World Alliance of Reformed Churches News Release 12 September 2007
A faithful prophetic witness: the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
The general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) has expressed gratitude to the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea for its efforts around the reunification of North and South Korea.
Speaking on 12 September at a meeting of the church's General Assembly at Kyeongju, Setri Nyomi also challenged the church to continue to work for life in a world where the forces of death loom large.
"This country has seen its share of what happens when a people is divided because of vested political and ideological interests. And so today, we have the existence of North and South Korea witnessing to how people have chosen death rather than life.
"I am grateful to God that this church, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, has been one of the faithful prophetic witnesses challenging the powers to choose life and to work towards reunification, rather than simply accept death and the forces of division," Nyomi said.
The WARC leader said that far too often churches remain silent in the face of death and destruction or collude with forces that promote them.
"We thank you for the commitment to mission in this land and in taking the gospel to other lands. We thank those Christians and churches in Korea who continue to work hard in seeking peace and pursuing it, especially in the face of the divisions of the Koreas. We thank God for those who are working for reunification."
Nyomi also challenged the church to adopt the Accra Confession, a declaration of WARC's 24th General Council which stated that working to create a more just economy is essential to the integrity of Christian faith.
"Can the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea be party to this? Can this be done as an act of faith in solidarity with victims of economic injustice in this country as well as with other countries of the world?" he asked.
The WARC general secretary said many people in the world suffer because the economy is arranged to benefit a few. Billions of dollars are available for war while only a fraction of that can be found to fight disease.
Addressing this reality in the context of the theme of the General Assembly - "Jesus Christ, Sustainer of Life and Creation" - Nyomi said Reformed Christians need to make a clear choice of life over death "so that with Jesus in us, we can be God's instruments in challenging and exposing the forces of death and destruction in whatever form they come."
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The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries - united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled world. The WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC's secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Contact: John P. Asling Executive Secretary, Communications World Alliance of Reformed Churches 150 Route de Ferney P.O. Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland tel. +41.22 791 6243 fax: +41.22 791 6505 web: www.warc.ch
More about WARC : http://www.warc.ch/newsreleases/visibility.doc
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