Verslag - NG Kerk in Oos-Kaapland

3.2.2.2 Die NG Kerk het haarself in 2002 baie duidelik tot Afrika verbind, en dit kan dan ook nie anders as
dat ons saam met die ander kerke in hierdie kontinent hande vat nie: die AACC is n wonderlike voertuig
daartoe.
3.2.2.3 Van die NG Kerk se naaste familie (die VGKSA) asook naaste reformatoriese vennote (die Uniting
Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa en die United Cogregational Church of Southern Africa) is reeds
lede van AACC.
3.2.2.4 Die basiese inligting oor die AACC is aangeheg as Bylaag 1.
3.2.2.5 AANBEVELING: ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES
Die Algemene Sinode besluit om aansoek te doen vir lidmaatskap van die AACC en dra dit aan die
Moderamen op om die proses af te handel.
3.2.3 Inter-faith Action for Peace in Africa
3.2.3.1 Die Lutherse Wêreldfederasie het leiding geneem (en befonds) met die stig van n beweging wat ten
doel het om alle godsdienstige oortuigings te betrek in prosesse om van die krisisse in Afrika op te los. n
Uiters geslaagde beraad in die verband het in April 2005 in Suid-Afrika plaasgevind.
3.2.3.2 Die Interimkomitee wat die werk intussen doen saam met plaaslike aksies bereik sukses: prosesse
in onder andere die DRK en Sudan kan daarvan getuig.
3.2.3.4 Dr Kobus Gerber is die NG Kerk se skakel met IFAPA.
3.2.4 Federale Raad van Kerke
3.2.4.1 Die Algemene Sinode 2004 het besluit om by die ander lede van die Federale Raad aan te beveel
dat die Federale Raad volgens die voorgeskrewe prosedure ontbind (Besluiteregister 2004 F.2.1/3).
3.2.4.2 Hierdie besluit is ook in n bilaterale gesprek aan die VGKSA deurgegee.
3.2.4.3 Kennis is aan die lede van die Federale Raad gegee van n vergadering in Utrecht tydens die
byeenkoms van die GER waar die NG Kerk se besluit/ voorstel hanteer sal word. Na twee byeenkomste in
Utrecht is die volgende besluit deur die lidkerke van die Federale Raad geneem:
REPORT ON DISCUSSIONS WITH REGARD TO A POSSIBLE BODY FOR THE FAMILY OF
CHURCHES THAT CAME FROM THE WORK OF THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH
1. The members of the Federal Council of Dutch Reformed Churches and other members of the family
present at the Reformed Ecumenical Council from 12-26 July, 2005 in Utrecht, Netherlands, met twice
during the assembly of the REC. They discussed the future of the Federal Council and other possibilities /
options for the unity of the family.
2. The members are convinced that they need a separate body for the family of Dutch Reformed Churches.
They identified the following advantages:
2.1 We are a family: we need to get together.
2.2 We are one: we have to tie the family together.
2.3 We as family have a unique identity.
2.4 We share common roots in confession, creeds, liturgy.
2.5 We have common resources we can share: theological training, literature, human resources.
2.6 We are in Africa and God wants us to make a difference together with one another.
2.7 We have a specific and unique prophetic voice in all spheres of society and contexts.
2.8 Our contact can be more focussed.
2.9 We have the opportunity to co-operate for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
2.10 We will start a new history together.
2.11 We will learn from one another and enrich one another with our diversity.
2.12 We will have an united front in our witness.
3. We are aware of disadvantages when the family of Dutch Reformed Churches have a separate body:
3.1 Churches may become suspicious of another body.
3.2 ARCA and SAARC are there for the reformed churches: why something extra?
3.3 There may be probable alienation from other bodies.
3.4 There are churches that want the Federal Council to continue and are convinced that a new body is not
necessary.
3.5 The functioning and membership of bodies for churches cost a lot of money: will we be able to afford it?
3.6 There may be some confessional or doctrinal issues that may capture a lot of our time.
4. We are convinced that the time is ripe for a new dispensation:
4.1 We recognise the positive intentions of the Federal Council but also the fact that for a lot of historical
and other reasons it is not possible to go on.
4.2 We see the way forward as follows:
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