Appendix IV

EXTRACT FROM THE RECORD OF
THE IMC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE
on
INTER-CHURCH AID

The Joint Committee reviewed the developments in the work of the Division and noted with satisfaction the immense service rendered by the Division in lands outside Europe. The Committee considered certain questions and difficulties referred to it, and recognized the progress made in the resolution of problems which have arisen as a result of the expanded activity of the Division in Asia and Africa.

In particular, the Committee noted with gratification the closer collaboration which has been effected by administrative arrangements such as the following:

Revised procedure for the preparation of listings:

Arrangements by which the General Secretary of the IMC circulates I.C.A. programmes, arranges missionary participation in the Annual Consultation of the Division, and facilitates staff consultation;

Enlargement of the Administrative Committee of the Division to allow for the representation of missionary interests;

Inclusion of missionary representation at the Annual Consultation;

Provision on the staff of the Division for an additional member with missionary experience;

Modification of the functions and membership of the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Conference of the World Council;

Appointment of a staff member of the East Asia Joint Secretariat with special responsibility for Inter-Church Aid.

In view of the above, the Joint Committee

RESOLVES:

(1) That it records its satisfaction with the operation of the 1953 agreement as to work in the field of Emergency Inter-Church Aid and Relief (Minutes of Staten Island Ad Interim Committee, p. 89, Central Committee Minutes.

(2) That it considers the statement of categories in the Herren alb Minutes, with accompanying notes, to be a sufficient basis of operations for the present.

(3) That it recognizes these categories to be of two kinds:

Joint Committee

July 1957

A. With regard to categories a. and b. of the Herren alb
Minutes, DICASR has full competence to act on behalf
of both bodies, in accordance with the 1953 agreement.

B. With regard to categories c. to f. inclusive of the Herren alb Minutes, whether the Division or the I.M.C. deal with situations to which these categories apply either organization shall work in consultation with the other, using such procedures and liaison arrangements as those indicated above.

4. That staff members be asked to compile a document showing authorizations and other actions which currently apply to the authority and methods of operation of DICASR and the provisions for collaboration between the Division and the I.M.C.

5. That the Joint Committee welcomes the formation of the E.A.C.C. and the contribution it will bring to the parent bodies in the development of plans and relationships for Inter-Church Aid in the world as a whole and particularly in the area of the Conference.

+++++++

REPORT OF

THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE I.M.C. AND W.C.C.

TO

THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE W.C.C.

New Haven, Conn.

August 3, 1957.

Opening Remarks

of the Chairman of the Joint Committee

The Central Committee will recall that, when the Joint Committee was reconstituted in 1954, it was charged, among other things:

"to study the advantages, disadvantages and implications of a full integration of the International Missionary Council and the World Council of Churches";

and that, at the meeting of the Central Committee in Hungary a year ago, the Joint Committee reported its opinion that:

"the time has come when consideration should be given to the possibility of full integration between the World Council of Churches and the International Missionary Council, subject to an adequate safeguarding in any plan of integration of the distinctive expression of the mission of the Church as this has been embodied in the International Missionary Council",

and asked for permission "to undertake the formulation -- in the fullest possible consultation with all concerned -- of a draft plan of integration" for presentation to the W.C.C. Central Committee at this time and to the I.M.C. Assembly at Ghana in December - January, 1957-58. Approval of this proposal was given by the Central Committee at Calyeteto, and subsequently by the interim body of the International Missionary Council.

II.

Much of the past twelve months has been given to the discharge of that

2.

mandate. The Joint Committee has sought to fulfill the directive for the "fullest
possible consultation with all concerned". Its secretary, Dr. Goodall, undertook
an extended visitation to the Scandinavian countries for consultations with the
missionary leaders there, where misgivings concerning the wisdom of integration
were known to be held. From time to time during the year, he has conferred with
church leaders in other countries of the European continent and Great Britain.
The East Asia Christian Conference at Prapat afforded an exceptionally favorable
occasion for a number of members of the Joint Committee to discover prevailing
viewpoints among responsible leaders of the Asian Churches and Councils. During
a recent visit to South America, the chairman of the Joint Committee had an
opportunity for formal or informal conversations with most of the ecumenical
church leaders in six of the most important South American countries. Then,
the meetings here at New Haven have been preceded by a Consultation called by the
Officers of the I.M.C. and participated in by some thirty persons drawn from its
constituency throughout the world, which spent the greater part of two days in a
full and critical examination of the advantages and disadvantages of integration
as well as the preliminary draft plan. Thus, in formulating its Report, the
Joint Committee has felt that it was well informed as to attitudes widely held
within the membership of both Councils.

The preparation of a preliminary draft plan was undertaken by a subcommittee
of ten members of the Joint Committee, meeting with the Officers of the two
Councils, at Lambeth Palace last April; in two days of intensive work the sub-
committee was able to arrive at a unanimous formulation. That preliminary draft
was thoroughly scrutinized and recast by the full Joint Committee last week; its
conclusions are embodied in the document which is now presented for the Central
Committee's consideration.

### III.

In its Report a year ago, the Joint Committee offered no judgment on the basic question of whether the two Councils should look forward toward integration at an early date, but only that the time had come when it should receive consideration; although it was apparent during its discussions at Herren alb that almost all members of the Joint Committee had already been led to an affirmative conviction as to the rightness of integration.

