News
The Dutch Reformed Church held its general assembly from 6-11 October in Benoni, South Africa.
The church adopted a new policy on sexual abuse and misconduct, and also publicly strengthened its commitment to gender justice. The new policy, the result of conversations over many years about the way in which women are sometimes treated in the church, describes in detail which acts could be seen as sexual abuse or misconduct.
The church also called for the licensing of theological students without regard to their “race, gender, class or sexual orientation and identity.”
Discussions also centered around the proposed South African land reform bill, diakonia work and racism.
The church has issued a statement condemning xenophobic violence. “South Africa itself is experiencing a time of social and economic tension,” reads the statement. “However, no circumstances can justify the prosecution and mistreatment of vulnerable people who have been displaced from their own countries for various reasons.”
The statement also points out that the Bible contains many stories of people moving, strangers, immigrants or refugees. “Jesus was also a stranger, without a home, with nowhere to lay his head,” reads the statement. “He asks that his disciples take care of strangers.”
Violent outbursts of xenophobia threaten the social fabric of the South African society, the statement continues. “Xenophobia also undermines the political and economic status of our country, and the relevance and influence of South Africa in the region and the world,” the text reads.
The church noted with concern the continued and violent occurrence of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
World Council of Churches (WCC) deputy general secretary Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri offered a greeting on behalf of the global fellowship. The WCC was among several ecumenical partners that offered greetings at the assembly. “It is important that we carefully listen to each other with the aim to discern God’s will in our times,” Phiri read. “Let me include assuring you of our prayers not only for your general synod, but for the life and mission of your church.”
The Dutch Reformed Church was welcomed back into the WCC fellowship in 2016.
