World Alliance of Reformed Churches News Release 22 October 2007
WARC Executive Committee: Trinidad and Tobago, 18-28 October 2007
New Reformed body to be formed
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) today agreed to unite with the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) to create a new global Reformed body representing more than 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide.
The historic decision took place at WARC's Executive Committee meeting being held in Trinidad and Tobago, following two days of detailed discussions on many of the aspects of the proposed merger.
"This is a truly, truly important moment,â?? said WARC president Clifton Kirkpatrick after the vote was taken at midday. He invited the participants in the meeting to join together in the singing of the doxology. ' "It's a great moment,"? added REC president Douwe Visser. "I hope we can combine the efforts of these two organizations and have an even broader outreach than WARC and REC have at the moment."
"I have a feeling this new body will be the voice of the Reformed world."?
WARC general secretary Setri Nyomi said, â??This is a historic moment. The Reformed family has demonstrated that we have the ability to engage together in a united fellowship and overcome divisions and for this we are thankful to God.â?? Added Richard van Houten, REC's general secretary, "I'm delighted. I get the feeling the WARC Executive Committee really wrestled hard with some serious issues and in doing so, are now solidly behind the effort."
In March, REC's Executive Committee approved in principle of a new Reformed body tentatively called the World Reformed Communion. However WARC today asked for more time to consider an alternative proposal for the name of the new group.
WARC is a worldwide fellowship of 75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries. A survey of WARCâ??s member churches found that 41 churches supported the merger, while six churches raised some questions. No WARC churches opposed the move.
REC represents 12 million Reformed Christians in 39 churches in 25 countries. Of its 39 member churches, 27 are also members of WARC.
A proposed basis for the union reads:
"The basis of the (name) shall be the Word of the triune God, incarnated in Jesus Christ, found in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and witnessed to in the church. This (name) embodies Reformed identity articulated in historic Reformed confessions and continued in the life and witness of the Reformed community."?
The new Reformed body will be open to all members of WARC and REC who are not under suspension, as well as other Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, Waldensian, First Reformation, United and Uniting traditions who affirm the basis of the new entity.
The new Reformed body will also invite movements, agencies and theological institutions of the Reformed movement into active affiliation with it.
The key callings of the new Reformed body will be:
- to foster Reformed confessional identity and communion among Reformed churches, and unity in the whole church; - to promote justice in the economy and the earth, and all of Godâ??s creation, and to work for peace and reconciliation in the world; - to encourage the renewal of Reformed worship and spiritual life as a global family of Godâ??s people; - to strengthen leadership development and the nurture of the covenant community; - to promote the full participation of women and youth in all aspects of the churchâ??s life; - to renew a passion among Reformed Christians for Godâ??s mission, both witness and service, in a spirit of partnership and unity; - to interpret Reformed theology for contemporary witness and for the unity of the church.
While the new Reformed body had been tentatively called the World Reformed Communion, WARCâ??s Executive Committee is still exploring options and will try to come up with an alternative name during this meeting.
WCC ID:
nJoBWU5exi1qWrutF9UPe3zxFO1kvkS1uXQ4WDHV1NjMpf3OQUc2W1yD9KlKiEs