In its discussions last week, the Joint Committee inevitably felt constrained to give much thought to this prior question. The two Councils will expect some indication of the Joint Committee's judgment, not only as to the structure of a plan of possible integration, but also as to the wisdom of moving forward toward the realization of an integrated Council. That question is posed at the outset of the INTRODUCTION to this Report: "Why should the two world bodies become integrated into a single organism?" And the Joint Committee's positive answer to that question is clearly and frankly set forth.

That answer declares the preponderant, though not unanimous, judgment of the Committee. Indeed, the Committee has taken with utmost seriousness its mandate to study not only the "implications" and the "advantages" of integration, but also any possible "disadvantages". The better part of a day was given over to a detailed examination of misgivings regarding integration which may be held within the constituencies of both Councils. For example, the issue has thus far had less full consideration among some of the Orthodox member-churches of the World Council, whose relations with the World Mission as represented in the International Missionary Council have been somewhat different from those of most of the other member-churches of the World Council. Questionings which arise from the familiar contrast in the organizational structures of the two world bodies -- the fact that the World Council is a Council of *Churches* while the International Missionary Council is a Council of *missionary councils* and *National Christian*

4.

**Councils** -- especially as these questionings are found in certain European and Younger Church Councils, were thoroughly explored. More particularly, much consideration was given to the fact that developments are at different stages in various areas of the world, notably in Asia and in Africa and Latin America. The Committee has sought to take fullest account in its proposals of these differences and of the difficulties arising from them. It is recognized that integration might result in a somewhat less active and enthusiastic participation by some of the present constituency of the International Missionary Council, although at this stage it is difficult, indeed impossible, to forecast how serious such defections might prove to be. It could hardly be expected that changes so far reaching as the union of the two Councils could be effected without some loss. But it should be unmistakably clear that the assured "advantages" more than outweigh the possible "disadvantages". On this point, the overwhelming opinion within the Joint Committee is considered, convinced and positive. Indeed, it is strongest among those who have been wrestling with the question unitedly over the longest time; and the Committee has noted a steady movement of conviction within its own membership toward that conclusion.

IV.

At least three sets of considerations have weighed heavily in leading the minds of the Committee toward this conclusion -- one arising out of the historic developments which have brought the two world bodies to this hour, a second implicit in the actualities of their present life and work, the third coming to them as they turn their thought toward the future and seek to discern the calling of God to them for the times into which they are moving.

1. No one can reexamine the course over which the two movements have been led without noting that their paths have followed not simply parallel but increasingly converging lines. Both sprang, directly or indirectly, in considerable measure from the Edinburgh World Missionary Conference of 1910. Since the first

5.

projection of the World Council, its right and most fruitful relation to the older
International Missionary Council has been a major concern of the leaders of both
bodies; and, from the outset, their collaboration was provided for through a
Joint Committee and, in the original plan, a joint secretary. As we all know,
even before the World Council was formally constituted at Amsterdam, they had
been led to the creation of their first and one of their most effective joint
agencies, the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs. The major
subsequent steps in ever closer collaboration are familiar: their formal
"association" since Amsterdam; the establishment of the Joint East Asia Secretariat;
the widening mandate and shared responsibility in Interchurch Aid; the reconstit-
tion and strengthening of the Joint Committee; the complete union of their research
and study programs after Evanston. It is important to note that each of these
successive steps has been jointly determined upon not in deference to some a priori
theory or pattern, but in response to the urgent demands for the more effective
discharge of concrete tasks recognized by both bodies as common responsibilities.
The upshot, as has often been remarked, is that functional integration over wide
areas is already an accomplished fact, passing far beyond what is implied in the
formal relationship of "association". It has also had the result that the hope
expressed at Amsterdam -- that their "association" might deepen "the mission
consciousness of churches and the church-consciousness of missions" -- has been
fulfilled beyond all expectation. These facts of history have led to the recog-
nition of what this Report speaks of as an "inherent logic" in their relationship --
a logic which should not be interpreted deterministically or fatalistically, but
which many are led to recognize as "providential", and which appears to be directing
the two bodies toward a more complete unity for the better fulfillment of their
common calling. It has caused many to believe that the full integration of the
two Councils is no longer a question of "whether" but rather of "when".

6.

2. When we examine their present relationships, however, the considerations favoring integration are not solely the result of their recent history. Increasingly, their leaders discover that the problems which trouble them most deeply and the calls which press upon them most insistently are akin, indeed often identical, and require of them a united response. They find it natural and appropriate, indeed inescapable, to think and plan and act together, as though the two bodies were already one. In all these respects, there is a manifest acceleration in the process of "growing together", due less to deliberate design than to the same inherent inner logic. Moreover, as the Younger Churches advance, the constituencies of the two Councils are more and more the same. And, as the Report points out, pressure for integration comes with growing insistence from churches and councils which desire to be related to a single body concerned with both the mission and the unity of the Church; or, as the General Secretary stated in his annual report, "from the heart of the ecumenical movement itself!"

3. In the judgment of the Joint Committee, however, the major imperative toward integration comes to both Councils at a deeper level, a theological level. It arises from the recognition first voiced in the Rolle declaration of 1951 on "The Calling of the Church to Mission and to Unity", and rephrased in the INTRODUCTION to this Report:

"The main concern of the two Councils must be the total task of the Church in the world. That task includes both the witness of the Church to the ends of the earth and the concern for the manifestation of the unity of the Body of Christ."

