At the opening plenary session on 3 December, the assembly will elect eight
committees. These committees will be responsible for preparing much of the
subsequent business for action by the assembly. From the list of delegates submitted by member churches, the Central and Executive Committees have prepared nominations for each of these committees. The names of additional members for any committee may be proposed to the Business Committee in writing, with the signatures of at least six delegates, within 24 hours of this plenary session. These written requests should be handed to one of the officers.
The Message Committee
is responsible for listening carefully to what is happening at the assembly in its worship life, small groups, hearings and Padare, plenaries and business sessions, contact with the local context and then drafting and presenting for adoption by delegates a text which captures the experience and hopes of those gathered in Harare. This message should serve as an encouragement and inspiration to Christians and the churches in their ecumenical commitment, and offer a clear and convincing Christian
witness to the world at large. Final Message Committee report -- 12 December 1998
The Finance Committee
discusses the finances of the WCC over the past seven years and financial projections for the period ahead and proposes general guidelines regarding financial matters for the new Central Committee to follow. Finance Report -- 11 December 1998
The Programme Guidelines Committee
prepares and presents for adoption by the assembly a report assessing the WCC's work during the past seven years and making recommendations for future work. Click here for a detailed explanation of the process of work of the Programme Guidelines Committee. Programme Guidelines Committee report -- 14 December 1998
The Public Issues Committee
prepares and presents for adoption draft statements on selected public issues, including ecumenical engagement in human rights. Click here for a detailed explanation of the process of dealing with public issues at the assembly. Final Public Issues Committee report -- 14 December 1998
Policy Reference Committee I
presents recommendations for assembly action on the reports of the moderator and general secretary, relations with member churches, other ecumenical bodies and the Roman Catholic Church, amendments to the Constitution and Rules of the WCC, and a response to the text on a Common Understanding and Vision of the WCC, as well as other matters referred to it by the assembly. On proposals for future WCC policy, the committee coordinates its work with the Programme Guidelines Committee. Policy Reference Committee I report -- 12 December 1998
Policy Reference Committee II
presents recommendations for assembly action on globalization, international debt and matters emerging from the plenary sessions on Africa and on the Ecumenical Decade Churches in Solidarity with Women, as well as other matters referred to it by the assembly. On proposals for future WCC policy, the committee coordinates its work with the Programme Guidelines Committee. Policy Reference Committee II report -- 12 December 1998
The Business Committee
coordinates the day-to-day work of the assembly, proposes changes to the agenda, reviews reports from other committees and decides how and when these should be presented to the assembly. Its membership includes representatives from all other assembly committees.
