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Semper Reformanda |
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Proceedings |
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Church |
Preacher |
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Mester Street |
Bishop István Csete Szemesi (Yugoslavia) |
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Kossuth Street |
Bishop László Tökés (Romania) |
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Small Church |
Bishop Lajos Gulácsy (Ukraine) |
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Great Church |
Bishop Géza Erdélyi (Slovakia) |
Picnic in the Great Forest
At 15.00 council participants visited the Great Forest where they were entertained by different groups from the Debrecen area with a varied, polished and delightful cultural programme of music and dancing. Afterwards, they partook of an excellent meal of Hungarian goulash in accommodation kindly provided by the army of the Republic of Hungary. Vice-president, HE Mr Benjamin Masilo, expressed appreciation on behalf of the council to the churches of Debrecen and to all who had contributed to a most enjoyable day.
Committee meetings
The section and committee leadership team met at 18.30 in the Assembly Hall of the Reformed College.
The committee on nominations, the policy committee, and the public issues committee held their first meetings at 20.00 in the Reformed College and Teachers' Training College.
Video opportunities
Also at 20.00 a programme of videos was presented in the Theatre of the Teachers' Training College, featuring:
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North Korea |
Seasons and Customs of Korea |
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Brazil |
The Children's Project |
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India |
Delhi Street Children: a Bright Tomorrow |
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Ghana |
Ray of Hope |
Evening prayers were held in the Great Church at 21.30.
Monday, August 11 1997
Morning worship was conducted by delegates from India and led by Bishop Peter Vinod. Bible study was scheduled to follow business session V.
Business session V: 9.00-10.30
The general council was called to order by the president at 9.00.
Greetings
Ms Joy Michael brought greetings to the council from Ms Shanti Solomon (Church of North India), who was to have attended as an official guest of the general council. Ms Solomon was a former Vice-president of WARC and the founding spirit of the Fellowship of the Least Coin.
Through Ms Michael, Shanti Solomon expressed her great regret at having had to cancel her attendance for health reasons and asked for God's guidance for the council in all its decisions.
Plenary prepared by the women and youth
The report of the women's preconference was presented by Ms Lydia Aku Eleblu (Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana), the chair of the preconference. As a result of worship, reflection, sharing and prayer, the women described instances of broken chains and unbroken chains and made suggestions for action (Appendix 12).
With colourful masks and music, the participants of the Reformed youth forum demonstrated from their experiences and insights the chains of injustice which they saw in the world, as well as their recommendations for action (Appendix 13).
No action was taken on either report. They would be studied by the appropriate section or committee for reporting back at a later session.
Greetings
Bishop László Tökés (Reformed Church in Romania) read a greeting from the Hungarian Reformed Federation, which links Hungarian-speaking Reformed Christians in forty countries around the world. He was grateful that the general council was for the first time meeting in central and eastern Europe, where its theme had special meaning. He expressed the hope that the general council might be helpful in maintaining freedom in the region and in ensuring the correct relationships between church and state.
Pattern of work, Monday to Thursday
Worship and Bible study would continue each morning, but there would be no further business sessions until Friday. Each day would be used for section, subsection and committee work, as scheduled. A special programme had been designed for visitors, who could not attend section or committee meetings.
Regional meetings
Regional meetings were held at 20.00 with the regions paying particular attention to nominations for the executive committee as well as particular issues in the regions that needed to surface in either a section or a committee.
Tuesday, August 12 1997
Morning worship in the form of a creative drama was led by youth delegates. Following a number of notices, the council dispersed to Bible study groups. Section and subsection meetings were held from 11.00 to 12.30 and from 17.00 to 18.30. committees met from 15.00 to 16.30.
Evening programme
- At 20.00 participants in the council were invited to a concert in the Great Church given by the Reformed College Kántus conducted by Mr Sándor Berkesi and Mr András Kurgyis. Ms Hedwig Jakab was the organist. Those attending showed their appreciation of the programme by prolonged applause.
- Finance officers of member churches held a meeting at the same time.
- A variety of events took place in the Agora.
Evening prayers were held in the Great Church following the concert.
Wednesday, August 13 1997
Morning worship at 8.00 was led by delegates from Africa and took the form of a service of holy communion. Rev Muthoni Ruth Ngaari gave the sermon.
Greetings
The president welcomed Rev José Belo Chipenda, secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, who expressed his gratitude to WARC for making it possible for many delegates from AACC churches to attend the council. The Presbyterians, Methodists and Lutherans had performed an excellent ecumenical job in the 20th century. There were now 300 million Christians in Africa compared with 10 million at the beginning of the century. The All Africa Conference of Churches, founded in 1963, hoped that WARC would continue to support it. The churches were "troubled, but not destroyed" by a number of factors of which he gave examples:
- Churches tended to divide in a way which frustrated unity and weakened witness.
- In Rwanda, the Moslem community was the only religious community which had not participated in the recent killings.
- In Angola, Jehovah's Witnesses evangelized more effectively than the churches.
- Non-Governmental organizations were doing more than the churches in terms of relief work.
These and other factors would make it necessary for the October assembly of the AACC in Addis Ababa, the last of the 20th century, to identify new frontiers and make a fresh beginning.
Following the announcements, the council dispersed to Bible study groups. Section meetings were held from 11.00 to 12.30 and from 17.00 to 18.30. Committees met from 15.00 to 16.30.
Forum on economic justice
At 20.00 a Forum on economic justice was sponsored by delegates from the south (Appendix 22).
Evening prayers were held in the Great Church at 21.30.
Thursday, August 14 1997
The general council met at 8.00 in the Great Church for worship led by the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. The address was given by Ms Elizabeth Lena Gana.
Greetings
Following worship, greetings were brought by Grand Protopresbyter Dr Georges Tsetsis, who read a message from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios expressing gratefulness for the dialogue between the Orthodox and Reformed churches and sending his best wishes to the general council (see Appendix 14).
Pakistani independence
The Pakistani delegation read a statement commemorating Pakistan's independence from Great Britain on 14 August 1947. As the Christians of Pakistan continue to struggle against injustice, they uphold the fundamental principle that all Pakistanis are citizens of one state.
General council participants then went to their Bible study groups. Section and subsection meetings were held from 11.00 to 12.30 and from 17.00 to 18.30. Committees met from 15.00 to 16.30.
Forums
At 20.00 Forum meetings were held on the following subjects. Korean reunification; Congo (Zaire); and the International Elders Association. A Forum planned on changes in church and society after 1989 was cancelled.
Various events took place in the Agora. Evening prayers were held in the Great Church at 21.30.
