GS 2025 Article 152 – GGRI-T (Reformed Churches in Indonesia – Timor)
1. Material
- 1.1 Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 17: Reformed Churches in Indonesia – Timor (GGRI-T) (8.2.10.17).
- 1.2 Letter from Smithville (8.3.10.25).
- 1.3 Confidential letter from CER re 8.3.10.25 (8.2.10.28).
2. Admissibility
- 2.1 The report was declared admissible.
- Grounds: The report was requested by the previous synod and arrived on time.
- 2.2 The letter from Smithville was declared admissible.
- Grounds: The letter interacts with a report to GS 2025 and was received on time.
- 2.3 The letter from the CER was declared admissible.
- Grounds: The letter was received on time, and pertains to matters raised by Smithville.
3. Observations
- 3.1 GS 2022 (art. 127) decided:
- [3.1] To instruct the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
- [3.1.1] In conjunction with the Smithville Canadian Reformed Church to provide assistance within the normal ambit of CER work that would be of benefit to the Reformed Churches in Indonesia Timor (GGRI-Timor);
- [3.1.2] As opportunity arises, to be available for discussions with a view to promoting ecclesiastical harmony and unity between faithful Reformed churches in Indonesia;
- [3.1.3] To submit its report to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
- [3.1] To instruct the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
- 3.2 From the CER report, the following:
- 3.2.1 The CER “were thankful for a face-to-face meeting in September, 2022. Additional effort via email has been made to engage, but we have not heard back.”
- 3.2.2 Since 2019, CRCA and then CER have been available to help resolve the differences between the GGRI-T and GGRCI.
- 3.2.2.1 “So far there has been no positive response in regard to this from the GGRI‑T.”
- 3.2.2.2 “Until all parties are willing to engage in peaceful, open communication with the goal of brotherly unity and cooperation according to the Word of God, no positive progress can be expected.”
- 3.2.3 “. . . the mandate with respect to the GGRI-Timor can be continued with some modification. It is important to continue to show willingness to interact with deputies of the GGRI-T.”
- 3.2.4 “As the GGRI-T have arisen as a result of mission work undertaken by the Smithville CanRC and [since they] still maintain contact with this church, it makes sense for the CER to keep lines of communication with the Mission Board of the Smithville church open concerning the GGRI-T.”
- 3.2.5 “The CER also is grateful for having been able to periodically connect with Smithville Mission Board during the past few years.”
- 3.3 The CER recommends that Synod decide:
- 3.3.1 To continue Ecclesiastical Contact with the Reformed Churches in Timor, Indonesia (GGRI-T) according to the adopted rules;
- 3.3.2 To instruct the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
- 3.3.2.1 To maintain open lines of communication with the Smithville CanRC to be aware of opportunities within the normal ambit of CER work to benefit the GGRI-T;
- 3.3.2.2 To work in consultation and cooperation with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) and the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) as we interact with the GGRI-T;
- 3.3.2.3 To continue to communicate to the GGRI-T a willingness to be available for discussions with a view to promoting ecclesiastical harmony and unity between faithful Reformed churches in Indonesia;
- 3.3.2.4 To submit its report on its activities with respect to the GGRI-T to the churches 6 months prior the convening of the next general synod.
- 3.4 Smithville expresses concern with a statement made in the CER GGRCI report regarding STAKRI. They would have appreciated being consulted prior to this being published in the report.
- 3.4.1 The CER provided background material in a letter.
- 3.5 Smithville feels that the CER has not interacted with them enough and feel that “it would be helpful for us to be included in dialogue with the committee.”
- 3.6 Smithville has “witnessed the faithfulness, dedication, and growth of the GGRI-T over the past 20 years,” and questions whether it is “wise for us to withhold the right hand of fellowship from this federation and judge them at arm’s length when they are striving to be faithful to God’s Word within their immediate cultural and ecclesiastical context.”
4. Considerations
- 4.1 The Reformed Churches in Indonesia – Timor (GGRI-T) have arisen as a result of mission work undertaken by the Smithville CanRC and they still maintain contact with this church .
- 4.2 It is important to continue to show willingness to assist the GGRI-T in promoting ecclesiastical harmony and unity between faithful Reformed churches in Indonesia according to the Word of God.
- 4.3 Given that the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) are geographically closer to Indonesia than the CanRC, it is prudent that the CER share information with these churches and work in close conjunction with them as well as with the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) (the latter because of their close connection to the Calvinist Reformed Churches in Indonesia (GGRCI)).
- 4.4 The CER recognizes the need for ongoing dialogue with Smithville on issues regarding ecclesiastical relationships in Indonesia and has recommended including this in the mandate.
- 4.5 The witness of Smithville to the faith of the GGRI-T is commendable, but the CER report indicates that the deputies from the GGRI-T themselves minimally engage with the synodically appointed committee despite repeated attempts.
5. Recommendations
That Synod decide:
- 5.1 To continue Ecclesiastical Contact (EC) with the Reformed Churches in Indonesia – Timor (GGRI-T) according to the adopted rules;
- 5.2 To instruct the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
- 5.2.1 To maintain open lines of communication with the Smithville CanRC to be aware of opportunities within the normal ambit of CER work to benefit the Reformed Churches in Indonesia – Timor (GGRI-T);
- 5.2.2 To work in consultation and cooperation with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia (FRCA) and the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) as the CER interacts with the GGRI-T;
- 5.2.3 To continue to communicate to the GGRI-T a willingness to be available for discussions with a view to promoting ecclesiastical harmony and unity between faithful Reformed churches in Indonesia;
- 5.2.4 To submit its report on its activities with respect to the GGRI-T to the churches no later than six (6) months prior the convening of the next general synod.