World Communion of Reformed Churches

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The World Communion of Reformed Churches is an ecumenical Christian body formed in June 2010 by the union of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council. With more than 80 million members,[1]

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC) have merged to form a new body representing more than 80 million Reformed Christians worldwide, among the biggest denominations are the Presbyterian Church of Africa, Presbyterian church in Nigeria, Presbyterian Church in East Africa, United Church in canada, Reformed Church in Hungary, Reformed Church in Romania, Protestant Church in Indonesia, Church of Scotland. the WCRC is the third largest Christian communion in the world, after the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches.[2][3]

After a two-day meeting ending on 1 February 2006, Douwe Visser, president of the Reformed Ecumenical Council and Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, said in a joint letter to their constituencies, "We rejoice in the work of the Holy Spirit which we believe has led us to recommend that the time has come to bring together the work of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Reformed Ecumenical Council into one body that will strengthen the unity and witness of Reformed Christians."

After first calling the potential body "World Reformed Communion", this was modified into "World Communion of Reformed Churches".

A Uniting General Council of the WCRC, bringing the organization into existence, took place from June 18–26, 2010 at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. The council focused on the "Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace" mentioned in Ephesians as its main theme, setting a tone of true mutual understanding and acceptance amongst member churches and associates, laying aside differences and other issues as they embark on this shared journey with one another as each seeks to discern the will of God and continue their struggle for justice and peace in the world.

The World Communion of Reformed Churches is the largest association of Reformed churches in the world. Its member denominations on the whole could be considered more liberal than the member denominations of the International Conference of Reformed Churches or the World Reformed Fellowship, which are also large ecumenical Reformed organizations.

Members of the Communion [edit]

This is a list of potential members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches based upon the membership of the parent organizations as listed on their official websites as of 28 April 2007. This list may be out of date following the Uniting General Council Meeting of June 2010.

References [edit]

  1. ^ {{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110707005807/http://www.wcrc.ch/node/260%7Ctitle=WCRC History|accessdate=7 July 2011|work=World Communion of Reformed Churches|quote=
  2. ^ "Analysis: Damage done to Episcopal church". USA Today. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2010. 
  3. ^ Major Branches of Religions

External links [edit]

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