A press briefing organized by the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) on 23 October offered local and international press an opportunity to hear about key outcomes and impressions from the 27th WCRC General Council, held 14-23 October in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
WCRC leaders expressed joy at not only the main outcome of the General Council—a message entitled “Hope Beyond the Tears”—but at the respectful and prayerful tone of the deliberation themselves.
God’s Family
Rev. Dr Setri Nyomi, outgoing WCRC general secretary, expressed deep appreciation for the way in which the General Council discerned together.
“The last ten days have been a celebration of our being communion together,” he said. “I want to thank God for how we gelled as a communion. Yes, even around some things we still have differences—but that is God’s family.”
There were many words of gratitude for the hosts of the General Council, the Church of Christ in Thailand.
“I think Chiang Mai has given us a lot of lessons,” said outgoing WCRC President Rev. Najla Kassab. “We were enriched by the hospitality that we noticed by, not only by the churches but by the local leaders.”
The General Council saw a lot of cultural richness in Chiang Mai, added Kassab. “Also, we were inspired by the role that the church has in the society, a church that wants to share the love on the streets,” she said. “As a person who comes from the Middle East and from Lebanon, I appreciate the inter-religious diversity and respect that is in this place.”
Nyomi expressed appreciation for the welcome the General Council received, and for the musical gifts shared by large choirs.
“It is that same welcome that enabled us, from different cultures around the world, to be able to function, to be able to feel free to deliberate together, even on some difficult issues,” he said.
Incoming WCRC General Secretary Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock echoed the appreciation for Thai hospitality. “Every delegate who came to this meeting will take a little bit of Thailand away with them as they go back to their home countries,” he said.
Dr Duangsuda Sribuaai, academic dean of the McGilvary College of Divinity and representing the Church of Christ in Thailand, expressed gratitude for being part of the General Council, and seeing strong unity and cooperation among churches around the world.
“We learned a new awareness of the issues you have have been talking about,” she said. “Talking with you gave us a picture of the issues not only in Chiang Mai and in Thailand but around the world.”
The Work Ahead
Questions from the press also touched on women in leadership, both within the WCRC itself and within its 230 churches in 109 countries across the globe.
Kassab was the first female ever elected as a WCRC president. “We are happy that my successor is another woman, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, who will be leading the Communion in the coming years,” said Kassab.
Peacock acknowledged that there is still work to do with regard to women in leadership among Reformed churches. “On the one hand, 83% of our churches ordain women,” he said. “But in all our churches, only 23% of our leadership are women.”
Commemorating 150 Years
WCRC leaders also mentioned a celebration service commemorating 150 years of WCRC history as an especially meaningful part of the 27th General Council. “The whole service was so meaningful in capturing 150 years of our life together and bringing that into our present tense, joined by the ecumenical community,” Nyomi said. “It was symbolized for me in the 150-member choir that sang here, and when I heard that more than than half of the choir was from Buddhist communities—we can sing together, make a difference together.”
The press conference concluded with WCRC leaders urging people to share the message of the General Council. “It also has been inspiring for us to be able to be together, and therefore my hope is that, apart from what is in the message, that people returning home will carry that spirit that we are one family together,” he said.
Watch the presser below.