Friday, August 15 1997
Morning worship was led by delegates from North America. Following notices, members went to their Bible study groups.
Business session VI: 10.45-12.30
The business session was opened by the president at 10.45.
Greetings
The president welcomed Rev Jean-Jacques Bauswein, editor of the Handbook of Reformed Churches Worldwide, who told the council that this publication, to be published in English in 1998, would be the first to list all of the Reformed churches, approximately 750, which exist and work in 155 countries. He appealed to council members to check entries for corrections and to supply any further information they might have regarding other churches.
Rev Ragi Khouri (Evangelical Arab Church of São Paulo, Brazil) asked the president to accept a jewelled dagger as a gift from his church. He spoke of the work which his church had done in providing for the elderly and needy in São Paulo, and of the difficulties he and his late wife had had in carrying through the project. The president thanked him for his gift and his perseverance.
Committee on nominations
The president invited Rev Robert Stanley Wood (Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America), chair of the committee on nominations, to present the report of his committee. One member of the committee, Rev Carlos Camps (Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba), had withdrawn; but the seven remaining had prepared a slate of nominations for president, vice-presidents, moderators of the departments and 25 members. It was proposed to follow the tradition of previous general councils whereby the immediate past president becomes an honorary member of the executive committee. The president indicated her willingness to accept this position. She invited the council to receive the document,3 which would be examined at a later session. It was moved, seconded and passed by acclamation that the report be received and the committee be thanked.
Stewards
The president introduced Mr Zoltán Tarr, Chief steward, and thanked him and the other 51 stewards who had done so much to make arrangements for council members run smoothly and pleasantly. The stewards came forward and were individually introduced to the council, after which they sang the hymn, "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice". Members of the council showed their appreciation with loud applause.
Orientation for weekend visits to Hungary and neighbouring countries
Rev Bertalan Tamás explained the arrangements made in respect to the visits that would be made over the weekend to churches in Hungary and neighbouring countries. He also announced that the collection for the benefit of the Emmanuel Home for handicapped children amounted to $2,640.
Arrangements for departure
Dr Robert Lodwick, Coordinator for the 23rd general council, introduced Mr Douglas Chial, thanking him for the major contribution he had made to the administration of the council. Mr Chial carefully explained the schedule for departures and asked the participants to consult the departure lists posted outside the Registration room/Message centre.
Memorial for the galley slaves
Rev Bertalan Tamás spoke of the 32 seventeenth-century pastors who, at the time of the Counter-Reformation, had been condemned to be galley slaves by a court held at Bratislava in 1673. After great suffering, they were released by Dutch Admiral Ruyter in 1676. The event was commemorated by a memorial on the grounds of the Great Church. When Pope John Paul II had visited Debrecen in 1992, he had prayed at the monument for those who had suffered this treatment.
Of those present at the council, Prof Pieter Holtrop was a direct descendant of Admiral Ruyter, while Dr Maria Czegledy-Gaal was a direct descendent of one of the galley slaves. Together they led the council in a procession from the Great Church to the monument, where they laid a commemorative wreath. Bishop Bölcskei offered a prayer that we might remain in unbroken fellowship with these heroes, following which the hymn, "O Zion haste", and a Hungarian hymn were sung.
Business session VII: 15.00-16.30
The president called the business session to order after the singing of "Jesus, where can we find you?" from Thuma Mina.
Report of section I:Reformed faith and the search for unity (Appendix 15)
Dr J. Dorcas Gordon, convener of section I: Reformed faith and the search for unity, presented the report. Dr Gordon thanked all who had worked on the report, especially the leadership team of the subsections. It was moved, seconded and passed that the section I report be received by the council.
Recommendations 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 16 were passed without debate. After extended debate and discussion, Recommendations 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17 were approved as originally presented.
Recommendation 13: An amendment was proposed to substitute the word "liberation" for the word "redemption", since redemption refers to God's work through Jesus Christ. The amendment was seconded and passed. The recommendation was then passed and reads as follows: "The churches need to discern which elements of their culture contribute to the suffering of people and which ones are bases for liberation." Further consideration of the section I report was postponed until session VIII.
Greetings
Dr Richard Van Houten of the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) came forward to bring greetings. He described his organization as similar to WARC but smaller, consisting of 34 churches in 22 countries. He pointed out the considerable overlap between the two organizations, as 19 of these 34 churches are also members of WARC and another 3 were represented at the council. He stated that although REC churches came out of a more pietist and separatist tradition, it was REC's desire to explore cooperation with the Alliance in a spirit of openness in areas of mutual concern.
Business session VIII: 17.00-18.30
Report of section I (continued)
Recommendation 18 was amended to read as follows: "The general council asks that the Alliance, which places high value on proclamation, promote reflection upon, and training in effective ways of proclamation such as storytelling with a view to holding workshops on these ways." The recommendation was seconded and passed.
Recommendation 19 was passed as amended by the convener to read as follows: "The general council asks that the Alliance continue to encourage member churches to initiate and improve dialogue with our sisters and brothers in other Christian communities."
Recommendation 20 was moved and seconded. An amendment was then proposed that in relation to the call for action on this issue, the following be added: "That the department of theology initiate consultation, study and reflection upon the inclusion of people of different sexual orientations in the koinonia and that member churches be called upon fully to include those of minority ethnic and social groups, for example, Gypsies and Dalits." After several speakers expressed concern about mixing the emphasis on women with other issues, it was moved, seconded and passed that the original recommendation be named recommendation 20a and that the proposed amendment be named recommendation 20b. Recommendation 20a was brought to a vote and passed. Returning to recommendation 20b, it was moved and seconded that, following the word "reflection", "upon the pastoral concern for" be added. After discussion, the recommendation failed. It was moved, seconded and agreed that recommendation 20b be referred to the public issues committee where the same subject was already being handled.
Recommendation 21 was moved and seconded. An amendment was moved that the words "follow the Calvinistic ethos and" be deleted that and "in accordance with the historical Reformed emphasis" be inserted in the first sentence. A second amendment proposed adding the words "continue to" before the word "resist" in the first sentence. Both amendments were passed. The first sentence of recommendation 21 now reads: "The general council asks that the Alliance, in accordance with the historical Reformed emphasis, continue to resist the tendency to withdraw from the public sphere.
Saturday & Sunday, August 16-17 1997
Arrangements were made for participants to visit and take part in worship in Reformed churches in Hungary and neighbouring countries. For those who remained in Debrecen, events were arranged in the Agora on both evenings.
Monday, August 18 1997
Morning worship was led by participants from the Pacific, with a reflection by Ms Katalina Tahaafa, a steward from Tonga/Australia.
