I greet you on behalf of the delegation of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches [Warc]. We thank you for the invitation to attend this general synod.

After a long period of strained relationship between the Dutch Reformed Church [NGK] and Warc we have come here to assure you of our pastoral concern and desire to restore fellowship. We wish to open a new chapter and to make a new beginning. Let us do so in the spirit of repentance, mutual forgiveness and reconciliation.

Last year the World Alliance at its 23rd general council in Debrecen (Hungary) adopted a joint resolution in the hope that this general synod would do the same. The decision of the general council in Ottawa 1982 speaks about three requirements. Today we are seeking your assurance that also the third requirement has been met: "an unequivocal synod resolution rejecting apartheid" Therefore the most important sentence of the joint resolution reads as follows: "The Dutch Reformed Church assures the churches of the Alliance that it rejects apartheid as wrong and sinful not simply in its effects and operations but also in its fundamental nature." This is the last hurdle on our difficult way to coming together, to overcoming separation and renewing our fruitful cooperation. Friends, there are no other conditions and new goalposts.

The general council in Ottawa declared status confessionis regarding the situation of apartheid and its theological justification. Let me explain what the Alliance meant by such a radical step. Status confessionis addressed a particular situation. It stemmed from the conviction that the integrity of the proclamation of the Gospel was in danger. It was and is a call from error into truth. It brings to light an error which threatens a particular church community. The danger inherent in that error puts in jeopardy the integrity of the proclamation of all churches. Regarding apartheid and its theological justification the general council in Debrecen reaffirmed the status confessionis declared in Ottawa 1982. Historical developments since then do not cancel the validity and relevance of such a decision.

Status confessionis is a very radical action in Reformed tradition. In the epistle to the Romans the apostle uses several times the Greek phrase Mé genoito - Let it not be! Status confessionis is a warning and reminder that something is so important and existential that it pertains to the very core and integrity of our faith. We want to help each other and warn each other in order not to fall into a trap. Status confessionis is like the Mé genoito - it warns us not to go any further. It is a red light at the crossroads or a railing over the abyss.

I am aware of the fact that many of you link status confessionis with the confession of Belhar. The Belhar confession was a outcry of faith. It was a call to repentance at a particular historic moment. The Belhar confession speaks to specific problems in this country but especially in the present struggle for justice it has wider implications for the church universal.

The declaration of Barmen has become a symbol of the church struggle against the perverted doctrines of the pro-Nazi movement, Deutsche Christen. In a similar way, the confession of Belhar is a symbol of the Christian struggle against apartheid and its theological underpinning. In the process of unification with the Uniting Church and Reformed Church in Africa, I commend your church for having taken up the Belhar confession and studied it in your congregations, presbyteries and regional synods. I rejoice in the fact that many of you are ready to say that you accept the substance of the Belhar confession. However, you are not in a position to accept the Belhar confession in addition to your three classical confessional statements.

I respect your position. Early in its history, 100 years ago, the World Alliance rejected the idea of having one confession or writing a new common confession. Therefore we are not authorized and entitled to impose any particular confession. We have no authority and no intention of forcing you to adopt the confession of Belhar. If you accept the joint resolution of Debrecen - I repeat - tomorrow there will be no additional conditions and additional goalposts.

Nowadays South African society lives in a post-apartheid situation. In the past your country was an outcast in the civilized world. Today as a society you are setting an important example. It is not incidental and indeed it is very fitting that today, with regard to South Africa, people speak about a miracle. With great admiration we have followed the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We pray that the course which this country has started in 1994 may be continued and that your church and other churches may fully participate in this hopeful process and development. I also hope that you will vigorously pursue the process of unification of churches in the Dutch Reformed family.

Warc is today [1998] a fellowship of 214 member churches linking 75 million Reformed Christians around the world. We wish to be enriched by your spiritual gifts, your piety and dedication. By our presence here we wish to express our solidarity and pastoral accompaniment of you in this period of transition. We did not come to pass judgments and condemnations. Our errors, sins and the blunders of our ancestors are in God's hands. We commend each other to God's mercy.

We find ourselves at the crossroad. Today is a special moment - and I dare to say: it is a kairos. If we miss this opportunity we probably will drift further away from each other. I pray that God may give you vision and courage in this historic moment to take a bold step and to adopt the joint resolution of Debrecen in its integrity. May the triune God help us and may the triune God have mercy on us!