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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of the Risen Lord!
On behalf of the 345 WCC member churches, representing Christians from the Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and United church traditions, I would like to extend the warmest congratulations on the occasion of the election of Rev. Christopher Ferguson as the next general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
As a communion of churches deeply committed to justice, the long tradition of this ministry is well assured with the election of Rev. Chris Ferguson. His Gospel commitment to social justice, economic justice and peace-building will surely be a hallmark of his leadership.
The general secretary-elect has significant experience as a minister of word and sacrament, as a missionary of the Gospel and as a leader of the United Church of Canada. His ecumenical experience, which includes representing the World Council of Churches to the United Nations in New York and at the ecumenical centre in Jerusalem, where we first met, will help the WCRC to continue its fundamental commitment to being ecumenical in dialogue and action.
The member churches of the World Communion can be encouraged at this time to be served by another general secretary with the gift of pastoral solidarity. One who will listen to, accompany and honour the experience of each member church. Rev. Chris Ferguson has spent a life-time of solidarity with people seeking justice and struggling for peace around the world.
The World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Churches share a common vision for unity and justice and I look forward to our continued collaboration as partners in the one ecumenical movement.
May God continue to bless Rev. Christopher Ferguson with strong faith, inspire and uphold him in service to the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
WCC general secretary