"The *unity* of the Church and the *mission* of the Church both belong, in equal degree, to the *essence* of the Church.... This truth has already become manifest in the life of both world bodies. It has led them into association with each other and now obliges them to go further."

7.

V.

We pass now to the PLAN of integration.

From the outset, it has been recognized that the PLAN might move along either
of two main alternative lines. There have been advocates of both alternatives
within the Joint Committee. Both have been seriously and carefully considered.

1. One proposal would envisage -- if I may employ the term -- the "disintegration" of the two existing Councils and their replacement by a body substantially new, possibly with a new name.

The Joint Committee has undertaken detailed exploration of this possibility, not once but repeatedly, in the course of its discussions over the past two years; and has finally been led to its definite rejection. If we were dealing with two pieces of organizational machinery, it might be possible to break them down into their constituent elements and recast them in some wholly new pattern. But those are not the realities with which we have to deal. These two movements are living organisms. It is the union of two living realities which must be sought without loss of the vital values embodied in each.

2. And so, the Joint Committee has been led, over and over again, to the second alternative method of integration, which would seek to conserve to the full all that is best in both movements and yet also open the promise of a far larger and more effective service. That goal, the PLAN now submitted seeks to assure. No figure, drawn from the vocabulary of organizational relationships or even of organic relationships, is adequate to indicate what is attempted. "Marriage" suggests an intimate but still too external relationship. "Grafting" is, perhaps, the least inadequate figure, if we hold steadily in view that it is two fully formed living bodies which it is proposed to join in a single organism.

The Committee has recognized that two objectives must be fulfilled:

a. The missionary conviction and commitment which are the very being of the International Missionary Council must permeate the entire life of the integrated Council, and find appropriate recognition and effective operation in its entire life.

8.

b. The life and program of the International Missionary Council in its full scope and strength must continue in undiminished power within the integrated Council.

Or, as the Joint Committee stated the objective a year ago:

> "Any such integration should be in a form which ensures that missions belong to the heart of the ecumenical movement. It should also be along lines which bring the missionary forces into closer relationship with all phases of the Church's witness in the life of the world and engage the fullest resources of the churches in the task of formulating and fulfilling their mission in terms commensurate with the needs of the world today and with the nature of the 'glorious Gospel of the blessed God'."

The present PLAN seeks to realize each of these two purposes primarily through two steps, four in all, outlined at the outset of the PLAN (p. 4,A).

The conservation of the present life and program of the International Missionary Council is to be secured through:--

1. The creation of a COMMISSION ON WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM. This is substantially the continuation within the integrated Council of the present Assembly of the International Missionary Council. The COMMISSION would meet every six years in the intervals between meetings of the World Council Assembly. Here, the precedent and experience of the Commission on Faith and Order have been helpful. Its membership would be drawn largely from the present member Councils of the I.M.C. and others which may subsequently become affiliated with the COMMISSION, supplemented by appointments by the Central Committee to assure representation from the full World Council's constituency, including its Department of Evangelism. (It is proposed that the Department of Evangelism be joined within the new COMMISSION and DIVISION.) "The COMMISSION shall formulate general lines of policy and programme for submission to the Central Committee for its approval."

9.

2. The creation of a DIVISION OF WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM, which follows closely the familiar pattern of other World Council Divisions and which brings the structure into harmony with the prevailing pattern of present World Council operation. The DIVISION is the ad interim body responsible for the execution of policy and programme.

The Joint Committee has given much thought to the other objective, which was named first -- to assure that missions shall be at the heart of the entire life and work of the World Council. Here, likewise, there are two steps proposed:--

3. Provision for representation within the Assembly and Central Committee of those from all parts of the world with special knowledge in the field of world mission (p. 7, V), and for continuous attention to relationships of mutual helpfulness with associated and affiliated councils which desire to avail themselves of the services of the integrated Council. Note that councils may be "associated" with the World Council as presently provided, or "affiliated" to the COMMISSION ON WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM, or may enjoy both relationships. (p.8,VII).

4. Lastly, the attention of Central Committee is called to Section VI on p. 8 of the document, which outlines in some detail a procedure for reexamination and redefinition of all divisional and departmental activities of the World Council to assure that "the missionary aim of the Council as a whole shall find expression in the work of all its divisions and departments."

VI.

A final word.

This document may appear largely occupied with specific proposals for organizational change. That was inevitable in discharge of the Joint Committee's mandate to prepare a definite plan of integration. It is hardly necessary to assure the Central Committee that, in all its discussions, the Joint Committee's

Joint Committee

July 1957

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE

IMC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE

New Haven, July 23rd to 27th, 1957

For reference to the appropriate Committees
of the W.C.C. and I.M.C.

1. W.C.C. and I.M.C. - the possible integration of the two Councils: the Joint Committee's mandate.

2. The draft Plan of Integration.

3. East Asia Christian Conference.

4. Developments in Regional Relationships
(Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean).

5. Inter-Church Aid.

6. Sundry matters:

(i) Ecumenical Study Courses

(ii) Consultant on Racial and Ethnic Tensions

(iii) "Christian Convictions and Attitudes in regard to the Jewish People."

(iv) Joint Committee budget.

