CORRECTION, clarifying that Synod is encouraging dialogue on the Belhar Confession but not yet moving toward approval.
June 12, 2007 Release #08A
Grand Rapids, Mich. - Synod today encouraged Christian Reformed churches to become familiar with the Belhar Confession, a declaration focusing on justice, unity and reconciliation.
Originally written in Afrikaans and adopted by the synod of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC) in South Africa, the Belhar Confession is named after a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, where a general synod of the DRMC met in 1982.
The Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa has asked the CRC to consider the Belhar and respond to it. Synod 2006 had noted that the CRC lacks a strong confession on race relations.
Synod encouraged the Interchurch Relations Committee to hold regional dialogues across the denomination to familiarize churches with the confession and its issues and stimulate discussion towards a recommendation for Synod 2009.
Synod opened its session this morning with worship in many languages, first listening to a solo rendition of "How Great Thou Art" in Korean, then singing the familiar refrain "God is So Good" in English, Spanish, Korean, Kiswahili, French and Dutch.
In keeping with the theme of diversity, synod also for the first time encouraged congregations to celebrate "World Communion Sunday" on the first Sunday of October (Oct. 7, 2007) as part of All Nations Heritage Week.
Synod also welcomed Rev. Setri Nyomi, the General Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC). Considered a world leader in ecumenical relations, Nyomi congratulated the CRC on 150 years of faithful service to God and praised it for being a leading force for unity.
"I thank God for the role that this church has played in the life of the World Alliance in the few years that you have been a member," Nyomi said. "You have been instrumental in challenging us to move closer together, and we are heeding that call."
Nyomi exhorted synod to continue the CRC's involvement in pursuing church unity. "Your advice and your support will help us build a new, strong, worldwide body through which you and other Reformed churches worldwide can be even more faithful in transforming lives in our world today."