wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] 2 Reformed groups seek closer ties

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #8967 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05557
Oct. 18, 2005

2 Reformed groups seek closer ties  
  
by Stephen Brown
Ecumenical News International  

EVIAN, France - Two groups of Reformed churches are working toward a closer
relationship, according to leaders of the organizations.

	The main governing body of the Geneva-based World Alliance of
Reformed Churches (WARC) agreed on Oct. 14 to meet with leaders of the
Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC), which is headquartered in Grand Rapids,
MI, to discuss a closer relationship.

	"This is a historic development which will be a strong message from
these two organizations that serve the Reformed family," said the Rev. Setri
Nyomi, WARC's general secretary.  
  
	WARC has 75 million members in 218 churches in 107 countries; REC has
12 million members in 39 churches in 25 countries.

	The decision by the WARC governing body came in response to a
proposal put forward in July by the REC's general assembly.

	The two groups will discuss the sharing of personnel and projects and
whether REC will become an affiliate of WARC. Some WARC executives said they
would like the two groups to work towards "full unity leading to the creation
of a new entity."  
  
	REC General Secretary Richard van Houten said his organization was
founded in 1946 as an alliance of Reformed churches that weren't members of
WARC. But from the 1960s onwards, he said, many churches have become members
of both bodies.  
  
	Van Houten said REC would not want its churches to be forced to join
the world alliance, and would like to retain its identity.  
  
	In a letter to Nyomi, Van Houten wrote, "The proposal is challenging,
probably to both our organizations. It calls for rapid action and big
changes." 
	
	Speaking to the WARC committee, Van Houten warned, "It's a complex
proposal, and in the United States we have a saying: 'The devil is in the
details.'"  
  
	The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
WARC's president, said, "There is a new energy between us and the Reformed
Ecumenical Council that has been growing over the years."

To subscribe or unsubscribe, please send an email to
pcusanews-subscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org or
pcusanews-unsubscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org

To contact the owner of the list, please send an email to
pcusanews-request@halak.pcusa.org