Joint Committee

July 1957

Extract from the record of

THE INC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE

W.C.C. and the I.M.C. : The possible integration of the two Councils.

The Joint Committee's Mandate:

In 1957 the Joint Committee was authorized by the World Council of Churches and the International Missionary Council "to undertake the formulation--in the fullest possible consultation with all concerned--of a draft plan of integration for presentation to the W.C.C. Central Committee in 1957 and to the I.M.C. Assembly at Ghana in December-January, 1957-58." (Central Committee minutes, 1956, pp. 38 ff. 51, 110f).

For this task the membership of the Joint Committee was increased to 20 and a sub-committee was appointed to work on the preparation of a draft plan. The work of this sub-committee was presented to the full meeting of the Committee at New Haven, and the following revised draft was approved and adopted by the Committee. The plan is now submitted to W.C.C. and I.M.C. for their consideration.

For U.C.C.Executive & Central Committees
For I.H.C.Ad Interim Committee and Member
Councils.

Joint Committee

July, 1957

JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
AND
THE INTERNATIONAL MISSIONARY COUNCIL

A DRAFT PLAN OF INTEGRATION

I.

INTRODUCTION

A.

The question is asked: Why should two world bodies, the International Missionary Council and the World Council of Churches, become integrated into a single organism? The answer is this. A basic and long-forgotten truth is being rediscovered in our time, which might be stated thus: the unity of the Church and the mission of the Church both belong, in equal degree, to the essence of the Church. If Christian churches would be in very truth the Church, they must carry the Gospel into all the world. They must also strive to achieve the unity of all those throughout the world for whom Jesus Christ is Lord. This truth has already become manifest in the life of both the world bodies. It has led them into association with each other and now obliges them to go further. They exist to help the churches to witness to the wholeness of the Gospel and must, therefore, seek to express that wholeness in their own life.

B.

These two world bodies have, under God, been brought into being through specific historical events. In this process, they are now drawing more closely together as organs of what has come to be called the Ecumenical Movement.

The World Missionary Conference, held in Edinburgh in 1910, was the source from which a world movement for missionary cooperation took its rise. This led to the formation of the International Missionary Council in 1921.

From the same source the churches derived a fresh impetus towards unity, and a deepened concern for the Christian witness to men in society. The fresh impetus towards unity found expression in the Faith and Order movement. The deepened concern for the Christian witness to men in society was reflected in the parallel movement known as Life and Work.

The first formal steps to bring these two movements together in a World Council of Churches were taken in 1938, and in the war years which followed the Council operated "in the process of formation". In 1948 the World Council of Churches was inaugurated at Amsterdam.

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Joint Committee

July 1957

Even prior to this, in 1946, the World Council of Churches "in process of formation" and the International Missionary Council joined in the creation of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs. At the time of the Amsterdam Assembly they decided to operate "in association". In 1949 the W.C.C. and the I.M.C. agreed to establish a Joint Secretariat for East Asia. In 1952 the I.M.C. requested the W.C.C. to permit its Division of Inter-Church Aid and Service to Refugees to act on behalf of both bodies in administering emergency inter-church aid and relief in countries outside Europe. In 1954 the growing importance of the work of the Joint Committee was recognized by the appointment of a full-time Secretary. In the same year the Research Secretariat of the I.M.C. was combined with the Study Department of the W.C.C. in a joint Division of Studies, with a Department of Missionary Studies as an integral part of the Division. In these and other ways the "association" of the two Councils has become increasingly interlocked and more visibly inter-dependent.

C.

During this period, churches of Asia, Africa and Latin America have played an increasing part in all the concerns of the Ecumenical Movement. Many of these churches are now related to both the world bodies. Both make claims on their leadership.

A still more significant point should be noted. Pressure for the integration of the I.M.C. and the W.C.C. has come with growing insistence from churches and councils which desire to be related to a single organization concerned with both the mission and the unity of the Church. The proposed formation of the East Asia Christian Conference marks a new era in this process. All this points to a relationship which goes beyond "association".

This continuous development expresses a logic inherent in the present ecumenical situation, which led the Joint Committee at its meeting in 1956

"to recommend to the parent bodies that in the opinion of the Joint Committee the time has come when consideration should be given to the possibility of full integration between the W.C.C. and the I.M.C., subject to an adequate safeguarding in any plan of integration of the distinctive expression of the Mission of the Church as this has been embodied in the I.M.C."

In taking this decision the leaders of the two world bodies were concerned with far more than efficiency of organization. As the document on "The Calling of the Church to Mission and to Unity" (adopted by the Central Committee of the W.C.C. in 1951) pointed out: "The missionary movement has been from the beginning imbued with a deep sense of the calling to unity....The movement towards unity has from the beginning concerned itself with the Church's witness to the world." The main concern of the two Councils must be the total task of the Church in the world. That task includes both the witness of the Church to the ends of the earth and the concern for the manifestation of the unity of the Body of Christ.

Joint Committee

July 1957

The Joint Committee has, therefore, laid down the following require-
ments for an acceptable plan of integration: "The Committee regards it
as imperative that any such integration should be in a form which ensures
that missions belong to the heart of the ecumenical movement. It should
also be on lines which bring the missionary forces into closer relation-
ship with all phases of the Church's witness in the life of the world."

D.

Any plan to integrate the International Missionary Council and the
World Council of Churches must recognize, and at the same time make clear
to all the churches and councils concerned, some very important facts.

