wfn.org | "We are committed to justice", say Reformed church leaders

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

> World Alliance of Reformed Churches

> Re-issued
> News Release
> 10 February 2010

"We are committed to justice", say Reformed church leaders

Leaders of two global networks of Reformed churches set to merge in
June have issued a statement declaring their commitment to a continued
focus on justice concerns following the merger. The text includes
specific reference to racial justice.

The statement was drafted by members of a joint working group
following meetings in Grand Rapids, United States, last week which
focussed on the creation of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
(WCRC) from a union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC)
and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC).

Recognizing the role of some churches during the apartheid era in
South Africa, the statement says "We must confess that we have not
always been faithful to God in working for justice. Apartheid, other
forms of racism, gender injustice, injustice in the economy and
climate injustice are just a few of the areas in which churches have
often found themselves complicit."

"The WCRC will build on a long history of justice related actions.
This history includes declaring apartheid sinful and its theological
justification a heresy", the statement declares.

WARC's president, Clifton Kirkpatrick, emphasizes, "This statement
demonstrates clearly that the way we repudiate apartheid and all other
forms of justice as contrary to the gospel will continue in the life
of the WCRC. We are absolutely committed to continue the tradition of
active advocacy to end apartheid in all forms."

In affirming the joint commitment of the two organizations to
principles of justice based on biblical text, REC's president, Peter
Borgdorff says, "The member churches of REC will enter the formation
of the WCRC with enthusiasm for the proclamation of the "good news"
and the pursuit of biblical justice in every realm of God's creation."

Richard van Houten, REC's general secretary, notes, "It is very
important that we affirm our commitment to justice at the beginning of
the WCRC.  Justice is a profound biblical theme that reflects
God-given rights to all human beings."

The WCRC is to be launched at the Uniting General Council (UGC) on the
campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids (18-28 June).

WARC's General Secretary, Setri Nyomi says, "I am glad that in this
meeting of the joint working group we made a clear statement on
justice.  Coming four months before the Uniting General Council, I
look forward to how the World Communion of Reformed Churches will
build on the Accra Confession and other instruments to continue a firm
commitment to dismantling injustice in every form."

The Accra Confession, issued by WARC member churches in 2004, declares
economic injustice and environmental destruction to be contrary to
biblical teachings.

The full statement by the joint working group follows.

Statement by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) - Reformed
Ecumenical Council (REC) Joint Working Group

WARC-REC Joint Working Group calls on WCRC Uniting General Council to
commit to Justice

The Joint Working Group of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and
the Reformed Ecumenical Council calls on its member churches and
delegates to the Uniting General Council to renew commitments to
Justice in the world. This call was made in its meeting in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, USA, February 1 to 4, 2010.

Commitment to justice is very consistent with Reformed Theology and
will be an important value and emphasis for the World Communion of
Reformed Churches, which will come into being in June 2010.  The WCRC
will build on a long history of justice related actions.  This history
includes declaring apartheid sinful and its theological justification
a heresy, as well as working for gender justice, economic justice and
justice for persons affected by HIV/AIDS.  All members of the working
Group affirm such a forthright stance of faith and continue to call
for strengthening our Christian witness in any situation in which life
is compromised.  We must confess that we have not always been faithful
to God in working for justice.  Apartheid, other forms of racism,
gender injustice, injustice in the economy and climate injustice are
just a few of the areas in which churches have often found themselves
complicit.  We give thanks to God that we all agree that these
injustices should not be found in our churches. We are called upon to
expose them and to work for justice.

The WCRC and its member churches understand our calling as a communion
to be intricately linked with our commitment to justice. The ongoing
reflection of churches on Communion and justice, as well as the work
of covenanting for justice in the economy and the earth, will provide
key elements for the discussions that will provide vision and
direction for the future.  The encounters with native Americans during
the Uniting General Council will be an expression of our commitment to
justice for all.  We pray that what we will learn in those encounters
will inspire us to honour people of the first nations in the Americas
as well as deepen our commitment for justice for all.

We celebrate with joy the work of the Holy Spirit in uniting the two
ecumenical instruments of the Reformed family. This union will foster
spiritual and church renewal as well as deepen how we apply Reformed
theology to actions and challenges of the 21st century.

We invite all to pray towards the Uniting General Council and the
formation of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

The WARC-REC Joint Working Group consists of five members each from
the Reformed Ecumenical Council and the World Alliance of Reformed
Churches including their Presidents and General Secretaries.

> ***

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:
> Kristine Greenaway
> 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

> email: kgr@warc.ch

> web: www.warc.ch