Presbyterian Church of India decide not to join WCC

Taking the stand of its member bodies, the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) last week reached a consensus to not join the Geneva-based World Council of Churches (WCC).

During the 40th Biennial Assembly held at Champhai Vengsang Presbyterian Church, Mizoram, the PCI resolved not to be part of the WCC's network.

The issue of joining WCC however will be explored again in the next biennial assembly that will be held in 2014.

The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical union of close to 350 churches from a broad range of Christian traditions.

During the May 4-6 Assembly, six of the eight PCI Synods voted against the proposal of joining WCC.

Last year, the Synod meeting of the Presbyterian Church of Mizoram in a similar declaration had decided to not to join the WCC. Several theologians and church leaders objected to the proposal due to doctrinal clashes.

The PCI, which is one of the largest Christian denominations in the Northeast region, is comprised of eight synods - Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod, Cachar Hill Tribes Synod, Manipur Presbyterian Church Synod, Biateram Presbyterian Church Synod, Ri Bhoi Presbyterian Church Synod, Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi, KJP Synod Mihngi, and Zou Presbyterian Church Synod.

The General Assembly meanwhile has directed the PCI Executive Committee to review the proposal for the forming of Manipur Meitei Synod. It also decided to change the term of PCI Administrative Secretary from 4 years to 3 years.

Rev VL Luaia Hranleh of Mizoram Synod has been appointed as the Administrative Secretary for the term 2012-2014.

The PCI Assembly is held once in two years. This year, the Assembly was held on the theme 'Christ, the Lord of Creation'.

The Presbyterian Church of India is the biggest single church body in Northeast India, with over 1.2 million members. The Protestant body is headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya.