For some considerable time, the Reformed churches have lacked an opportunity to discuss and agree on the missionary task entrusted to them. If they are to bear witness credibly today, however, they must tackle this question and try to find together an answer to such questions as the following: What does mission mean in today's world? What does it mean to be a missionary community today? What steps must be taken to enable us to bear effective witness together today not only at local and regional levels but also at the world level?

In each generation, the question of the missionary task presents itself afresh. What are the new elements and aspects to be taken into account today as compared with earlier times? What is an adequate theology of mission and evangelism for our time?

The Reformed churches have today become a worldwide fellowship to a far greater degree than ever before. What implications does this have for the Reformed churches?

How do we see the relationship between "mission" and "unity"? What is the connection between them? The Reformed churches today are divided in many respects. What have we to say about these divisions in the light of our missionary calling? What kind of unity are we seeking?

What have the Reformed churches to contribute to the ecumenical movement on the basis of their understanding of "mission" and "unity"?

Understanding of the missionary mandate

(see in particular the report of the consultation on "Mission and Unity", pp.7-37).

What does holy scripture say about the church's missionary task? When mission and evangelism are discussed, reference is frequently made to the Risen Christ's commission to the disciples (Mt 28.18-20). Reference to this one passage can easily lead, however, to a narrowing of our view of the missionary task. If a more complete picture is to be achieved, other scriptural passages need to be adduced. Which biblical emphases are especially important today?

In the final analysis, the missionary mandate of the Risen Lord to his church undoubtedly remains the same in all ages. It nevertheless makes different demands in each situation. What does this radical diversity of situations imply for the way we are required today to understand the missionary mandate? In view of this diversity of challenges and opportunities, in what sense can we regard the worldwide church today as a missionary fellowship?

The active commitment of the Reformed churches to mission and evangelism has a long history. The missionary mandate is deeply rooted in their theology and spirituality. In face of the understanding of mission required of us today, what values are to be found in the Reformed tradition to help us? What has this tradition to contribute? To what extent does it require to be corrected in the light of our experience today?

Among the Reformed churches today, the question of how we are to understand the missionary mandate is in various aspects in dispute. How, for example, is the proclamation of the gospel related to social and political issues, and vice versa? What do we mean by the call to conversion? How do we understand the relation between conversion, new birth and baptism? What have we to say about the coming of the kingdom of God? What have we to say about our responsibility for justice, peace and the integrity of creation? Dialogue and cooperation among the Reformed churches are often hampered and even prevented altogether by conflicting views on these questions. How are we to deal intelligently and creatively with these conflicts?

What is our attitude to the dialogue with adherents of other religions?

The question of unity and division among Reformed churches

(see in particular the chapter "A call to unity within the Reformed family").

The picture presented by the Reformed churches today is one which baffles description. In hardly a single country in our world today is there one single Reformed church uniting all the Reformed Christians in that country. How has this situation come about?

Why is it that Reformed churches in particular succumb so easily to the temptation to divide? Is the explanation to be found in certain aspects of their theology and spirituality?

What steps can be taken today towards greater unity among Reformed churches?

The commitment of the Reformed churches within the ecumenical movement

(see in particular the two chapters 4 and 5, pp.58-83)

The Ottawa general council declared: "Faced with a plurality of churches throughout the world, we have a choice between claiming to be the one true church to which all others ought eventually to come and, on the other hand seeking the fullness of Christ's church by entering into dialogue and fellowship with those other churches which share with us the gospel."

What are the theological reasons which constrain us to this commitment within the ecumenical movement?

What do we mean by visible unity? Which models of unity do we favour?

In recent years, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches has conducted a series of dialogues with other confessional traditions. What do these dialogues imply for the way we understand ourselves? What conclusions do we draw from them for our relationship to other confessions?

The role of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches

(see in particular the recommendations).

The "Mission and Unity" report proposes that the theme "Mission and Unity" be made one of the central themes of the World Alliance from now on. How does this proposal strike us? What would its adoption actually mean for the World Alliance and its work?

What is the role of the World Alliance in efforts to achieve greater unity among the Reformed churches?

What in our view is the relationship between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the World Council of Churches?

In what ways should the World Alliance continue the dialogue with other confessional traditions?