WARC - World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Disciples look at closer ties

[Worldwide Faith News]

World Alliance of Reformed Churches
News Release
11 August 2008


World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Disciples look at closer ties

A meeting of World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and
Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC) leaders should
pave the way for a closer relationship between the two
organizations.

WARC and DECC leaders met 26 to 27 July at the Disciples of
Christ Historical Society in Nashville, Tennessee, to continue
their conversations on “the development of a comprehensive
partnership in pursuit of the visible unity of the church.”

DECC is a council of 19 Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ,
United and Uniting churches established in 1979 to strengthen
their common calling to visible unity and mission. Though not a
legislative body, it works to enable its member churches to
consult with each other about issues of faith, witness and unity.
DECC represents 4.5 million Christians around the world.

WARC is a body of Reformed, Congregational, Presbyterian,
Waldensian, United and Uniting churches who have since the late
19th century engaged in common witness to Christ and in
strengthening their common calling for the unity of the church.
It is currently in the process of uniting with the Reformed
Ecumenical Council (REC).

WARC and DECC have been in dialogue since the mid-1980s.

The Nashville meeting focused on the relationship between the
two groups in light of the plans for WARC to merge in 2010 with
REC, forming the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).

Following the meeting the DECC Reference Committee agreed to ask
its member churches to consider a proposal that DECC become an
associate member of WCRC so that there might be closer ties in
relation to the programmes and governance of WCRC.

WARC general secretary Setri Nyomi said the Nashville meeting
marked a “potentially significant” step in the pursuit of
Christian unity. “We welcome this important move.”

Robert Welsh, general secretary of DECC, stated, “This
gathering marked an important moment for DECC in deepening the
partnership we have shared with WARC since 1987, now to include
the Reformed Ecumenical Council.

“It is significant that several united churches around the
world are already members of both bodies and have been a voice
encouraging us to pursue closer relationships in the future.”

The meeting of WARC and DECC leaders also recommended:

- that WARC and REC submit the draft WCRC Constitution to DECC
in order to seek comments to be considered for the final
version;
- that WARC and DECC share reports of the current status of
their separate dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church, as well
as their ideas for the future of these talks;
- that WARC share its plans for marking the John Calvin Jubilee
in 2009 so that DECC can consider participating;
- that WARC share its and WCRC’s ideas on spiritual renewal so
that DECC can consider participating in such efforts.


***


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