First: the emergence of a dynamic regionalism in the world of our time--the feeling of peoples in great areas of the globe that they belong together and are involved in a common destiny--is a factor of great significance. Churches and councils in different regions are in different stages of development and have differing perspectives with regard to the ecumenical ideal. The needs and developments within the regions themselves must determine the pattern of the ecumenical service given and received. The plan of integration here presented seeks to provide an organization which will be sensitive and flexible enough to respond to the developing regional situations.

Second: the proposals which follow are concerned with integration only at the international level. They do not determine or prejudge the form of organization within National Christian Councils or between churches and missionary bodies. The integrated Council and its Commission will have no constitutional authority over their member bodies.

Third: it is to be noted that the plan provides for (a) national or regional Christian Councils to be formally associated with the integrated Council; (b) national or regional Christian or Missionary Councils to be affiliated only with the Commission; (c) freedom of councils to have either relationship separately or both together.

Fourth: no plan can by itself ensure the spiritual integration which is our deepest desire. This can only come as the gift of God. Nevertheless, this plan is submitted to the two world bodies, in the conviction that its realization will represent a decisive step of obedience towards the fulfilment of the total task which the Lord has entrusted to the whole Church.

* * * * * * * * * *

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Joint Committee

July, 1957

II.

THE PLAN

It is proposed that the integration of the World Council of Churches and the International Missionary Council be effected by the following actions:

A. The carrying forward and extension of the work of the IMC by

(1) The creation of a Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the ICC as described below, to which the existing member councils of the IMC will be affiliated;

(2) The creation of a Division of World Mission and Evangelism comparable to the divisional units within the present ICC;

(3) Representation of those with missionary knowledge and experience in the Assembly, Central and Executive Committees of the integrated Council;

(4) Provision for such continuous assistance to the work of national and regional councils as may be desired and attention to their participation in the work of the integrated Council.

B. Changes in the Constitution of the ICC, including

(1) The revision of the functions of the ICC (Constitution Sec. III) as follows:

(i) To carry on the work of the world movements for Faith and Order and Life and Work, and the work of the International Missionary Council;

(ii) To facilitate common action by the churches;

(iii) To promote cooperation in study;

(iv) To promote the growth of ecumenical and missionary consciousness in the members of all churches;

(v) To establish and maintain relations with other ecumenical movements, with denominational federations of world-wide scope and with national and regional councils;

(vi) To call world conferences on specific subjects as occasion may require, such conferences being empowered to publish their own findings;

(vii) To support the churches in their world-wide missionary and evangelistic task.

(2) Changes in Sec. VI to provide for the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism.

(3) Such consequential changes as will provide for A (3) and A (4) above and other steps necessary to take care of IMC responsibilities.

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Joint Committee

July, 1957

C. Re-examination and adaptation of the present work of the WCC with a view to relating all the activities of the Council to the missionary task and concern of the churches.

The following sections indicate more fully the detailed steps proposed.

### III.

#### THE COMMISSION ON WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM

**Aim:** To further the effective proclamation to all men of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

##### Functions:

(1) To keep before the churches the range and character of the unfinished evangelistic task and to deepen the sense of evangelistic and missionary obligation in the churches throughout the world;

(2) To intensify evangelistic and missionary concern in the whole life and work of the World Council of Churches;

(3) To stimulate thought and study on the Biblical basis and theological significance of the world mission;

(4) To stimulate thinking and investigation on questions directly related to the mission and expansion of Christianity in the world;

(5) To foster more effective cooperation and united action amongst churches, councils and other agencies working for world evangelization;

(6) To take such further action in fulfilment of the declared aim of the Commission as is not otherwise provided for within the WCC.

**Authority:** The Commission has no mandatory authority over any of the affiliated or associated councils in its membership and is bound by Section IV of the Constitution of the WCC.

##### Operations:

(1) The Commission shall normally meet once between meetings of the Assembly of the WCC but special meetings may be convened at the call of the Divisional Committee with the approval of the Central Committee;

(2) The Commission shall report and make recommendations to the Assembly and Central Committee;

(3) The Commission shall formulate the general lines of policy and programme to be followed by the Division of World Mission and Evangelism for sub-mission to the Central Committee for its approval. The Division shall be responsible for the execution of this policy and programme.

##### Membership:

The Commission shall consist initially of 115 members and 15 consultants and shall be composed as follows:

Joint Committee

July, 1957

80 members appointed by councils affiliated to the Commission (see paragraph VII below). The member councils of the IMC at the time of integration shall be regarded as affiliated to the Commission and for its first meeting the schedule of representation of the IMC shall apply. For subsequent meetings the Divisional Committee shall determine the number of places and their allocation to councils. In doing so it shall take account of councils which since the last meeting of the Commission have become eligible for affiliation in accordance with criteria defined by the Divisional Committee and approved by Central Committee. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Central Committee.

15 members appointed by the Central Committee to represent the field of work of the Department of Evangelism.

20 other members appointed by the Central Committee.

15 consultants appointed by the Divisional Committee who shall be entitled to speak but not to vote.

Provision may also be made for observers from councils and other missionary agencies which are not affiliated to the Commission.

The members of the Commission shall serve until appointments have been made for the next meeting of the Commission or their successors are appointed.

