World Alliance of Reformed Churches News Release 26 October 2007
WARC Executive Committee: Trinidad and Tobago, 18-28 October 2007
World Communion of Reformed Churches suggested as name for new Reformed group
The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) has taken a number of important steps along the road to its merger with the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).
WARCâ??s Executive Committee agreed earlier this week to the merger at its meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. Friday the group agreed to recommend to REC that the new global entity be called the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
The WARC Executive Committee also agreed on a definition of the word "communion" in the new name. It reads:
"Communion is an expression of our being together in the body of Christ as we move towards that oneness which is the gift and calling of God, fully expressed in the Trinity. Our desire to enter into communion signifies the commitment of our churches, in the richness of diversity, to mutual caring, respect and service of one another, as witness to our common calling by the Spirit of God in Jesus Christ."
The new name and definition will go first to REC and then, if agreed to, to WARC's member churches for their input.
In addition, the Executive Committee approved terms of reference for a merger implementation working group of WARC and REC representatives that will be responsible for a constitution, budget, staffing and structure details, the Uniting General Council (likely in 2010), as well as fundraising and communication plans.
In order to stabilize the financial situation of WARC and the merging Reformed body, WARC leaders also agreed to establish a (U.S.) $20 million endowment fund through the Presbyterian Foundation affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).
They also approved a 2007 budget of just less than 2 million Swiss Francs that included cuts of 147,000 Swiss Francs, asking the general secretary to determine where the cuts would come.
WARC leaders also agreed that the Nederduitsch Hervomde Kerk van Afrika, suspended in 1982 for its support of apartheid in South Africa, shall remain under suspension until the church meets the conditions laid out by WARC. In a meeting last month, the church refused to meet those conditions, which included recanting its support for apartheid and its theological justification.
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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
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