wfn.org | World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Disciples look at closer ties

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Disciples look at closer ties

A meeting of World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and Disciples 
Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC) leaders should pave the way 
for a closer relationship between the two organizations.

WARC and DECC leaders met in July at the Disciples of Christ 
Historical Society in Nashville, Tennessee, to continue their 
conversations on "the development of a comprehensive partnership in 
pursuit of the visible unity of the church."

DECC is a council of 19 Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ, 
United and Uniting churches established in 1979 to strengthen their 
common calling to visible unity and mission. Though not a legislative 
body, it works to enable its member churches to consult with each 
other about issues of faith, witness and unity. DECC represents 4.5 
million Christians around the world.

WARC is a body of Reformed, Congregational, Presbyterian, Waldensian, 
United and Uniting churches who have since the late 19th century 
engaged in common witness to Christ and in strengthening their common 
calling for the unity of the church. It is currently in the process 
of uniting with the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).

WARC and DECC have been in dialogue since the mid-1980s.

The Nashville meeting focused on the relationship between the two groups
in light of the plans for WARC to merge in 2010 with REC, forming the
World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).

Following the meeting the DECC Reference Committee agreed to ask its 
member churches to consider a proposal that DECC become an associate 
member of WCRC so that there might be closer ties in relation to the 
programmes and governance of
WCRC.

WARC general secretary Setri Nyomi said the Nashville meeting marked 
a "potentially significant" step in the pursuit of Christian unity. 
"We welcome this important move."

Robert Welsh, general secretary of DECC, stated, "This gathering 
marked an important moment for DECC in deepening the partnership we 
have shared with WARC since 1987, now to include the Reformed 
Ecumenical Council.

"It is significant that several united churches around the world are 
already members of both bodies and have been a voice encouraging us 
to pursue closer relationships in the future."

The meeting of WARC and DECC leaders also recommended:

- that WARC and REC submit the draft WCRC Constitution to DECC in 
order to seek comments to be considered for the final version;
- that WARC and DECC share reports of the current status of their 
separate dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church, as well as their 
ideas for the future of these talks;

- that WARC share its plans for marking the John Calvin Jubilee in 
2009 so that DECC can consider participating;

- that WARC share its and WCRC's ideas on spiritual renewal so that 
DECC can consider participating in such efforts.