Absorbing the many remarks, questions, and dialogue from a day with the theme “Perseveringin Covenanting for Justice,” World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) General Council delegates continued their discernment sessions on Oct. 18, moving into small groups to discuss proposed strategies on which they will ultimately vote.
Discernment groups are the main spaces for debate and wrestling with issues that will become decisions of the General Council. There are 20 discernment groups: 16 in English, one in French, one in Bahasa Indonesian, and one in German and English. These groups wrestle with, debate, refine, and affirm proposals coming from the listening sessions in preparation fordecision-making.
As Rev. Michael Blair, a delegate from the United Church of Canada, moderated a discernmentgroup discussing a certain proposal, he asked: “How do we feel about that as a general commitment of the WCRC? Is it something we feel like we can affirm?”
The group then discussed and determined whether they were in consensus. Their input will bereceived by the larger body of the General Council.
“To Be Reformed Is To Be Ecumenical.”
On Oct. 18, ecumenical engagement of the WCRC was on the minds of many in the discerning group, and several of those present brought up the fact that, in addition to dialogue and action with other faith-based groups, working ecumenically also helps address scarcity of resources and the logic of collaboration for impact.
From different regions across the globe, they also discussed what working ecumenically meant in their own contexts.
“In Malaysia, we work very closely with Reformed, Pentecostal, Catholic churches, and others,”said Dr Lim Kar Hor, a delegate from the Presbyterian Church of Malaysia. “In my context, I don’t see interfaith as a big issue because Christians are a minority and we have worked together without many problems.”
Working Together
The delegates also discussed the fruits of ecumenism—and why the WCRC should pursue it in the first place.
“We want our dialogue to move us to a place where we can act and speak with others aroundadvocacy and justice issues,” said Rev. Tara Curlewis, a delegate from the Church of Scotland who is also the WCRC ecumenical liaison in Rome.
As the group considered the proposals before them, they also dialogued over what certain words really mean when churches across the world might try to carry forth related actions. One proposed strategy involves “accompanying member churches in conflict situations that are fueled by religious tensions.” The group explored: What does “accompany” mean in this case?
