The Ottawa general council (17-27 August 1982) is rapidly approaching. It is with pleasure that we publish today the third preparatory brochure: The Alliance: Ottawa 1982 and Onwards. It contains:

The reports of the three WARC secretaries in which they analyse the main features of our life as a family of churches during this long period of almost twelve years. These reports will help the delegates to be fully aware of what is at stake when during the general council they make decisions that will determine the direction of the work of WARC in the coming years.

The document "The Reformed Witness Today". By the decision of the executive committee, this "call to common reflection and action" is submitted in advance to delegates since it, too, is an invitation to each of them to define more exactly what our Reformed contribution can and should be.

But this present brochure is not for delegates only! It should be read, studied, and commented on as widely as possible in our member churches. Only if this is done will the delegates be able to carry out their mandate at the general council effectively. The member churches of WARC will do well therefore to form small working groups to consider, together with their general council delegates, what position to take in respect of the many problems raised by these documents. They will, above all, give some thought to the essential guidelines that in their view should direct WARC in the coming years. Finally, I appeal to the readers of this brochure, to official or unofficial groups, to delegates, visitors, private individuals: let us have reactions, comments, criticisms, suggestions. Let us make good use of the weeks still left to us before the general council meets in Ottawa to generate an exchange and sharing of ideas that will really help the council to take decisions that truly reflect the general will. The secretaries themselves are very anxious to be able to take reactions communicated to them into account when they have to address the general council itself, or the commissions of theology and of cooperation and witness, respectively. For the reports in this brochure will not, of course, be read to the general council! Kindly send your comments, criticisms, suggestions, etc. to the WARC office in Geneva (150 route de Ferney, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland) to reach us by the end of May at the latest. This gives anyone who is interested an opportunity to participate actively - even if perhaps indirectly - in the common effort that will make the Ottawa general council an outstanding event in the history of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

Edmond Perret
General secretary

NB. The first two brochures are still available:

No.1 Bible studies on the theme "Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory'

No.2 Working documents for delegates: studies on various subjects to be considered by the general council. The three brochures are available in English, German, French and Spanish and may be ordered from the WARC office in Geneva.