Business session IX: 9.00-10.30
Owing to the pressure of business, Bible study was cancelled and the business session was called to order at 9.00. Tellers were asked to meet before the afternoon business session to prepare for the election.
Covenant
It was announced that the Swedish Mission Covenant Church and the Church of Christ in Congo were to sign a covenant during the coffee break at 10.15.
New area councils
The meeting proceeded to consider the recognition of two new areas:
Latin America: Rev Dr Abival Pires da Silveira introduced the recommendation of the executive committee regarding the Association of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches in Latin America (AIPRAL) and confirmed that the by-laws proposed had received its approval. It was now for the council to confirm this approval. Mr Epifanio Márquez, executive secretary of AIPRAL, spoke of his joy that thirty years of patient work in the family of Reformed churches in Latin America was now coming to fruition. He drew attention to various publications prepared by AIPRAL and invited the president to receive a hand-painted ceramic plate as a souvenir gift in the name of AIPRAL. Receiving it, the president expressed her thanks and satisfaction. After asking for questions and comments, the president put the recommendation, which had been duly seconded, to the meeting, which approved it by acclamation.
Northeast Asia: Attorney Emilio Capulong, Jr moved a similar recommendation from the executive committee with regard to the proposed Northeast Asia regional council, whose by-laws had likewise been approved by the executive committee. Dr Sung-Bihn Yim, secretary of the regional council, saw the two-year old body as the nucleus of a wider regional fellowship and expressed his happiness with its activity and vision. After inviting questions and comments the president put the recommendation of the executive committee, duly seconded, to the meeting, which carried it by acclamation.
Dutch Reformed Church (NGK) of South Africa
HE Benjamin Masilo presented the recommendation of the executive committee regarding the relationship of WARC and the NGK (Appendix 23). The general secretary outlined the background since 1982, when apartheid was identified as a relevant cause for declaring status confessionis at Ottawa, and subsequent discussions. On August 7 1997 the executive committee agreed that the suspension of the church could be lifted on condition that the synod of the Dutch Reformed Church, at its 1998 synod meeting, adopt the "Proposed joint resolution between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Dutch Reformed Church (NGK)".
A participant suggested that the word "race" be replaced by "origin and community" in the pastoral Letter to be sent to the church. The president stated that the text of the letter could not be changed, but that comments would be kept in mind by the executive committee. The recommendation, moved by HE Benjamin Masilo and duly seconded, was put to the meeting and approved. The recommendation would now be passed to the DRC for their action.
Rev Freek Swanepoel, moderator of the Dutch Reformed Church, expressed his sincere thanks for the resolution and pastoral Letter. The council had opened the door to welcome the DRC back into the Reformed family; he trusted that the DRC would react in 1998 with the required response. He acknowledged and appreciated the role of WARC in the DRC's change of heart regarding the sinful justification of apartheid biblically. The DRC was fully committed to church unity within the DRC family, and to freedom, justice and a decent life for all the people of South Africa. Its burning desire was for a growing church.
The general secretary led the meeting in prayer, following which the first verse of the hymn, "Now thank we all our God" was sung.
Business session X: 11.00-12.30
Report of the policy committee(Appendix 19)
Bishop Suputhrappa Vasanthakumar (Church of South India), Convener of the policy committee, presented the Conveners of the Subcommittees and thanked them for their work.
I. From Seoul to Debrecen:
Recommendations 1 to 10 were moved, seconded and passed without debate.
II. The Alliance beyond 1997:
- Inclusive community: The following text and recommendation were brought before the council:
"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Baptism and the Lord's supper are sacraments of inclusion, and our church community needs to reflect what we sacramentally celebrate.
Recommendation: The general council affirms that the Alliance, as a worldwide family of Reformed churches, should strive to be as inclusive as possible; and agrees that the Alliance must now put on its agenda issues of inclusive community regarding, not only women and youth, but also children, people with different physical and intellectual abilities, people of different sexual orientations (heterosexual and homosexual), and people with diverse theologies.
This gave rise to a good deal of discussion, based partly on the feeling that it was inappropriate to bracket together all the categories of people referred to, and partly on widely differing positions regarding sexual orientation. A suggestion was made that the recommendation might be divided into separate groups, but this was not put to the meeting in view of a motion to defer the matter until the report of the public issues committee. The motion was proposed, seconded and - Regionalization: Recommendation 11 was moved and seconded. An amendment to delete the last sentence was apparently passed by an initial show of hands, but upon request for a count by the tellers, was lost by 187 votes to 141. An amendment to replace the word "struggle" by "work" was lost. The original text was then put to the council and passed.
Recommendations 12, 13, 14 and 16 were moved, seconded and passed without debate.
A delegate from Denmark moved that recommendation 15 be deleted as her small church did not feel dominated or marginalized in any way. This was seconded but failed to pass. The original recommendation, duly seconded, was approved. - Youth: Recommendation 17 was moved, seconded and passed without debate. An amendment to introduce the words "be encouraged to" after "churches" was moved, seconded and approved. The original motion, as amended, was then moved, seconded and approved to read: "That the network of Reformed youth organizations be strengthened, in order that young people from our churches be encouraged to work together against injustice in church and society."
Recommendation 18 was moved, seconded and passed after discussion.
Recommendation 19 was moved, seconded and passed without debate.
An amendment to recommendation 20, aimed at removing the words "if possible" was seconded and passed. An amendment to add "provided that funds are available" was lost. The original resolution, as amended, was then approved and reads: "That the youth coordinator's post be maintained and filled by someone from the south."
Recommendation 21 was moved, seconded and passed without debate.
A recommendation "that the workings of the councils and committees abandon traditional oratory methods in favour of barrier-breaking methods of communication" was deferred until the subsection on communications in section V. Finance of the policy committee report (see recommendation 47). - Staffing and Solidarity: Recommendation 22 was moved, seconded and passed without debate.
Recommendation 23, after discussion was moved, seconded and passed in its original form. (See also recommendation 26.)
Recommendation 24, after discussion, was moved, seconded and passed in its original form.
Recommendation 25 was amended to replace the word "determined" with the word "guided". The recommendation, moved and seconded, was approved to read: "Affirms that future staffing levels must be guided by the council's vision for the future, rather than being finance-driven."
Recommendations 26 and 23: It was felt that the general council could not deal with prioritizing the vast amount of work already laid on the staff, and that the matter should be referred to the Business and executive committees. The Parliamentarian suggested that an amendment to this effect should be added to recommendation 23: "That the business committee in conjunction with the new executive committee report on a process for prioritising work in relation to WARC's resources and capacity." This amendment was moved, seconded and passed. Recommendation 23, including this addition, was moved, seconded and passed.
