How far will unity, justice, & reconciliation invade?

I like many delegates came to synod not yet having made my decision about the Belhar. And through a great process of conversation, explanation, deliberation and prayer, synod approved it. Yet the spirit of our desire for the themes of Belhar have not been limited. Rather they have been broad.

We celebrated 30 years of wome's ministry, only to morn the loss of the position that supports women's ministry. So, we committed to rectifying and correcting it.

We embraced the sixth dimension of our call, a multiracial future freed from racism, and voted to declare racism a sin!

We debated whether or not the mandatory retirement age of 70 was age discrimination.  While we did not choose to act on it, the vote was close, and those that did not support it, did so out of a love to have a respectful way in which to be able to end a relationship between a church and pastor.  I don't think that we are done with it yet.

But how far will we really go?  Will we perhaps let the Belhar allow us to reconcile with the CRC?  After all isn't the division of the SA churches, the soil from which the Belhar comes, a similar soil to that which divided us?

But most of all, what will we do in our communities? Will we engage in the lives of those different than ourselves? Will we, seek to bring healing and the good news to the outcasts in our city? I could go on.... but let me ask just one more question.

Are you going to pat yourselves on the back for what we have done, or are you going to let the Belhar spur you to unity, justice, and reconciliation? 

You will have to decide for yourself.