## Officers:

(1) There shall be a Chairman and one or more Vice-Chairmen appointed by the Commission. The term of office shall extend until the conclusion of the next normal meeting of the Commission.

(2) The Director of the Division of World Mission and Evangelism shall serve as Secretary of the Commission.

# IV.

## THE DIVISION OF WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM

**Function:** The Division of World Mission and Evangelism shall give continuous attention to the aim and functions of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism and shall act for it between its meetings.

### Activities:

(1) To maintain relationships with councils affiliated to the Commission and the member churches of the World Council of Churches concerning the work of the Division and Commission.

(2) To foster relationships with non-affiliated councils and with missionary agencies which are not members of affiliated councils.

Joint Committee

July, 1957

(3) To publish such literature as may be called for in the furtherance of the aim and functions of the Commission.

(4) To convene such conferences as may be required.

(5) To take responsibility for the Department of Evangelism and any other departments which may be created within the Division and to guide their work.

(6) To cooperate with the other divisions of the World Council in order to carry out the purpose and functions of the Commission and of the World Council effectively.

## Composition and Administration:

(1) There shall be a Divisional Committee responsible for the general conduct of the work of the Division which shall report to the Assembly and the Central Committee as well as to the Commission.

(2) The Committee shall consist of 20 members, appointed annually by the Central Committee on the nomination of the Commission or of the Divisional Committee acting for it. The Chairman and one member of each departmental committee within the Division shall be included in the membership of the Committee. At least two members shall be drawn from the membership of the Central Committee.

(3) The Divisional Committee shall normally meet once a year.

(4) The Divisional Committee may recommend to the Assembly or Central Committee the creation, in addition to the Department of Evangelism, of departments to which shall be assigned responsibility for dealing with particular aspects of the Division's work.

(5) The Divisional Committee shall nominate its Chairman for appointment by the Central Committee.

(6) The Divisional Committee shall be served by secretaries one of whom shall be the Director of the Division and an Associate General Secretary of the World Council. The secretaries shall be appointed according to the rules of the World Council on the nomination of the Divisional Committee.

V.

## REPRESENTATION IN ASSEMBLY, CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(1) In preparing its proposals for the composition of the Central Committee the Nominations Committee of the Assembly shall have regard to the adequate representation in the Central Committee of those from all parts of the world with special knowledge in the field of world mission.

(2) In order to provide for adequate representation in the Central Committee of all the interests of the World Council, including the new Division of World Mission and Evangelism, the membership of the Central Committee shall be increased from 90 to 100 and consideration shall be given to

Joint Committee

July, 1957

the desirability of a corresponding increase in the size of the Executive Committee.

(3) To ensure the participation at the 4th Assembly of those from all parts of the world with special knowledge in the field of world mission who might not otherwise find a place in the Assembly, the Divisional Committee on World Mission and Evangelism may prepare a list from which the Central Committee will choose up to 25 names to be proposed for appointment as delegates by the member churches to which the individuals concerned belong. If any such persons are not included in the delegation already appointed by their church, that church shall be offered such additional place or places as may be necessary.

(4) Delegates to the Assembly appointed by the above procedure, being full members of the Assembly, will be eligible for appointment, through the Nominations Committees, to the Central and Executive Committees.

VI.

WORLD MISSION AND DIVISIONAL AND DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES

In preparation for the 3rd Assembly, all divisional and departmental committees of the World Council shall be asked to reconsider their aims and functions in the light of this plan of integration and to report their findings to the Central Committee. The Central Committee after consultation with the Joint Committee and in the light of those findings will redefine the aims and functions of the divisions and departments in order to ensure that each division and department will express in its programme and activities the missionary dimension of the Church's calling.

Moreover, the General Secretariat will forthwith prepare a survey of the activities of the divisions and departments which are already at work in the field of the missionary and evangelistic task and (or) whose work is closely related to the work of missions, and on the basis of this survey the Joint Committee will recommend measures needed to be taken to ensure coordination between the Division of World Mission and Evangelism and the other divisions or to secure integration between related activities to be submitted to the 3rd Assembly.

After the integrated Council has come into existence the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism shall recommend to the Central Committee ways in which the missionary aim of the Council as a whole should find expression in the work of all its divisions and departments.

VII.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL COUNCILS

The present rules of the WCC (XI.2) provide for certain national councils to enter into working relationships as associated councils. In the integrated body there will therefore be councils associated with the WCC, those affiliated to the Commission and those enjoying both relationships.

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July, 1957

Provision shall be made within the General Secretariat for continuous attention to the relationships of mutual helpfulness with all those associated and affiliated councils which desire to avail themselves of the services of the Council.

Similar attention shall also be given to regional developments.

In order to further this, the Central Committee is asked to consider the appointment of a Standing Committee of Central Committee on relationships with national councils. It is understood that in its work this Committee would be closely related to the periodical meetings of Christian council officers for which provision is already made in the WCC Rules [X1.2 (d)] and practice.

In accordance with Paragraph IV (2) above, and the present practice of the WCC and the IMC, the Commission shall be authorized to enter into communication with non-affiliated councils and with missionary agencies which are not members of affiliated councils.

## VIII.

### OTHER MATTERS

The following matters will require further attention:

#### (1) Location of officers and staff

It is assumed that the Director of the Division of World Mission and Evangelism, who will be an Associate General Secretary, will have his office in Geneva to ensure maximum coordination of policy within the General Secretariat. He will nevertheless be expected to retain that degree of mobility which will be required by the work of the Commission and its Division.