Grace before lunch was offered by Rev Maria Luiza Rückert (United Presbyterian Church of Brazil) and the council adjourned.
Business session XI: 14.00-16.30
The council was called to order, after which Rev Samuel Ador thanked members for their visits and prayers during his stay in the hospital.
Greetings
The general secretary read a letter of greetings from Canon John Peterson, general secretary of the Anglican communion, expressing appreciation of the rich and diverse heritage of the Reformed churches, with particular reference to their sense of God's justice. Through working together the obstacles which divide the two communities would eventually be resolved. He prayed for God's rich blessing on the work of the council (see Appendix 14).
Report on indigenous peoples
HE Benjamin Masilo moved a resolution from the business committee: "That, understanding the seriousness of the relations of our churches to indigenous peoples, the matter be referred to the executive committee for consideration as soon as possible." The resolution was seconded and passed without debate.
Report of the policy committee (continued)
Recommendation 26 (continued): The council returned to consideration of this recommendation. The president explained that the text meant that a comprehensive review of all positions, without exception, would be made with a view to establishing priorities. The recommendation was then moved, seconded and passed.
Recommendation 27 was moved, seconded and approved without debate.
The following recommendations were referred to section V. Finance of the policy committee report:
- "the general council reminds member churches that their financial contributions are a fundamental condition and consequence of their membership", and
- "the general council instructs the executive committee to explore new and creative ways of fund-raising, so that essential staff levels may be safeguarded and maintained."
Proposed amendments to the WARC by-laws: Two such proposals, intended to apply to elections during future general councils and not the current one, were brought before the council:
- By-law III A: Election
Insert after III A) 1) b) a new c): "When two or more members of the executive committee come from the same area or region, at least one of them shall be thirty years of age or under at the time of election." - III A) 3):
Insert the word "age" between "denominational diversity" and "and sex" so that the sentence reads: "The general council, upon recommendation of the executive committee, shall elect a Nominating committee of not more than eight persons, taking into consideration geographical distribution, cultural and denominational diversity, age, and sex."
Both amendments were referred to the executive committee, as was a proposal to add "linguistic distribution" after "geographical distribution" in the latter.
III. Mission and unity:
Recommendation 28 was seconded and passed.
Recommendation 29, referring to churches outside as well as within WARC, was seconded and passed.
Recommendations 30-35 were seconded and passed without debate.
IV. Future meetings of the general council:
Recommendation 36 was moved, seconded and approved without debate.
Recommendations 37 and 38 were moved and seconded. Queries were raised as to the position of the Anglicans and to the meaning of "conversion of the churches" in recommendation 38. It was stated that the Anglicans consider themselves both Catholic and Protestant, and that the intention of recommendation 38 was to move from the separation and division of the past towards signs of unity in the future. Both recommendations were approved without amendment.
Discussion on the policy committee was stopped when the order of the day arrived for the election of officers.
Election of officers and members of the executive committee
The chair of the nominating committee, Rev Robert Stanley Wood (Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America), moved that the report of the nominations committee be received.4 It was seconded and passed. He outlined the basis on which nominations had been made. In answer to a question as to why there was only one nomination for each place, the president reminded members that the custom of the Alliance was to present a list of nominations in this way. Other nominations, with the consent of the nominees, might then be made from the floor. Concern was expressed at the lack of younger people on the list and the limited degree of continuity between the old and new executive committees. Delegates from various areas regretted that nominations had not been made from their particular area. The named candidates were asked to stand so they could be identified.
A proposal that Rule 20 in the Rules of procedure for the conduct of business be suspended was proposed, seconded but failed. Voting then proceeded.
President
Prof Dr Choan-Seng Song (Presbyterian Church in Taiwan) was elected by unanimous vote. He thanked the meeting for the confidence they had placed in him and invited them to respond and resonate to a new vision of WARC as an instrument of God's reconciliation in the 21st century.
In a tribute to the president-elect and his vision Ms Chia-Chun (Annie) Tsai (Presbyterian Church in Taiwan) sang two songs relating to its theme. She recited the words in English:
"Open the door and window of your mind and soul;
Then we will see the future and we will see the light of spring.
We will see the people be loved;
We will see the dream."
Vice-presidents
- Prof Pieter Holtrop (Reformed Churches in the Netherlands) was nominated in place of Rev André Karamaga (Presbyterian Church in Rwanda). The nomination was withdrawn and Rev André Karamaga was elected.
- Dr Olivia Masih White (United Church of Christ, USA) was elected.
- Prof Pieter Holtrop was nominated in place of Rev Elekosi Viliamu (Congregational Christian Church in Samoa). After a secret ballot, Prof Holtrop was declared elected.
Department moderators
All three were elected unanimously.
- Prof Dr Yong-Bock Kim (Presbyterian Church of Korea) to the department of theology.
- Rev Elizabeth Nash (United Reformed Church in the United Kingdom) to the department of cooperation and witness.
- Dr Herbert Ehnes (National Church of Lippe, Germany) to the department of finance
Members
Where additional names were proposed in place of the committee's nominee, written ballots, using first name only, were used to determine the vote.
Rev Japhet Ndhlovu (Reformed Church in Zambia) was proposed in place of Rev Nyansako-Ni-Nku (Presbyterian Church in Cameroon). Rev Nyansako-Ni-Nku was elected.
Rev Muthoni Ruth Ngaari (Presbyterian Church of East Africa) was proposed in place of Rev Philippe Kabongo-Mbaya (Presbyterian Community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Rev Muthoni Ruth Ngaari was elected.
Rt Rev Samuel Parvey (Church of Pakistan), Rev Charles Jansz (Dutch Reformed Church in Sri Lanka), and Mr Calum Miller (Church of Scotland) were proposed in place of Rev Lal Eng-Zau (Presbyterian Church of Myanmar). Rev Lal Eng-Zau was elected.
Mr Ayub Ghulam Masih (Presbyterian Church of Pakistan) and Dr Sri Wismoady Wahono (East Java Christian Church) were proposed in place of Rev Karel Erari (Evangelical Christian Church in Irian Jaya). Rev Karel Erari was elected.
Rev Leander Warren (Guyana Congregational Union) was proposed in place of Rt Rev Joseph Sahadat (Presbyterian Church in Grenada). Rt Rev Joseph Sahadat was elected.
Ms Kathleen Richards-Mavor (Uniting Church in Australia) was proposed in place of Rev Bertalan Tamás (Reformed Church in Hungary). Rev Bertalan Tamás was elected.
