01 Mar 2006

March 2006 - World Council of Churches Assembly

In Porto Alegre, Brazil, 14th-23rd February, 2006

Participants gathered for daily worship at the Meeting Tent
Choir sings in the big tent
Diversity Flag
Orientation Plenary
Bible Study - Spanish Group
The March to end Violence Against Women and Children
The 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches came to close on the 23rd of February 2006 at the sprawling university campus. It began on the 14th to a very colorful but meaningful worship service. Throughout the assembly our day began and ended with worship in a large tent. Worshipping under a huge tent reminded us that we were a people on the move, just like the people in the Old Testament. The worship services were enriched by the presence of a 50-60 member choir drawn from various churches in Porto Alegre. Worshipping together was the highlight of our life together. We were also blessed by the richness of the various traditions who led in the worship services. This was followed by bible study in small groups. The study centered on the theme "God in your Grace, Transform the World." Around 4000 people from all over the world and from different traditions came together for this 'once in 7 year' assembly. The rest of the day is set aside for plenaries, presentations, etc.

The prime purpose of the churches meeting once in seven years is to worship, study God's word, pray together, listen to the concerns of each other, review the work of the Council for the last seven years and also to set goals for the next seven years.

Some of the highlights of this Assembly are as follows.

There was great emphasis on prayer and spirituality. This was called a youth assembly where great emphasis was placed for the participation and involvement of youth in the whole life of the assembly.

Mutirao, a Brazilian word meaning a meeting place and an opportunity to work together for a common purpose, allowed the hundreds of non official delegates to participate in the life of the Assembly. It was designed to enrich the Assembly's programmes and strengthen its spiritual life.

Ecumenical Conversations was where hundreds of delegates and youth took the opportunity to engage in dialogue on a variety of subjects including mission, church unity, inter religious dialogue, political and social issues and other items of ecumenical concerns.

The consensus model for making decisions. This was a very important but new way for making decisions. It was more than just a change of procedures. It was also about building a culture in which all have a place and the minority do not feel marginalized by the majority. A minority view can be overruled as long as their point of view has been heard fully and fairly. The old debating in the parliamentary style created an atmosphere or 'for or against' rather than supporting co-operative listening and thinking. The parliamentary method place more emphasis on the individual first, whereas the consensus model places emphasis on the community. (The Methodist Church in Malaysia should carefully study this model for its manner in doing things. There is much to be gained). - (this is the view of the writer of this article)

There is so much that can be written about the Assembly suffice for me to add some of my personalChristian Identity & Religious Plurality Plenary experiences. The assembly enabled me to see the importance of visible church unity for we are a force to be reckoned when we are united. The Assembly provided me great opportunities to converse, fellowship, pray, study God's word, and in this to experience what 'being community' is. It also gave me an opportunity to experience various Christian traditions and to understand their outlook on life and especially on their understanding of 'spirituality'. It took me 24 hours (one way) to get to Porto Alegre but I am grateful for the learning experience. The Assembly and all that it had to offer has enriched my life and I believe, will help me understand, relate and respond to the various kinds of people and challenges that will come my way.

For more information you can visit the following web site: www.wcc-coe.org

Anthony Row