostals held its third meeting, in November 2002 in Seoul, Korea and its fourth meeting in Cleveland, TN, USA in May 2003.

The Committee is invited to discuss relations and cooperation with Pentecostals, to review its two reports, to comment, advise and propose actions to be taken by Central Committee.

6. Forum of Christian Churches and Ecumenical Organizations

The Continuation Committee met in Amsterdam, 28 February-1 March 2003 and looked at the process and the objectives of the Forum in a long-term perspective.

The Committee is invited to assess the process outlined for the period of three to five years and to propose actions to be taken by Central Committee, if any.

Session IV Friday 29 August 16.30-18.00

7. Relations with Regional Ecumenical Organizations and National Councils of Churches

The annual meeting of the Group of General Secretaries of the REOs and the WCC was held in December 2002 in Geneva, followed by a meeting between the REOs and Ecumenical Agencies coordinated by the WCC.

The Committee is invited to offer its observations and advice, especially with regard to the December meetings.

8. Towards a reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement

The Committee is invited to offer its contribution to the reflection and study process, a contribution based on the experience in dealing with matters related to ecumenical partners (CWCs, REOs, NCCs, RCC). The Committee could also reflect on the ways to report to the assembly on a series of processes directly or indirectly related to this issue (e.g. forum; relationships with Pentecostal churches, etc.). The Committee may send its observations and advice to Policy Reference Committee III which will be responsible for bringing a proposal to the Central Committee.

Session V Friday 29 August 18:15 – 19:15

9. Assembly theme

The committee is asked to continue the discussion on the assembly theme and to forward its contribution to Policy Reference Committee III which will bring a final proposal to the Central Committee.

Session VI Saturday 30 August 09:00 – 10:30

10. Report of the Steering Committee of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC

The Steering Committee had its first meeting in Neapolis, Greece, June 4-7, 2003. Its comments and suggestions will be forwarded to appropriate reference committees and/or consultative bodies (e.g. "consensus" matters to Policy Reference III; matters related to ecclesiology and baptism to Faith and Order). The Committee will receive input from Policy Reference Committee III on membership and will have the responsibility of formulating the minutes to the Central Committee on this matter.

Policy Reference Committee I is invited to discuss the report and to focus: (a) on matters related to membership, and (b) on common prayer (also in the light of a hearing that will take place during the Central Committee meeting).

Session VII Saturday 30 August 11:00 – 12:30

11. Visits and Visitors: an instrument for building and strengthening relationships with member churches and ecumenical partners

Report on activities and information on attempts to formulate a house-wide strategy for visits to member churches and receiving visitors in the ecumenical centre.

The Committee is invited to receive the progress report and to make suggestions.

12. Unfinished business

Session VIII Saturday 30 August 14:30 – 16:00

13. Draft report to the Central Committee

Reading and discussion of the draft of the report of the committee.

Session IX Saturday 30 August 16:30 – 18:00

14. Final report to the Central Committee.

Final discussion and approval of the report of Policy Reference Committee I to the Central Committee.


DOCUMENT LIST

(Policy Reference Committee I)

  • Members of sub-committees (as Policy Reference Committee I)
  • Mandate and task of Policy Reference Committees
  • Report of Policy Reference Committee I to the Central Committee in Geneva, 26 August – 2 September 2003
  • Agenda and annotated agenda
  • Report of the Moderator of the Central Committee
  • Report of the General Secretary of the WCC
  • Report of the Officers of the Central Committee
  • Progress report on recent relationships with Christian World Communions
  • Progress report on recent activities and the work of the Joint Working Group (relations with the Roman Catholic Church)
  • Reports of two Joint Consultative Group with Pentecostals meetings
  • Report of the Continuation Committee, Amsterdam Feb-March 2003 - Forum of Christian Churches and Ecumenical Organizations
  • Report on relations with Regional Ecumenical Organizations & National Councils of Churches
  • Assembly theme report
  • Report of the Steering Committee of the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC
  • Report on activities and information on attempts to formulate a house-wide strategy for visits to member churches and receiving visitors in the ecumenical centre