Ms Kathleen Richards-Mavor (Uniting Church in Australia) and Mr Calum Miller (Church of Scotland) were proposed in place of Ms Margrit Leuenberger (Swiss Federation of Protestant Churches). Ms Leuenberger was elected.
Rev Elekosi Viliamu (Congregational Christian Church in Samoa) and Rev Philippe François (Reformed Church of Alsace and Lorraine) were proposed in place of Ms Gunilla Gunner (Mission Covenant Church of Sweden). Ms Gunner was elected.
Mr Saul Pulido Pérez (National Presbyterian Church of Mexico) and Rev Philippe Kabongo-Mbaya (Presbyterian Community of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) were proposed in place of Mr Hermenegildo Méndez García (National Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala). Mr Méndez García was elected.
Dr David Rodríguez Enríquez (Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Mexico) was proposed in place of Ms Thania Izarra de Torres (Presbyterian Church of Venezuela). Ms Torres was elected.
It was proposed that the remaining nominees be accepted as nominated. After discussion, the proposal was amended, so as to accept the remaining nominees as nominated up to and including Rev Dr Paul Haidostian. The proposal was seconded and agreed, thus electing those nominated by the committee.
Ms Kathleen Richards-Mavor (Uniting Church in Australia) asked that her name be withdrawn and nominated Rev Elekosi Viliamu (Congregational Christian Church in Samoa) in her place. Dr Viliamu was elected.
Honorary member of the executive committee
Vice-president, Dr Abival Pires da Silveira took the chair. It had been decided at the 21st general council in Ottawa that the immediate past president might be elected as an honorary member of the executive committee, with the same speaking and voting rights as an elected member. It was moved, seconded and agreed that Dr Jane Dempsey Douglass be elected an honorary member. Pleasure was expressed that the new executive committee would have the benefit of her wisdom and experience.
It was proposed that Ms Kathleen Richards-Mavor and Mr Calum Miller be appointed honorary members as regular youth delegates. The Parliamentarian advised against this as the constitution clearly stipulates only twenty-five elected members.
Business session XII 17.00-18.30
Report of the policy committee (continued)
V. Finance:
Dr Herbert Ehnes, moderator of the department of finance, drew attention to the finance report in From Seoul to Debrecen. Since 1990, expenditures had risen from CHF973,236 to CHF2,082,451. In the same period, general revenue had increased from CHF800,367 to CHF1,265,048. It had been possible to employ extra staff as a result of special contributions, but general revenue had actually fallen since 1993 and only covered 64% of expenditure. Although some churches made contributions in kind, virtually half the churches had made no contribution at all in the last six years. A very high percentage of contributions came from a very few churches. Basically, therefore, the situation was not stable. Dr Ehnes urged members of the council to seek extra support from their churches before the end of the year, by which time the renewal of a number of staff contracts would have to be dealt with. If the present turnover of CHF2,000,000 was to be maintained, an extra CHF7-800,000 was necessary.
Recommendation 39 was moved, seconded and passed.
Recommendation 40 was moved, seconded and passed. It was noted that the budget was calculated on the basis that funding for the executive secretaries of the department of cooperation and witness, the committees on PACT and communications would be available until September 1 1998. It was agreed that the voice of the south needed to be heard in these matters.
Recommendation 41 was moved, seconded and passed.
Recommendation 42 was moved, seconded and passed. The general council agreed with the concern that the budget for the general council was currently showing a deficit. Members were glad to hear that the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) had offered a grant of US$ 100,000 towards the deficit, which would now stand at about CHF200,000. The moderator urged other churches to make similar contributions.
Dr Ehnes thanked members of the department of finance, especially Mr Gerhard Dilschneider, Rev Hugh Davidson and Rev Dr Edwin Mulder, as well as the Finance Coordinator, Ms Renate Herdrich, for their work
A member asked whether the earlier recommendations 24-26 would take precedence over the paragraph dealing with staffing in section V. Finance (subsection on finance beyond the 23rd general council) and received an affirmative answer. The latter paragraph was not a recommendation but only for information.
It was moved, seconded and agreed to add to recommendation 43: "That treasurers of area committees shall be advisers who shall comment on the finance proposals one month before meetings of the executive committee." Recommendation 43 as amended was approved.
A delegate asked that a breakdown of the CANAAC contribution be given and was assured that this was possible.
Another participant wondered whether consideration might be given to relocating the Alliance office in view of the high costs in Switzerland and the enduring hardness of the Swiss franc. The moderator said that this matter had been discussed and would continue to be on the agenda. The importance of proximity in Geneva to the World council of Churches and Lutheran World Federation had to be kept in mind.
The council returned to a recommendation deferred from section II, The Alliance beyond 1997 (subsection on staffing and solidarity): "The general council reminds member churches that their financial contributions are a fundamental condition and consequence of membership." A delegate suggested that the recommendation be withdrawn. Dr Ehnes said he would resist this, as financial contribution was an essential part of membership. The recommendation was moved, seconded and passed to become recommendation 45. The following amendment, by way of addition to recommendation 45, was proposed and seconded but referred to the executive committee: "The general council requires the written commitment before March 31 1998 from all non-paying members, indicating how much they pledge and how this commitment will be honoured. If not received by this date, the member will be suspended. The suspension will be lifted as soon as their commitment is made."
Business session XIII 20.00-21.30
The president called the meeting to order and asked for restraint in discussion so that the business of the council might be completed. The president outlined how she proposed to share the remaining time between the outstanding items.
Rev Christiane Nolting proposed that one speaker for and one against each recommendation be allowed henceforth. The resolution was seconded and passed.
Report of the policy committee (continued)
Recommendation 44 was proposed, seconded and passed.
Communications: Delegates were reminded of a recommendation deferred from section II, The Alliance beyond 1997 (subsection on youth): "That the workings of councils and committees abandon traditional oratory methods in favour of barrier-breaking methods of communication." An amendment proposing that "abandon" be replaced by "complement" was seconded and passed. The revised text (Recommendation 47) was then proposed, seconded and approved, to read: "That the workings of councils and committees complement traditional oratory methods with barrier-breaking methods of communication."
Delegates were also reminded of a recommendation deferred from section II, The Alliance beyond 1997 (subsection on staffing and solidarity): "The general council instructs the executive committee to explore new and creative ways of fund-raising, so that essential staff levels may be safeguarded and maintained." Because this recommendation was covered by recommendation 46, it was dropped. Recommendation 46 was agreed without further discussion.
Report of the message committee
The report of the message committee, together with the message and the declaration of Debrecen, was read by the convener, Rev José Manuel Leite (Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Portugal). A number of comments were made, especially that the text from Isaiah might be included so that the message would be more closely linked with the theme. Some initial reference to grace, worship, justification and celebration was felt desirable by a number of speakers. It was agreed that any further comments should be given to the convener without delay so that they might be considered for the final version.
