CWM, WCRC strengthen collaboration, deepen partnership

The Council for World Mission (CWM) hosted a delegation from the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in Singapore on 2 February to discuss common strategic visions and a deeper partnership.

The WCRC delegation—led by its Interim General Secretary, Setri Nyomi, and Philip Vinod Peacock, WCRC Executive Secretary for Justice and Witness—was received warmly by Jooseop Keum, CWM General Secretary, and Sudipta Singh, CWM Deputy Secretary-Programmes.

In his introductory address, Nyomi touched on WCRC’s vision, strategic, and programmatic objectives as well as plans surrounding the upcoming General Council in 2025. He spoke warmly of the shared history and the complementary relationship between the CWM and WCRC where CWM’s depth in missiological insights dovetails with WCRC’s global influence.

Reciprocating the warmth of WCRC, Keum echoed that even as WCRC has been a trailblazer in its radical theological vision, it is equally vital that its legacy be preserved.

“WCRC’s commitment to discerning, confessing, witnessing, and being Reformed has always been exemplary. The next step forward for us will be the finding of the right tools to elevate from discerning to confessing our desire to live out God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth. To achieve this, a broader ecumenical movement that predicates itself on the meaningful engagement of relevant governance structures must be found,” said Keum.

Singh said that the organizations could work together in the areas of gender justice, peace and development, ecology and economic justice—including revitalizing the New International and Financial and Economic Architecture—and interfaith cooperation.

Singh also spoke of the need to work on the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed and to reflect on this particularly from a reformed theological perspective.

CWM and WCRC also agreed to collaborate on The Onesimus Project, transformative ecumenism, and Kairos Palestine.

The visit paved the way for both organizations to explore the possibility of a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that will establish further avenues and opportunities for partnership and cooperation.

CWM and WCRC decided to hold regular online meetings as well as plan a future in-person meeting in London.

_{(Article and images courtesy of CWM.)}