The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) took a “momentous” step on Friday as it agreed to begin a new process that could deepen its relationship with the Reformed Ecumenical Church (REC). The two bodies have been in mutual talks since 1998.

|TOP|To 40-member executive committee of the Alliance met in Evian, France, and agreed to begin a new set of talks with REC to bring greater cooperation and collaboration. Sharing of projects and personnel were also discussed in the chat.

Early next year, talks including four members of each body will begin.

The move by the Alliance to accept the invitation from REC to a new set of talks would be “an expression of the Alliance’s belief in the reconfiguration of the ecumenical architecture,” stated a report placed before the executive committee.

WARC generally secretary Setri Nyomi had welcomed the invitation originally made by REC in July. “When the two organisations dare to journey together in God’s mission, our member churches will be served better and, in fact, our witness as Reformed churches will be stronger.”

“This is a very exciting proposal, one that will be of tremendous benefit to WARC and I hope, REC,” said Alexander Horsburgh of Scotland.

|QUOTE|“We have just done something momentous,” said Susan Davies of the United States.

WARC also agreed to a two-year process for the South African church, Nederduitsche Hervormde Kerk (NHK), to reveal that it fully rejects apartheid as a sin and heresy, so the church can be readmitted to the Alliance after it was expelled from WARC in 1982.

“This will include a full public recognition of the sinfulness of apartheid and its biblical and theological justification that were used to support it as heretical,” the executive said.

The WARC executive committee also agreed to working with other ecumenical organisations on a common policy on holding meetings in countries where all delegates can join.

In addition, a new mission project looking into international mission relations, new expressions of Reformed unity and mission study, was launched during the meeting, which will be fully effective in the beginning of 2006. It also agreed to sponsor many of the celebrations beginning in 2009, marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.