Representatives at the annual General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) Europe, meeting in Transylvania, were told that 鈥減olitical buzzwords鈥� are no substitute for the biblical language of forgiveness and salvation.
The Revd Dr Kevin Snyman, Head of World Justice and聽Inter Faith Relations聽for the聽United聽Reformed聽Church, was one of 25 representatives from 两性色午夜 Europe who travelled to the city of Nagyv谩rad (Oradea), where they were hosted by the western district of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Transylvania. Together, they considered a question inspired by St Paul鈥檚 letter to the Hebrews: 鈥淲hat does it mean for European Christians to persevere in their witness?鈥�
Bishop Szabolcs J谩nos Bogd谩n (pictured below), from the Reformed Church in Hungary, argued that steadfastness is not about institutional self-preservation or digging in for a culture war. Rather, it is the freedom of faith in Christ. He sounded 鈥渁 gentle but urgent note of caution鈥�, saying that churches can be tempted to swap biblical language of forgiveness and salvation for the latest secular or political buzzwords. It is a temptation to be resisted with good humour and theological clarity, he said.
Kevin noted that 鈥渢he Reformed family comprises churches forged in very different contexts鈥�, and as a result there was 鈥渞eal sparkle鈥� in the small group discussions. 鈥淚t became abundantly clear just how much historical and political context shapes our theological accents. Differences emerged not only between east and west, but also north and south.鈥� He said that the question on everyone鈥檚 lips was: 鈥淲hose voices do we actually hear when we open the Bible and attempt to read the signs of the times? And how do voices from the global South participate in a distinctly European gathering?鈥�
No-one pretended there were any quick fixes. 鈥淏ut participants managed to listen, acknowledge and appreciate one another鈥檚 perspectives without papering over genuine differences. That, all agreed, is the work of the Spirit as much as the agenda.鈥�
The World Communion of Reformed Churches聽is a network of Protestant churches in 108 countries, with an estimated combined membership of 80 million people. Forty Churches from 29 countries are represented in the European Area.
Kevin Snyman is Vice-President of WCRC Europe.
Images by Kevin Snyman: Bishop Szabolcs J谩nos Bogd谩n; (montage) Kevin with Ulrich Weinhold and Kerstin Kich, Jenny Dobers, Oradea, small groups