Verslag - NG Kerk in Oos-Kaapland

5.1.8 Die kontrakterende party val steeds onder die regering, opsig en tug van sy/haar verantwoordelike
kerkvergadering.
5.2 Werkswyse
5.2.1 Die betrokke kerkvergaderinge/kommissies moet die skriftelike ooreenkoms afsonderlik in hulle
onderskeie vergaderinge goedkeur.
5.2.2 Nadat die instansies onderling tot n ooreenkoms gekom het, moet die liggaam wat vir die
opsig/toesig verantwoordelik is die ooreenkoms finaal bekragtig. In die geval van n kerkraad is dit die ring.
By n ring of by n kommissie van n sinode, is dit die sinode/sinodale kommissie, en by n sinode is dit die
Algemene Sinode/Moderamen.
BYLAAG C
URCSA INTERPRETATION OF GENERAL SYNOD DECISIONS REGARDING CHURCH UNITY
Die volgende skrywe is ontvang as interpretasie van die VGKSA oor die bewoording "full acceptance of the
Belhar Confession" mbt strukturele eenheid op grondvlak:
13 February 2006
To all Scribes and Moderamens of Regional Synods
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Interpretation of General Synod decisions regarding Church Unity
.
The moderamen of the General Synod discussed the implications and interpretation of the recent decisions
of General Synod regarding Church unity during a Planning Consultation which was held on 7-8 February in
Cape Town. After being requested by the Cape Regional moderamen to interpret the meaning of the words
"full acceptance of the Belhar Confession" in the decision that Synod took, the Moderamen of the General
Synod decided to clarify the decision as follows:
That the expression "full acceptance of Belhar Confession" does not mean that a DRC congregation is
required to adopt Belhar as a formal fourth confession, which can only be done by the General Synod of the
DRC after a prescribed legal procedure.
What is meant here is that the Belhar Confession is an urgent and compelling message on unity,
reconciliation and justice which formulates not only what God gives us but also what God demands of us in
serving the coming of God's reign in Southern Africa.
The resolution of GS 2005 is interpreted to require that a joint ministry between DRC and URCSA bodies:
a) should draw up a written agreement containing the terms of the collaboration (see Agenda, pp. 531-533),
in which the Belhar Confession is mentioned by name as supplying the guiding principles and ethos for the
joint ministry.
b) should require the participating body (church council, presbytery, regional synod) from the side of the
DRC, to take one of the following steps
the DRC church council relevant church body officially adopts the message of Belhar Confession
the DRC members or commission taking part in the joint committees or activities sign a document that they
endorse the message of Belhar Confession
The full decision of the synod regarding church unity is attached with this letter. I hope this will clarify any
misunderstanding regarding this matter and will assist in the process of church unity.
Yours in Christ
Collin Goeiman (Scribe General Synod)
2.2.6 In die kontinue onderhandelinge met die VGKSA het die gedagte van n gesamentlike vergadering
van die Moderamen van die NG Kerk en die ASK van die VGKSA gegroei. Die geleentheid kon uiteindelik
vanaf 20-22 Junie 2006 te Esselenpark Konferensiesentrum naby Kemptonpark plaasvind. Die onderskeie
kerke se formele kommissies asook bykomende lede soos deur hulle uitgenooi, was teenwoordig. Die
ervaring was oorweldigend: almal daar teenwoordig het aan die einde van die drie dae geweet dat God in
en deur mense gewerk het - iets wat moeilik was om oor te dra aan persone wat nie fisies die geleentheid
kon meemaak nie. Aan die einde van die geleentheid is die volgende verklaring vrygestel:
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