"That all may have life in fullness" is the theme of the next general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, which will be held in Ghana in 2004. This was one of the principal decisions by the WARC executive committee, meeting in Bangalore at the invitation of the Church of South India from July 20 to 30 this year.

Drawn from the fourth gospel, the general council theme is loosely based on John 10.10: "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly."

"We live in a world in which all do not have life in fullness and the church cannot stand by unconcerned," explains general secretary, Dr Setri Nyomi. "A theme concerned with life both allows us and challenges us to take a critical look at our theology, spirituality and faith-mandated social engagement."

"In the early part of the 21st century, the church has a responsibility to engage in a critical self-review on the extent to which we have been instruments of God in bringing about and advocating life in fullness for all as a counter-force to all the powers of death around us."

The 23rd general council (Debrecen 1997) is best known for its call to member churches to engage at all levels of their life in a common process of recognition, education and confession of faith in relation to the deepening problems of worldwide economic injustice and environmental destruction. WARC leaders endorsed the theme of life as in clear continuity with the Debrecen discussion, but enabling the Alliance to take the argument a step forward.

Two countries - Ghana and Indonesia - were under consideration as possible venues for the council. Deciding between the two was not easy. In addition to appreciation for the Indonesian churches' eagerness to offer hospitality, there was a strong feeling of solidarity with the people of Indonesia in their current troubles - the executive committee also issued a statement on crimes against humanity in the Maluku islands. But uncertainty about the developing sociopolitical situation in Indonesia and the fact that the general council had not met in Africa for thirty years tipped the decision in favour of Ghana.

With only four years to prepare the council, the executive committee mandated the staff to develop comprehensive proposals for the council and appointed a preparatory committee to meet at the beginning of December 2000.

The general council is the Alliance's highest governing body, with delegates from each of its 214 member churches. It meets every seven or eight years.

Páraic Réamonn, communications secretary