The number of member churches in the WCC continues to grow, but according to Orthodox ecclesiological principles the number of Orthodox churches will not grow significantly beyond their present number. For the churches of the Reformation, the impulse has been to multiply the number of churches. For the Orthodox, the ecclesiological approach does not easily or quickly allow the creation of new self- governing churches. Simply put, given the constitutional framework of the WCC, the Orthodox churches are not represented commensurate with their place within world Christianity. A number of proposals have been advanced to address this imbalance.
None is as yet satisfactory to all parties.
But we are convinced that the present structure must be modified. The other concern relates to ethos, to mindset and ways of proceeding. Even more important than the constitutional question is the question of the manner in which priorities for the Council are set. While as part of its general restructuring the Council needs to address questions of church representation, the Council also needs to be held to its foundational principles. Finally, the Council needs to be true to its identity as a council of churches and not of movements or communities of goodwill 9.