Report of section II: Justice for all creation (Appendix 16)
Dr Yong-Bock Kim (Presbyterian Church of Korea), convener of section II, asked that the report be received by the council for discussion even though it exceeded the stipulated length of 3,000 words. This was agreed. Dr Kim thanked all who had participated in writing the report.
Dr Phyllis Airhart (United Church of Canada) presented the body of the report, reading selected portions. It was moved, seconded and agreed that the body of the report (Introduction, biblical perspectives and analysis of issues and Conclusion) be received. It was further moved, seconded and agreed that the section titled "Call for processus confessionis" be received.
A proposal to modify a reference to multiculturalism and justice was not accepted by the president as the motion was to receive, and not to adopt or edit the report.
Attorney Emilio Capulong (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) asked whether it would not be appropriate to include the report of the Forum on economic justice in the section II report. It was felt that it was not possible to alter the text of the report, but the findings of the forum stand as an integral whole.
A proposal to amend recommendation 1 substantially was put forward, but ruled out of order as the text was not available in writing. Recommendations 1 and 2 were moved, seconded and passed without further discussion.
An adjournment of the meeting was proposed, seconded and passed, the debate on section II being deferred to the following session.
The first meeting of the newly-elected executive committee was held after the business session.
Tuesday, August 19 1997
Morning worship was conducted by participants from Europe. Rev Elizabeth Kuyk (Reformed Churches in the Netherlands) and Ms Jana Buzková (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) shared the reflection. The leaders thanked all those who had helped in the worship sessions, including especially interpreters and members of the Hungarian churches.
Business session XIV 9.00-10.30
The president called the meeting to order at 9.05.
Report of section II: Justice for all creation (continued)
Discussion resumed with recommendations 3, 4 and 5. The Convener drew attention to the fact that the last paragraph of the affirmation proposed in recommendation 3 related to the discussion of gospel and cultures in the report of section I. Recommendations 3, 4 and 5 were moved, seconded and passed without further discussion.
Recommendations 6 and 7 were moved and seconded. An amendment to replace "conflict" with "identity" in the first line of recommendation 6 was moved and seconded but failed. Recommendations 6 and 7, in their original form, were moved, seconded and passed.
On the motion of Dr Yong-Bock Kim, duly seconded, the whole of the report was received.
Forum on economic justice (Appendix 22)
Appropriate action with regard to the report of the Forum on economic justice sponsored by delegates from the south was again raised. Some doubt was expressed as to whether it was wise to accept a processus confessionis without knowing precisely what its implications were. It was, however, stated that the forum's proposals were in line with the spirit of the recommendations made by section II. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the report of the forum should be received.
Report of section III: Partnership in God's mission (Appendix 17)
Co-convener, Dr Lucy Kao (Presbyterian Church of Taiwan), moved that the council receive the report and consider the recommendations of section III. This was duly seconded and the report received. Dr Kao then read the report, after which her co-convener, Dr Peter Bukowski (Reformed Alliance, Germany), introduced the recommendations, which covered three sections:
Recommendations concerning WARC structures
Recommendations 1 to 4 were moved and seconded. Discussion followed.
An amendment to add the following to recommendation 2 "...and directs the executive committee to make the necessary changes in the by-laws to ensure this balance" was moved, seconded and passed. The amended recommendation was then passed.
An amendment to recommendation 1, adding the words "...or if not enough funding is available, through the partnership fund" was proposed and seconded. In response to a query as to what this meant in view of the resolutions passed the previous day regarding a review of all positions, the general secretary stated that it had not so far been possible to secure funding past 1998. It was clearly the desire of the council to place PACT on the same footing as other departments, but currently the Alliance was short of CHF300,000 for its ordinary budget. The amendment failed.
As regards recommendation 4, the comment was made that inclusive language should be truly inclusive and care should be taken to avoid always setting women and youth apart.
Dr Bukowski stressed that the recommendation to make PACT a department rather than a programme was not to secure funding, but to make a statement of policy. Both the moderator of the department of finance and the Parliamentarian had stated that it was legally possible for the council to resolve that PACT become a Department. The implementation of this decision would be for the executive committee to deal with. Some concern was expressed at the consequences which would result from making PACT a department. The president was reminded of the decision taken the previous day to limit debate.
Recommendations 1, 3 and 4 were moved, seconded and passed.
Recommendations concerning WARC programmes and PACT work
Under recommendation 7, it was suggested that correspondence courses might be included to enable women at home with families to study as well.
Recommendations 5-8 were moved, seconded and passed without further debate. The council then recessed.
Business session XV 10.50-12.30
The president called the meeting to order at 10.50.
Message from young delegates and stewards (Appendix 24)
A message from young delegates and stewards was presented to the general council, expressing disappointment that not a single young person of under 30 years of age had been elected to the new executive committee. A petition urging that two youth consultants be added to the executive committee, one of whom should be appointed to work with the officers, was presented. It was further requested that any vacancies occurring during the period of the incoming executive committee should be filled by young people. The petition was placed at the entrances to the church so that members might sign it. A period of silent reflection followed the reading of this message.
A member felt that the council should express its regret to God in prayer for having failed to meet the hopes of the young people present. The general secretary regretted flaws in the method of nominating and electing the executive committee. What was being asked for was compatible with the rules, and the executive committee would do its best to comply.
Full communion
Rev Paul Sherry (United Church of Christ, USA), flanked by Rev Dr Clifton Kirkpatrick (Presbyterian Church USA) and Dr Wesley Granberg-Michaelson (Reformed Church in America), was happy to share with the general council the good news that, after negotiations spread over 32 years, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America had on the previous day affirmed full communion between the four churches. They gave thanks for God's graciousness and for the full communion now realized.
Report of section III: Partnership in God's mission (continued)
Recommendations concerning member churches and PACT work (contd.)
Recommendations 9a, 9b, and 10 were moved and seconded. A member expressed regret that in 10 "koinonia" had been translated as "partnership". "Koinonia" should cover not merely women and men but also youth and children. He therefore proposed to add the words "youth and children" to the existing text as an amendment. This was seconded. The co-convener regretted that the committee could not accept the amendment, as their intention had been to indicate a focus within which other partnerships could be looked at. The amendment failed.
