wfn.org | World Communion of Reformed Churches is Born

["Daphne Martin_Gnanadason" <Daphne.Martin_Gnanadason@warc.ch>]

>Uniting General Council 2010 
>News Release 
>18 June 2010

>World Communion of Reformed Churches is Born
>By Jerry L. Van Marter, UGC correspondent
>More than 80 million Reformed Christians in 108 countries around
>the world formally united Friday when the World Alliance of
>Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council
>(REC) approved articles of union and a constitution bringing them
>together as the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
>The merger of the two organizations took place at the Uniting
>General Council, which is meeting through June 28 on the campus
>of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the upper Midwest
>of the United States.
>Although the long-awaited merger went through, afternoon
>discussion on passage of a constitution and bylaws grew lively
>and took longer than planned over the issue of representation of
>women on committees and in leadership positions in the new body.
>“We had a very vigorous and intense conversation. It may have
>taken us longer than we thought it would,” but God remained with
>delegates and the Holy Spirit helped to guide the discussion,
>said Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of WARC who chaired the
>discussions for his organization that led to the formation of the
>WCRC.
>By late afternoon, the two separate ecumenical bodies became
>one. Afterward, delegates gathered around tables to sign the
>documents passed by the assembly.
>REC was represented by 79 delegates from 28 of its member
>churches. WARC had 301 delegates from 132 member churches
>present. 
>Kirkpatrick noted that 73 participants, including 46 delegates,
>were denied visas to attend the event by the US government. “We
>need to acknowledge the deep pain we feel about the absence of
>these brothers and sisters,” he said.
>The daylong series of events included separate meetings of the
>REC and WARC, an opening worship service, recognitions of several
>leaders who have been instrumental in the unification process, an
>exchange of greetings and gifts between WCRC officials and Native
>American leaders and a gala reception celebrating the union.
>The articles of union affirm “that such an act of union is
>implemented not only in order to carry out the major aims for
>which both organizations have existed separately, but also in
>order to respond to God’s call for service in the church and the
>world.”
>The 64-year-old REC — with 41 member churches in 25 countries
>representing 12 million members — approved the union unanimously
>with no debate.
>It was a different story with WARC, which dates back to 1875 and
>numbers 214 member churches in 107 countries representing 75
>million members. The intense discussion over representation by
>women was led by delegates seeking assurance that the
>organization’s longstanding commitments to racial and women’s
>justice will go forward.
>Speaking for the Pre-Assembly Women’s Conference, the Rev. Dora
>Arce-Valentin of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba, said,
>“During these past years we have seen many advances in the
>role and status of women — we must not retreat.” 
>Those underlying tensions rose again during consideration of the
>draft constitution Friday afternoon. After more than 90 minutes
>of debate, the group amended the document to provide that “when a
>church sends four or more delegates (to General Council
>meetings), half shall be women.” The drafting committee’s
>recommendation was one-third women. 
>In a related action designed to ensure the participation of
>youth as well as women, the group increased from two to three the
>number of delegates accorded to churches with less than 100,000
>members. Larger delegations were already mandated to include at
>least one delegate 30 years of age or younger.
>Some delegates expressed hope that the new organization would
>make sure to show sensitivity to its member churches as it moves
>forward.
>Charity Majiza, of the Uniting Church in Australia, referred to
>the suspension of three South African churches. In 1972 WARC
>declared apartheid a sin and those churches that supported it
>heretical. She sought assurance that WCRC would address the
>“woundedness in our separation and not gloss over it.” 
>Kirkpatrick responded that racial justice is “a bedrock
>commitment” that will go forward, noting that the REC has
>committed to support of the Accra Confession: Covenanting for
>Justice in the Economy and the Earth, adopted by WARC in 2004
>that reaffirms its commitment to global economic and climate
>justice. 
>Peter Borgdorff, president of REC, called the day’s events a
>“construction zone,” proof that God is using all Reformed
>Christians to “build a new spiritual house for God.” 
>Kirkpatrick said, “I do believe it is God’s intention that we
>live together in unity and I thank God for this momentous day …
>in which we are not just called to be more cooperative, but to be
>one in Jesus Christ.”
>The Uniting General Council 2010 in Grand Rapids, United States
>(June 18-28) marks the merger of the World Alliance of Reformed
>Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council to form the World
>Communion of Reformed Churches. 

>Contact: Kristine Greenaway
>Executive Secretary, Communications
>World Communion of Reformed Churches

UGC News Room – Calvin College - Hoogenboom Center Room HC 204
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