In 1989, the 22nd Warc general council in Seoul "call(ed) its member churches to recognize and declare that the present global economic order is immoral and must be changed to one that is just and produces conditions in which justice, well-being and wholeness are possible." (Minutes, p.200) This call is increasingly relevant and urgent as many proclaim the "triumph of capitalism" and the absolute dominance of the free market economy on a global scale.

In May of this year, Warc convened a small consultation of theologians and economists to advise the Alliance in developing a process to guide member churches in serious reflection on faith and economic life. It is anticipated that this process will engage member churches in study and action as well as prepare the Alliance community to reach some common understanding on this issue at the next Warc general council in 1997.

All of the authors in this issue of Reformed World participated in the consultation. Each one offers challenges emerging from theological and economic analysis well-grounded in the economic and political realities of his or her own context. Although they come from very different regions including Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and North America, there is a striking commonality of analysis: present economic structures and systems based on capitalism are failing to meet the needs of the most needy and vulnerable. So too they share the common understanding that our Christian faith requires that we must stand, as does our God, on the side of the oppressed.

We are grateful to have had access to drafts of the World Council of Churches study paper "Abundant Life for All; Christian Faith and the World Economy Today" which was adopted by the WCC central committee in August 1992. Several of our authors make reference to the drafts in their articles. This is a valuable paper which we encourage Warc friends and churches to study.

These articles do not provide a set of answers. But we hope they engage us in deeper reflection and encourage us on a journey together as Reformed Christians seeking to live out our faith in society.

Sarah Stephens