Additional Perspectives on the Belhar Confession

I found the essays appended to the “Report of the Commission on Christian Unity” (pages 198a-l of the Synod Workbook) to be helpful. In addition, I recommend Cynthia Holder Rich’s "Seeking a Contextual 'Cry from the Heart of Faith:' The Belhar Confession and Race in the U.S." Cynthia Holder Rich is Associate Professor of Continuing Theological Education at Western Theological Seminary.

From our sister denomination, the Christian Reformed Church, I also recommend the "Belhar Report from the Black and Reformed Conference." This report comes from the Tenth Annual Black and Reformed Conference, supported by Christian Reformed Home Missions, which was held at Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI, in April 2009.

Highlights from the “Belhar Report from the Black and Reformed Conference” that I find particularly compelling are these:

• “This open letter is written to announce publicly our zealous support of the Belhar as a fourth confession, and to urge word and deed praxis of Belhar principles in the CRCNA. We don’t want the Belhar to stagnate as mere reflection upon reflection. We call for praxis: reciprocating reflection and action that applies Belhar principles in the CRCNA.”

• “The Reformed world-and–life-view affirms that every square inch belongs to God, yet there is a tendency to withdraw in social and cultural isolation; ‘in isolation is our strength’ may still be the slogan for some in the CRC. Isolation can function as ‘apartheid’, especially in the context of defacto segregation.”

• “We want to see the race discussion include race and class so that a critique of Reformed theology can bring to the surface tacit assumptions about wealth and poverty.”

• “Apartheid and segregation is collective sin that estranges races and classes of people for whom Christ died, and wants to include in the covenant community.”

• “We believe that the Belhar is a ‘kairos’ moment for the CRC and RCA denominations. God hears the cries for help and decides to come down. He sends His Spirit across racial and cultural barriers to Advocate for the poor and oppressed. God hears the cries of the unloved and unwanted and comes down just at the right time breaking into time and space to redeem us.”

Judy Parr

Introduction from a first-time delegate to Synod

Having grown up in an RCA congregation that still does not fully recognize women’s gifts as deacons, elders, and ministers of Word and sacrament, I left the RCA in the 1970s. My husband and I became Southern Presbyterians when he was stationed at Ft. Bragg. When we moved to Ohio, we became United Methodists, in part because that denomination affirmed women’s gifts and balanced heart and mind. In the early 1990s we became members of a PCUSA church.

When we came to Holland, MI, to retire, I came back full-circle to my RCA roots, but not to the congregation of my childhood. We sought a congregation that affirmed women’s gifts and was not afraid to express its Christian faith in actions of social justice. At Hope Church I am pursuing my passion for adult education. Deeply honored to have been ordained as elder, I volunteered to become a member of Holland Classis and now to serve as delegate to Synod. I attended an evening session of Synod last year, but this is my first time as a delegate.

I’ve attended two helpful meetings that Holland Classis organized for delegates. I’ve read the Synod Workbook and am becoming reacquainted with the Book of Church Order. In addition to praying, maintaining my health, and discussing Synod agenda items with church members and friends, are there other ways I can prepare for Synod 2009?

Judy Parr