Ms Joy Michael (Church of North India) moved that recommendation 9b be amended by replacing the words following "leadership" in line 3 by "...through training so that they may be equipped and empowered to be fit for places in leadership as appropriate". The amendment was seconded and passed. The committee stated that it had no objection to it. The revised text was moved, seconded and passed to read: "That all the WARC member churches ensure that women be afforded equal access to assignment or position and receive equal pay for equal work in all church positions, and we urge that PACT expand its network of women in leadership through training so that they may be equipped and empowered to be fit for places in leadership as appropriate.
Recommendations 9a and 10 were passed without further debate.
The co-convener thanked the council for taking a positive view of its proposals. He felt that WARC might take some pride in being the first major family of churches to affirm the equality of women and God's desire for their service.
Report of the public issues committee (Appendix 20)
Rev Joseph Pattiasina (Protestant Church in the Moluccas, Indonesia), convener of the public issues committee, came to the platform with other members of the committee. Dr Pattiasina moved that the report be received and the recommendations be considered.
An Indonesian delegate objected to a paragraph on East Timor and asked that an account be presented to the council regarding the situation there. It was moved that the debate be closed. This was seconded and passed.
It was agreed to receive the report so that it might be discussed, together with the recommendations.
The report was read by Dr Olivia White (United Church of Christ, USA), who summarized the seven headings into which the report was divided. It was proposed and seconded that recommendations 1 and 2a-f concerning "Human rights" be adopted.
East Timor: Further debate took place on how to deal with the following paragraph: "The people of East Timor whose land has been occupied by Indonesia seek recognition and international support for their right to independence." The question was raised whether an amendment to the text might be considered after an explanation of the position in East Timor, or whether the use of the word "such" in place of "these" in the first line of recommendation 1 might help. It was finally proposed and seconded that the matter be referred to the executive committee. Tellers were called and declared that 140 members were in favour of referral, 108 against. The matter was therefore referred to the executive committee.
Dr Pieter Holtrop (Reformed Churches in the Netherlands) moved that a note be included in the minutes to the effect that the Indonesian delegation objected to the above formulation regarding East Timor.
Attorney Emilio Capulong (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) expressed concern that remarks made in the course of the debate seemed to imply criticism of the conduct of the committee which had dealt with the matter. He firmly rejected any such implications.
A vote of closure was moved, seconded and passed. Dr Pieter Holtrop's motion was seconded, put to the meeting and passed.
Hungarian minorities: A representative from Romania spoke to this paragraph, deploring the fact that there was no mention in the recommendation of the restrictions placed upon Hungarians in minority situations, especially in Slovakia, as regards the use of their mother tongue. She asked the executive committee to address this situation. The president said that the way to handle this matter would be considered over lunch.
Various announcements were made regarding the return of headphones, arrangements for departure, etc. The general council then recessed at 12.00.
Business session XVI 14.15-15.45
The president called the meeting to order at 14.15.
Report of the public issues committee (continued)
Nuclear hazards: A delegate from Tahiti felt that certain points should be added to this paragraph. As it stood, it neglected the needs of the people of the Pacific. The president ruled that the text could not be altered, but that if it was felt to be offensive or inadequate, a note to that effect might be added.
Indian Dalits: Ms Joy Michael felt that the text of this paragraph needed clarification. The Dalits comprised 2.5% of the population of India. 10% of Dalits were Christian. The present president of India is a Dalit. The Indian Congress has ruled against unfair treatment of Dalits and, accordingly, she wished to protest the use of the word "prejudicial" in this context.
II. Ecological crisis and climate change - act now
Recommendations 3 and 4 were moved, seconded and passed without discussion.
III. The challenge of the HIV/Aids crisis
Recommendations 5, 6 and 7 were moved, seconded and passed without discussion.
IV. Peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula
Recommendations 8-15 were moved, seconded and passed without discussion.
V. Africa - The Great Lakes region
Recommendations 16, 17 and 18 (to the churches) were moved, seconded and passed without discussion.
Recommendations 19-24 (to WARC) were moved and seconded. A member felt that any suggestion that WARC should plan a visit (on the lines suggested in recommendation 26) to the churches and also to the local authorities in Rwanda, etc. to make clear the democratic process, especially with regard to human rights, had been overlooked.
An amendment to recommendation 19, inserting after "WARC" the words "working together with Christian communities and other organizations wherever possible" was welcomed by the presenter of the report, moved, seconded and passed. Recommendation 19 now reads: "WARC, working together with Christian communities and other organizations wherever possible, should arrange emergency assistance to displaced persons and refugees who are experiencing hunger and are exposed to disease and disasters which are destroying their lives in this situation of armed conflict."
Recommendations 19-24 were then passed without further discussion.
VI. Equatorial Guinea
Recommendations 25-30 were moved and seconded. Attorney Emilio Capulong (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) pointed out that WARC had no legal right to supervise elections in any country and therefore moved that the words "observe and monitor" replace the words "participate in" in recommendation 25. The presenter accepted this as a friendly amendment. It was seconded and passed to read: "That the general council welcome the new opening announced by the government of Equatorial Guinea to make possible fairer elections in the future, and that it initiate discussions with this government to allow members of WARC member churches, in addition to the UN, the EU, and the OAU, to observe and monitor the supervision of the legislative elections to be held at the end of 1998."
Recommendations 25-30 were then passed without further discussion.
VII. Emerging issues
Floods in central Europe: Recommendation 31 was moved, seconded and passed. It was noted that the collection at the evening communion service would go to flood victims in the areas affected.
War in Liberia: Recommendations 32, 33 and 34 were moved and seconded. An amendment to preface recommendation 32 with the words "Appreciating the fact that the war in Liberia has officially come to an end, and that elections have been held" was moved, seconded and passed. The recommendation now reads: "Appreciating the fact that the war in Liberia has officially come to an end, and that elections have been held, calls on its member churches to help with efforts to create programmes of rehabilitation for war victims, especially women and children; provide relief for refugees returning, especially women and children; renovate the churches destroyed by war."
A Liberian representative expressed appreciation for the helpful visit to Liberia which WARC had undertaken.
A Nigerian representative, noting that there was no specific heading in the budget for humanitarian help, asked where money for these purposes was found. The general secretary stated that the partnership fund was the source.
Recommendations 32, 33 and 34 were then passed.
Report of the message committee (Appendix 21)
The council turned to the revised text of the message, alterations or additions being in italics, sections to be removed in square brackets.
A number of suggestions were made and noted by the committee. It was agreed to add "young or old" after "male and female" in line 2 of the fourth paragraph of the declaration of Debrecen, and to reinstate the word "simple" before "lifestyle" in the sixth paragraph of the same. A proposal to close the debate was then moved, seconded and passed. The fourth paragraph now reads: "We are not our own. We know that in Jesus Christ we were bought with a price. We will not patronize, exclude, or ignore the gifts of any person, male or female, young or old." The sixth paragraph now reads: "We are not our own. We are called to be built into a new community in the Spirit of God. We pledge ourselves to a simple lifestyle which bears witness to God's ordering of the household of life."
The adoption of the message was moved and seconded.
One participant noted that the first version equated justice with having faith, and that the second tended to say that uniting in faith is equivalent to finding common moral tasks. He was uneasy at the direction being taken, and moved that the last sentence of paragraph 8 of the message should be amended to read: "If plans go forward for marking the turn of the millennium by committing ourselves to a future universal council, the question of the relations between our understandings of faith, God's grace in Jesus Christ and obedient life in God's household should be high on the agenda." This was moved, seconded, accepted by the Presenters and approved.
Another participant felt that an expression of our belief in the power of God's word rather than our own belief was missing. The presenters agreed to amend the sentence referred to (page 1, paragraph 2, line 6) by inserting "to the word of God" after "We respond", so that the sentence would read: "We respond to the word of God, bearing witness to God's covenant grace, which frees us joyfully to play our parts in God's household of life."
It was moved, seconded and agreed that the debate be closed. The message was approved and the message committee thanked for its work.
Recommendation from Australian group
Australian delegates recommended a review of the procedure for nominations to the executive committee, as set out in the rules of procedure for the conduct of business, number 20, and in By-Law III.1.d. This recommendation was supported and referred to the executive committee for consideration.
Recommendation from the president-elect regarding youth participation
The president-Elect, Dr CS Song, moved "that the participation of youth in the decision-making process and the moderatorship of PACT be referred to the executive committee for positive action in the very near future". This resolution was seconded and passed.
Next general council: Invitation from Indonesian delegation
On behalf of the 28 Indonesian member churches, an invitation was extended to hold the 24th general council at a conference centre in North Sumatra, 40 km from Medan International Airport, one hour from Singapore, and capable of receiving one thousand people. The president warmly welcomed this generous invitation. In response to a query from a delegate regarding the suggestion of joint WCC/LWF/WARC councils, the president stated that this was a factor which would need to be explored. The president expressed the council's grateful appreciation for the invitation from the Indonesian churches. The president and general secretary received gifts offered by the Indonesian delegation.
Resolution of thanks (Appendix 25)
Rev Hugh Davidson (Church of Scotland) moved the vote of thanks to all who had a share in the arrangements for and the success of the general council. He singled out the president, who had presided with authority, patience, grace and constant good humour after taking office in difficult circumstances. A gift on behalf of the Alliance in appreciation was offered to her and received.
The general secretary invited the vice-presidents, HE Benjamin Masilo and Rev Dr Abival Pires da Silveira, to come forward. He paid tribute to their distinguished service in public and church affairs and presented each with a gift. Responding on behalf of Dr Pires da Silveira and himself, vice-president Masilo voiced their joy at having been privileged to serve on the executive committee, and their regret at now leaving. Their memories of the love and friendship of the president and members of the executive committee were precious to them. They would continue to be at the service of WARC when needed. Vice-president Masilo paid tribute to the work carried out by WARC in connection with African affairs, and urged the churches of Africa themselves to offer greater support.
The president said that she had been asked to say that the members of the outgoing executive committee were at the Alliance's disposal for future needs.
The resolution of thanks was moved, seconded and passed.
Report of the public issues committee (continued):
In view of the shortage of time, it was moved and seconded that unfinished business be referred to the executive committee for action. The Kenyan delegates requested that the section addressing Kenya be removed from the motion to refer. A request was made that the figures given in the report concerning Indian Dalits be clarified. A further request was made that the question of the Hungarian language in minority areas be taken up by the executive committee. The closure of debate was moved, seconded and passed. It was moved, seconded and agreed that all remaining items except for those relating to Kenya be referred to the executive committee.
Kenya: Mr Joseph Kigen (Reformed Church of East Africa), representing the delegates from Kenya, stated that all were in agreement that the matter should be suspended until the Kenyans themselves expressed a wish that it be discussed. It was accordingly moved, seconded and agreed that the following text and recommendations be postponed indefinitely:
The Presbyterian Church of East Africa has recently called the attention of WARC to the situation in Kenya where, in spite of a multiparty system, autocratic rule by the president and repressive laws such as detention without trial, the banning of rallies and a state of emergency continue. The National council of Churches in Kenya along with Moslem communities and various secular and religious groups have joined to put pressure on the government to reopen negotiations toward a process of political reformation and affirmation of human rights. Nevertheless, there has been a recent upsurge of violence including a general strike, the death of two policemen and the near-fatal beating of a pastor of the Presbyterian Church in East Africa.
Recommendations
- Write a letter to president Moi, expressing concern over the recent uprising in Kenya and urging him to engage in dialogue with the relevant parties that would lead to constitutional reform.
- Write a letter of support to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, encouraging them in their struggle for a just society.
- Seek ways to support and encourage education in civil rights and civil responsibilities among the members of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, working in collaboration with other ecumenical agencies.
Presentation from the Indian delegation
The president, president-elect and general secretary each received a present from the Indian delegation, and expressed their appreciation. The council then recessed.
Ceremony of covenanting and installation
At 16.15 members of the general council met again in the Great Church for the act of covenanting and the installation of the officers and the executive committee, led by the president.
The message and declaration were read, then signed by the members of the old and new executive committees. The president invited all members of the general council to sign the copies available at the doors of the church. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the hymn, "Send me Lord".
Closing worship with communion
The council meeting concluded with a communion service at 19.30 in the Great Church. Sermons were preached by the newly elected president, Dr CS Song, and Bishop Dr Gusztáv Bölcskei of the Reformed Church in Hungary (see Appendices 26 & 27).
Following the service, members of the council and of local congregations took part in a torchlight procession from the Great Church to the Square of the Reformers outside Kossuth University, which had been floodlit for the occasion of the Hungarian National Day. There the declaration of Debrecen was read publicly in Hungarian and the four official languages of the general council to an estimated crowd of over two thousand. Participants then dispersed and the council meeting came to an end.
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but
to your name give glory" (Psalm 115.1)
Recording secretaries
John Gilbey and Judy Guder
Notes
1. Debrecen 1997: Proceedings of the 23rd general council, ed. Milan Opocensky (Geneva: WARC, 1997), appendix 8, pp.117ff.
2. Debrecen 1997, appendix 11, pp.161ff.
3. Debrecen 1997, appendix 18, pp.210ff.
4. The elections spanned business sessions XI-XII. Discussion on the report of the policy committee continued while ballots were counted. For the sake of clarity, the elections are presented consecutively in the proceedings.
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