It is recommended that there be a re-examination of the location and nature of other offices in New York, London, East Asia and elsewhere.

#### (2) Relations with joint agencies

In due course attention will need to be given to the implications of integration for undertakings hitherto sponsored jointly by the two councils, e.g., the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, the East Asia Secretariat, and the Committee on the Christian Approach to the Jews. Attention will also need to be given to joint WCC-IMC undertakings within the Divisions of Study and Inter-Church Aid.

#### (3) Finance

The financial implications of this plan for integration will require further study. The expenses of the IMC in 1957 will be about $150,000 and those of the WCC will be about $468,000. It appears likely that the expenses of the new integrated body will be of the same order of magnitude as the total expenses of IMC and WCC before integration and it is therefore clear that there will be need after integration to maintain maximum income from all sources.

REVISED

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July 1957

IX.

TENTATIVE PLANS FOR TIMING AND PROCEDURE

Any proposals regarding timing and procedure made at this
juncture may be subject to change in the light of later develop-
ments.

With this proviso, the Joint Committee recommends that the
following timetable be adopted:

(1) The Joint Committee plan will be remitted at once to the WCC and the IMC.

(2) The WCC, after preliminary consideration by the Central Committee in 1957, will remit the plan, with such comment as seems to it appropriate, to member churches of the WCC.

(3) The IMC will forward the plan to its member bodies in preparation for its consideration at the Ghana Assembly, which in turn will remit it with appropriate comment to the member bodies.

(4) Comments and suggestions for amendment from member churches of the WCC and the member councils of the IMC, and from the Central Committee and the Assembly, will be reviewed by the Joint Committee in 1958 and 1959.

(5) The Plan, in revised or original form, will be considered again by the Central Committee in 1959 and if necessary by a Special Assembly of the IMC in 1960, with a view to decisive action by both bodies, in accordance with their respective constitutional arrangements. *

(6) If affirmative action is taken by both WCC and IMC, the plan will be embodied in constitutional documents and a draft act of union, for approval by the Administrative Committee of the IMC, and the Central Committee of the WCC, and for submission, with the necessary amendments to the Constitution, to the Third Assembly of the WCC in 1960. *

* For the procedures governing constitutional changes in both bodies. see WCC Constitution, Section VIII, and IMC Constitution, Section XII.

Joint Committee

July 1957

Extract from the record of

THE IMC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE

on

THE EAST ASIA CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE

1. The Joint Committee warmly welcomes the proposal for an East Asia Christian Conference, as made at Prapat, March 18-27, 1957, recognizes its great significance for the ecumenical movement, and expresses deep gratitude to all those who contributed to the plan.

2. The Joint Committee records its appreciation of the general direction in which the Prapat proposal moves and its keen desire to cooperate in working toward the goal of a permanent East Asia Christian Conference.

3. The Joint Committee recommends

(a) That the recommendations of the Prapat Conference for the enlargement of the East Asia Secretariat be accepted by the I.M.C. and W.C.C. and that the I.M.C. and W.C.C. accordingly appoint Dr. D.T.Niles as Secretary, U Kyaw Than as Associate Secretary, and the Rev.A.A.Brash as Inter-Church Aid Secretary.

(b) That until such time as the Secretary is able to assume his post on a full-time basis, U Kyaw Than be recognized as the acting Secretary.

(c) That the Interim Committee of the E.A.C.C. be asked to consider any further questions in regard to nomenclature in the secretariat and the definition of responsibilities.

(d) That the Division of Inter-Church Aid and Service to Refugees be requested to make financial provision for the Secretary carrying responsibility for Inter-Church Aid in the East Asia Secretariat, and to supplement his work by services from members of the Division's staff during the first year, or until such time as he is able to give full-time service.

(e) That in addition to the financial provision referred to in (d) the I.M.C. and W.C.C. be requested to increase their support of the East Asia Secretariat as necessary to cover the increased expenses (an increase from $9,000 to $17,500 per annum) resulting from the enlargement of the Secretariat.

(f) That it be gratefully recognized that the representatives of the churches and councils on the East Asia Christian Conference have indicated the likelihood that generous financial support for the activities of the E.A.C.C. will be provided by those churches and councils.

4. The Joint Committee recommends that the East Asia Secretariat be given enlarged functions in accordance with the recommendations of the Prapat

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July 1957

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Conference, defined as follows:

(a) Survey of the mission of the Church in East Asia to the end that the total available resources of personnel and funds may be directed to the fulfilment of this mission.

(b) Consultation on issues of comity, missionary policy and other subjects of common concern among the churches in this area and the missionary societies related to them.

(c) Promotion of the participation of the Asian Churches and Councils in the programme and activities of the I.M.C./W.C.C., and help to these two world bodies by keeping them constantly informed about the concerns and convictions of the Asian churches with regard to the common ecumenical task.

(d) Visitation of the churches and councils in the area.

(e) Encouragement of closer contact and mutual sharing of experience between the churches in Asia and cooperation between them in functional activities through conferences, exchange of information and visits of international and interdenominational teams from within the area for specific purposes.

