Report of the women's preconference

August 6-7 1997, Debrecen, Hungary

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
(Is 58.6)

Introductory Statement

Embedded in the journey of Reformed women from Seoul to Debrecen was the strong desire to hold another women's preconference at the 23rd general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Over 150 women from around the world therefore met for the two-day conference at the Teachers' Training College in Debrecen, Hungary, August 6-7 1997. The first of its kind was a one-day meeting at the 22nd general council in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Business

Worship was central to all we did. A solemn opening service was conducted by representatives of the 50 Hungarian women participants. The closing communion service was co-celebrated by six women pastors from six different regions and was attended by both women and men.

At this conference there were presentations on Reformed Faith and the Search for Unity, Justice for all Creation, and Partnership in God's Mission, after which participants broke up into various work groups to share their own life experiences and the daily realities within their own contexts vis-à-vis the study materials.

They shared stories of genocide terror, isolation, marginalization, vulnerability as well as those of partnership and hope. This process of sharing greatly enriched the group dynamics and contributed significantly to the work of the conference.

Moreover, the togetherness gave us the opportunity to reflect upon the situation in our churches the world over. Having had such in-depth and prayerful reflections we came to a consensus to present a report under the following subheadings to the general council for reflection:

• Some broken chains
• Unbroken chains
• Plan of action/suggestions

Some Broken Chains

We hereby take note with dignity of some major chains broken in some churches:

1. Ordination and access to theological education.
2. Inclusion of women in church structures.
3. Improved partnership in mission.
4. Diversity in scriptural interpretation.
5. Some churches are opening to inclusive language.
6. Some churches have women's desks or boards.

Broken chains in society include:

1. Some breakthroughs and acceptance in male dominated jobs.
2. Women's increasing awareness and use of their own gifts, capabilities and potentialities.
3. Women's associations which fight and support a just society. In Ghana, for example, the Women Lawyers' Association (FIDA) provides free legal aid for poor women; Hungarian women's associations provide child care to young mothers.
4. Some improved working conditions, eg, extended maternity leave for mothers without losing jobs; in Lesotho, since 1993, married women can receive pensions upon retirement.
5. Some improvement in health policies, eg, in Ghana free medical care for pregnant women.
6. Some cultural norms have been broken, eg, female genital mutilation banned in some countries.

Unbroken Chains

We notice painfully the numerous and dehumanizing unbroken chains in many churches:

1. Refusal of some churches to ordain women, though some are theologically trained.
2. Unequal opportunities for women pastors.
3. Violence against women and sexual harassment even in churches.
4. Exclusion from some important decision-making bodies.
5. Literalist interpretation of the Scriptures, eg, I Cor 14.34.
6. Church structures and policies are not appropriate for women's advancement and participation.
7. Creation and spirituality, eg, in some churches women in their menses are denied holy communion.
8. Lack of gospel education, therefore little understanding of the Christian values which result in the church's commitment to political, economic and social change.

Unbroken Chains in Society:

1. Violence and sexual harassment.
2. Inhibitive or intimidatory cultural practices - wife inheritance, polygamy leading to rapid spread of HIV/Aids in some African countries.
3. Racism.
4. Inferiority complex - low image and lack of confidence to face realities.
5. Poor market economy.
6. Pollution, cloning, nuclear waste.
7. Bride burning, female infanticide, child prostitution etc., for example in Asia.
8. Lack of solidarity among women and even less solidarity between women and men.
9. Non-sustainability of growth.
10. Negative effects of globalization.
11. Insensitivity to one another's stories.

Plan of Action/Suggestions

In view of the above, we urge the World Alliance of Reformed Churches to seriously consider the following and to take action:

1. to encourage all member churches to establish women's desks to facilitate the partnership of women and men;
2. to facilitate seminars and consultations within the churches to provide gender leadership training programmes, to conscientize women, to remove apathy, low image and fear of success.
3. to carry out an in-depth cultural analysis to unearth the realities of pain and suffering at the grassroots;
4. to encourage more gospel and theological education for women in the Reformed tradition;
5. to review its business procedures to enhance greater partnership between men and women, eg more women in the executive committee and as executive staff;
6. to ask member churches who do not ordain women to reconsider their position;
7. to continue to support the request of women to meet together to give voice to their particular issues within the Reformed family.

Finally and above all else, if the stated points should become realities, WARC must affirm the critical importance of PACT not only continuing to exist but being fully supported and reinforced physically and financially into a department for the realization of the true partnership of women and men, and for the total utilization of the human resources within WARC and the world at large.

Lydia Aku Eleblu
Chair of the women's preconference