Geneva - The leader of the World Council of Churches has decided not to seek a second term after his tenure runs out in December and the body has begun the search for a replacement, the organization said Monday in a statement.
Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Kenyan Methodist, cited personal reasons for not seeking to extend his role as general secretary, the statement said. A new leader will be elected in September 2009.
The Geneva-based body is an umbrella organization for about 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches, representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries.