A new declaration on mission and evangelism being prepared for presentation in 2013 will have appeal beyond member churches of the World Council of Churches, an official from the ecumenical body said at a recent conference.

The document, which has undergone 11 drafts, will be presented in its final form at the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Korea in 2013 once it's approved by the WCC Central Committee. The document will draw from Protestant, Evangelical, Orthodox and Roman Catholic mission theologies.

The document will be entitled "Together towards life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes."

In a pre-event meeting in Manila late last month, over 300 participants gathered to renew their thinking on mission and evangelism, and to develop the statement that will succeed one made in 1982.

"The statement aims to bring new issues and convictions to the upcoming WCC assembly, since the concepts of mission and evangelism have changed significantly during the last three decades," said Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum, CWME secretary, at the event in Manila in a statement from the WCC.

The WCC's Commission on World Mission and Evangelism has been working on the draft since the previous Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2006.

"This statement will not replace the 1982 affirmation on mission and evangelism. It would be another statement, which will seek a broad appeal, even wider than WCC member churches and affiliated mission bodies, so that we can commit ourselves to fullness of life for all," Keum said.

Among the themes discussed at the Manila conference from the current draft were:

- A theological framework describing the mission of the Holy Spirit (mission Spiritus)

- Embracing dynamism

- Transformation and diversity in mission

Members also reflected on other topics including salvation of humanity and creation together, and bringing ecological and environmental concerns into the mission statement. Other themes included health and healing, migration and economic globalization.

As the event came to a close on March 27, delegates shared reflections demonstrating their renewed commitment to mission and evangelism.

"Mission is not a commandment received once and for all. Mission is an ongoing relationship of friendship and collaboration," said Sister Josune Arregui, a delegate from the Roman Catholic Church.

WCC Central Committee member Itayi Ndudzo of Zimbabwe urged participants to realize the origin of the calling.

"We must find courage in the incontrovertible fact that we are not being called to pursue a human idea or philosophy. We are being invited to serve in God's own mission for the salvation of all creation."

The event closed with a prayer service involving music from diverse Christian traditions.

Resource: Working Draft 11 of "Together towards life: Mission and evangelism in changing landscapes"