Gathering around the 24th general council theme, "That All may have Life in Fullness" (John 10.10), is an opportunity for Alliance churches to reflect together on the world in which we live while confessing and celebrating our common faith.

The Nkrumah mausoleum, Accra

Many member churches have commented on the theme. They confirm that the threats to life, the need for peace and reconciliation, the impact of poverty on health and education, the degradation of the environment, the concern for human rights and sustainable development are central to their agenda.

They have been quick to affirm the need to go beyond a secular discussion; to keep at the heart of our common reflection the mission of the church, the strength of our covenant as a family of churches in the face of injustice, and the meaning of our life in community; and to focus on discerning God's will for our response.

Mission

Many churches find themselves challenged to rethink their understanding of mission.

• Present in the world: life-giving mission

The Presbyterian Church of Venezuela reflects on "fullness of life as a means of transformation" and reminds us that our testimony in word and deed is for the purpose of "making the world believe".

In the face of structural adjustment programmes that divert government funds from basic social services, many churches are challenged to do more than provide health care and education.

The Church of Bangladesh has expanded its 32-hostel mission to orphaned children by opening the Christ Church Trade School to provide three-year degrees in mechanics, carpentry and engineering.

In southern Africa, church-run homes for children orphaned by Aids - such as Messiah Ministries in Zambia - are opening the world's eyes to the social devastation of the HIV/Aids epidemic. Churches are campaigning for affordable medication.

• Partners in God's mission: changing patterns

Churches that once worked unilaterally are now doing mission in unity with other Reformed churches. Churches that once excluded women from leadership are recognizing the role of women in the mission of the church. Churches that once met their partners only abroad are now finding them at home as well: Indonesian churches in the Netherlands, Korean churches in Germany, Ghanaian churches in the United States. From the Netherlands, the Remonstrant Brotherhood raises the challenge of working with "non-Christian movements that are also concerned with promoting life in fullness".

• Not alone in the world: other peoples, other faiths

Some Reformed churches are religious majorities, but most are religious minorities. All live and witness in plural societies. Churches in India and Pakistan are concerned with interfaith tensions, caused by religious fundamentalism. Churches such as those in Ambon and Bali live in the midst of interreligious violence. Churches in northeast Asia reflect on the theme in light of their day-to-day experience in multifaith societies. Churches in Europe and North America, to whom interfaith dialogue is relatively new, want discussion on its doctrinal and practical implications.

Covenanting for justice

The 23rd general council (Debrecen 1997) called Alliance churches to "recognize, educate and confess" regarding economic injustice and ecological destruction.

• Justice in the economy

Churches in the south highlight the negative impact of an economic system that excludes their people, asking if this does not call us to confess our faith. Churches in the north speak of their struggle to impact their governments and to nurture alternative ways of living. In the face of a world economy that favours profit over life and accumulates wealth in the hands of a few, churches everywhere are concerned with life in fullness for all.

• Sabbath rest for creation

Churches highlight their concern for creation and, in particular, about climate change. Churches in the Pacific ask how life in fullness is possible when their islands are threatened by rising sea-levels and polluted by the dumping of toxic waste from other parts of the world (in the Solomon Islands, for example). The United Church of Canada presses for political solutions, but sees the churches' main role as addressing the spiritual dimensions of justice for creation.

• The need for peace and stability

Reflecting on civil unrest, the Protestant Church of Christ the King writes, "the people of the Central African Republic do not yet have life in fullness". In response, it seeks national reconciliation and promotes the "dream of a new life reflecting love and unity in Christ".

Many churches, such as the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), respond to global unrest and the US "war on terrorism" by questioning the logic of policies "aimed at peace but founded on military might". They identify the global arms trade as a major contributor to conflict and instability.

• Covenanting for life

The Presbyterian Church of Colombia speaks for many: "Our covenant for the defence of human life, community life and the creation is a necessary sign of obedience and faithfulness to God's law over and above the laws of the powerful". We need an "inclusive dream" of a just economy in which "hope is the source of strength, information the source of power; education leads to participation; the gospel is salt and yeast renewing abundant life; and the prophetic mission of the churches serves those who have been sacrificed to the prevailing economic system".

Spirituality and community

Many churches hope that common reflection on the theme and sharing of experiences will help in church renewal. "Fullness of life," writes one, "is witnessed to by a therapeutic community in which faith and solidarity assist, heal, integrate and accompany all people."

• Renewing Reformed worship

In many churches, young people are bringing new life to worship. Gospel and cultures discussions are leading churches to incorporate cultural expressions of dance, music, symbol and story in worship, making it more meaningful. Charismatic revival is a challenge facing many of our churches. Discerning when and how to embrace renewal is not always easy. Churches face challenges as varied as Christian rap music and deliverance ministries.

• Fullness of life - freedom and salvation

Churches highlight the need to reflect on the message of salvation contained in the theme. Some caution us against the theology of material abundance, others emphasize that the "upward call in Christ Jesus" inherent in the theme must be at the heart of our reflection.

Drawing on the Old Testament association of life with freedom and the promise of life offered to those who do justice, the church in Colombia describes life in fullness as a "collective motivation for freedom" and the gospel vision of life as "both a reward for believing and the gift of salvation".

• Celebration of life

Many churches express the hope that Accra will be a gathering of prayer and song, a celebration of life in Jesus Christ. They ask if there will be an Accra hymn, if worship materials will be gathered and shared with congregations around the world. They look forward to sharing in the rich worship life of our Ghanaian host churches.

Douglas L Chial