Preface

The 21st general council of the Alliance (Ottawa 1982) was an extraordinary experience for those participating in it: more than 300 delegates, 30 ecumenical delegates, 21 consultants, quite a number of staff, interpreters, stewards, and around 500 visitors, a total approaching one thousand.

A new awareness of what it means to belong together in the Reformed family became evident. Not only on the part of a few church leaders who were already committed to the work, but also of many church representatives, both lay and clergy, who up till now more or less remained on the sidelines. It is a new awareness of what the Reformed family is and what it can accomplish in the sphere of world affairs, as well as on the ecumenical scene.

The book of proceedings contains the official record of what took place in Ottawa, Canada, from August 17 to 27 1982.¹ Readers will find here the minutes of the plenary sessions of the assembly, reports of sections and committees, resolutions, sermons and addresses, as well as lists of participants, committees and member churches. The Alliance programme for the coming years has been mandated by the assembly.

I should like to pay tribute to the recording secretary of the assembly, Principal Dr William Klempa, without whose care and accuracy the publication of this book would have been impossible.

Another publication contains the final revision of a text which was adopted in its general outline in Ottawa: Called to Witness to the Gospel Today. It is at the same time an attempt to identify the issues facing "the Reformed witness today" (the title of the Ottawa committee which dealt with the matter), and an instrument offered to WARC member churches for study and action. Such a programme, if adequately grasped by the churches, will certainly prove to be one of the major outcomes of the Alliance's general council in 1982.

Edmond Perret, general secretary (1970-1989)

Notes