One way of looking at the change that we have just described is that it represented the triumph of the Church of South India method of achieving unity. Make it happen and rationalise it later might be a rather prejudiced way of describing it, but it is not too far off the mark. The slogan used to be 'Doctrine divides', now it is more like 'Doctrine hinders'. The result is that doctrine is marginalised, at best. This of course fits in with the wider scene, which is 'touchy-feely' in its ethos and not rational and logical.
Ecumenical activity is now diffuse and unpredictable.
Neutrality There has been a change in the position of the Evangelical Alliance with reference to Ecumenism. Its Council voted unanimously not to take up observer status in the Inter Church Process. The Evangelical Alliance is therefore no longer arguing for 'benevolent neutrality' but, as it does not raise the ecumenical issue either with its member churches and organisations or with those who seek to join it, this change does not have any real value on the ground, which is where things are happening. There are churches that belong to the Evangelical Alliance who are for Ecumenism and others can seek membership in it while remaining active in the Inter Church Process. The Evangelical Alliance Bournemouth Declaration of 1996 does not mention the ecumenical issue.