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ACCRA, Ghana — Drum beats, frenetic dancing and lively song in West African style set the tone when about 1,000 delegates, ecumenical observers and guests came together for the opening of the 24th general council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) in the Ghanaian capital.
Hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, members of the worldwide Reformed church family met for the seven‑yearly council, which this year is taking place under the theme, “That all may have life in fullness” (John 10:10).
More than 400 delegates descended on the capital of Ghana from the rest of Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, North America, the Middle East and the Pacific, for the meeting from July 30-August 12.
They came not only for spiritual renewal but also, as WARC general secretary Setri Nyomi said in his welcoming address, to “explore the mission to which God calls us and how we may covenant together to address current injustices and threats to life.”
The diversity of national dress codes, languages, cultures and races set the tone for two weeks of working together.
“As in the early church or the 16th century, the outcomes may well be challenging to us as churches,” Nyomi said. “It is not always easy to break out of traditional habits and embrace new mission understandings or spiritual renewal.
“It is not always easy to face up to the implications for our church life and the demands of justice in all their forms. As Christians from different cultural and geographical contexts, let us dare to develop a common mind and commit ourselves to common action — even if this means change,” he said.
WARC links about 75 million Christians in more than 200 Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed and United churches around the world. The Alliance of the Reformed Churches throughout the World holding the Presbyterian System was founded in London in 1875. The International Congregational Council first met in London in 1891. The two organizations merged in Nairobi in 1970 to form the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (Presbyterian and Congregational).
Stories from the World Alliance of Reformed Churches about the 24th General Council may be found on the WARC Web site.
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