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Taking as its starting point the 1966 World Conference on Church and Society in Geneva, which marked the beginnings of a fundamental change in the understanding of ecumenical social ethics within the World Council of Churches (WCC), this article discusses the role of the conference in this shift in perspective from the idea of the "responsible society" to the emergence of a form of postcolonial ecumenism. It traces the emergence of the responsible society as a guiding principle for the WCC and, in particular, the role in this of the US social ethicist Paul Abrecht, as well as how a focus on rapid social change helped strengthen and consolidate churches in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These churches would then articulate the beginnings of a postcolonial understanding of ecumenical social ethics at the Geneva conference, which would in turn lead to the development of new programmes on social justice after the WCC's 4th Assembly in Uppsala in 1968. The article concludes by discussing the tension between the two guiding principles in the decade that followed the Uppsala assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the role played by Konrad Raiser in the World Council of Churches (WCC), from 1969, when he joined the staff as a study secretary, to his time as general secretary from 1993 to 2003, and especially his role in the conciliar process for Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation. As general secretary, Raiser played a key role in supporting and encouraging the churches' witness for peace and nonviolence, strengthening the fellowship of churches within the WCC through the process to develop a 'Common Understanding and Vision' and the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC. Keywords Konrad Raiser, World Council of Churches, ecumenical movement, conciliar process, Decade to Overcome Violence, Orthodox churches, Konrad Raiser served as general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) from 1993 to 2003, but first joined the staff of the WCC in 1969 as study secretary [...]

The article offers a perspective on a pilgrimage of justice and peace in search of God's presence in the world. Topics discussed include the significance of the ecumenical movement to the German churches and people, God's own pilgrimage, and concerns that the German churches and ecumenical groups want to consider to join God's pilgrimage of justice and peace.

Discusses the ethical issues related to the educational workshops at the 1998 World Council of Churches assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe. Journey of Christians towards a life glorifying the gospel; Advantages and disadvantages of pilgrimage; Signposts for an ecumenical pilgrimage.

Focuses on the social relevance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Importance for Christians to participate in society; Efforts of the World Council of Churches to address the issues and problems brought about by globalization; Social and economic impact of economic restructuring which becomes necessary with the advent of globalization.

Focuses on the role of global movements in global ethics. Declaration of the 'Towards a Global Ethic' project in 1993; Account on the Earth Charter process; History of ecumenical social thought and action; Impact of the economic globalization on religious communities.

The article discusses the importance of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer as representation of Christ existing as community beyond the boundaries of particular identities, divisions and enmities. Topics include the link between the ecumenical movement and the community of Jesus Christ and the new humanity, the strength and decisiveness of Bonhoeffer's witness to Christ until the end, and the Psalms as the theologian's prayer book of Jesus the Jew in opposition to anti-Semitic heresies.