(f) Exchange of information concerning personnel needs in East Asia which may be met by churches in other parts of the area; encouraging and facilitating the securing of such personnel; the sharing of the experience of the churches in international and interdenominational exchange of personnel. Such exchange shall be the primary responsibility of the churches themselves both to find the personnel and support them. Where the funds of the churches concerned are found to be inadequate for this kind of programme additional support shall be sought from outside sources.

(g) To help in interpreting and coordinating the programme of the Division of ICA/SR of the World Council of Churches in East Asia and to collaborate with NCCs at their request in fulfilling the purpose of ecumenical Inter-Church Aid. This is understood to mean the collation and distribution of information concerning material and personnel, the transmitting of gifts where this is necessary, and such services as will strengthen the relationship of the churches and NCCs in East Asia with one another and with the WCC in furthering the aims of ICA.

5. The Joint Committee recommends that the World Council of Churches and the International Missionary Council recognize the Interim Committee appointed by the Prapat Conference as the responsible body to guide the East Asia Secretariat in the fulfilment of the functions outlined above.

6. The Joint Committee expresses the following judgments to the General Secretaries of the World Council of Churches and the International Missionary Council, as members of the Interim Committee appointed at Prapat, with reference to the question of membership of churches which are not now members of the East Asia Christian Conference or the World Council of Churches:

(a) It is desirable that churches affiliating with the East Asia

Joint Committee

July 1957

Extract from the record of

THE IMC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE

on

Joint Committee

July 1957

Joint Committee

July 1957

Extract from the record of

THE INC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE

For U.C.C. Executive & Central Committees
For I.H.C. Ad Interim Committee and Member
Councils.

Joint Committee

July, 1957

A DRAFT PLAN OF INTEGRATION

I.

INTRODUCTION

A.

The question is asked: Why should two world bodies, the International Missionary Council and the World Council of Churches, become integrated into a single organism? The answer is this. A basic and long-forgotten truth is being rediscovered in our time, which might be stated thus: the *unity* of the Church and the *mission* of the Church both belong, in equal degree, to the *essence* of the Church. If Christian churches would be in very truth the Church, they must carry the Gospel into all the world. They must also strive to achieve the unity of all those throughout the world for whom Jesus Christ is Lord. This truth has already become manifest in the life of both the world bodies. It has led them into association with each other and now obliges them to go further. They exist to help the churches to witness to the wholeness of the Gospel and must, therefore, seek to express that wholeness in their own life.

B.

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July 1957

C.

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July 1957

D.

* * * * * * * * * *

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Joint Committee

July, 1957

II.

THE PLAN

(1) The creation of a Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the WCC as described below, to which the existing member councils of the IMC will be affiliated;

(2) The creation of a Division of World Mission and Evangelism comparable to the divisional units within the present WCC;

B. Changes in the Constitution of the WCC, including

(1) The revision of the functions of the WCC (Constitution Sec. III) as follows:

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July, 1957

### III.

##### Functions:

##### Operations:

##### Membership:

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July, 1957

## Officers:

### Activities:

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July, 1957

-7-

* * * * * * * * * *

V.

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July, 1957

VI.

VII.

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July, 1957

## VIII.

### OTHER MATTERS

#### (3) Finance

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July, 1957

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Any proposals regarding timing and procedure made at this juncture may be
subject to change in the light of later developments.

With this proviso, the Joint Committee recommends that the following time-
table be adopted:

The WCC, after preliminary consideration by the Central Committee in 1957, will remit the plan, with such comment as seems to it appropriate to member churches of the WCC.

The IMC will forward the plan to its member bodies in preparation for its consideration at the Ghana Assembly, which in turn will remit it with appropriate comment, to the member bodies.

(3) Comments and suggestions for amendment from member churches of the WCC and the member councils of the IMC, and from the Central Committee and the Assembly, will be reviewed by the Joint Committee in 1958 or 1959.

(5) The plan, in revised form, will be considered again by the Central Committee in 1959 and if necessary by a Special Assembly of the IMC in 1960, with a view to decisive action by both bodies, in accordance with their respective constitutional arrangements.
or original

(6) If affirmative action is taken by both WCC and IMC, the plan will be embodied in constitutional documents and a draft act of union, for final approval by the Administrative Committee of the IMC, and the Central Committee of the WCC and the inauguration of an integrated World Council of Churches at the Third Assembly of the WCC in 1960.

* * * * * * * * * *

Joint Committee

July 1957

Extract from the record of

THE IMC/WCC JOINT COMMITTEE

on

1. The Joint Committee warmly welcomes the proposal for an East Asia Christian Conference, as made at Prapat, March 18-27, 1957. recognizes its great significance for the ecumenical movement, and expresses deep gratitude to all those who contributed to the plan.

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Joint Committee

July 1957

Joint Committee

July 1957

(3) That it recognizes these categories to be of two kinds :

a. With regard to categories a. and b. of the Herrenalb Minutes, DICASR has full competence to act on behalf of both bodies, in accordance with the 1953 agreement.

B. With regard to categories c. to f. inclusive of the Herrenalb minutes, whether the Division or the I.M.C. deals with situations to which these categories apply, either organization shall work in consultation with the other, using such procedures and liaison arrangements as those indicated above.

5. That the Joint Committee welcomes the formation of the E.A.C.C. and the contribution it will bring to the parent bodies in the development of plans and relationships for Inter-Church Aid, in the world as a whole and particularly in the area of the Conference.

* * * * * * *