The full version of the Confession of Belhar, published September 1986.
벨하 고백서
서문
This is a translation of the original Afrikaans text of the confession as it was adopted by the synod of the Dutch Reformed Mission Church in South Africa in 1986. In 1994 the Dutch Reformed Mission Church and the Dutch Reformed Church in Africa united to form the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA). This inclusive language text was prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
A verison of the Confesion of Belhar with references included to support the text.
We are deeply aware of the concern and pain in the church as expressed in the many overtures from presbyteries which deal with the question of abortion. We are disturbed by abortion which seems to be elected only as a convenience or to ease embarrassment. We affirm that abortion should not be used as a method of birth control.
On the 100th anniversary of the Annexation of Korea, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and the 10th anniversary of the June 15 Declaration of the Inter-Korean Summit, the National Council of Churches in Korea summarized progress made and issued mission goals, a vision, principles and steps, and 10 grand tasks for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, as well as an action plan.
The draft is compulsory enrollment in the armed services. The last draft in the United States occured during the Vietnam War. Registering for the draft is not the same as enlisting to serve with the armed services. While registering for the draft is required and is unique to men, enlisting in the armed services is not required, but is an option for both men and women in the United States.
Parents who come to the United States without proper documentation often come so that their children may have a better life. However, these children have few options after graduating high school. Children brought into the United States by their parents, even at very young ages, can be deported even though they may not even speak the language or have any family members in their country of origin. They are unable to obtain federal identification, have no legal right to work, cannot enlist/serve in the military, or often attend colleges and universities.
Hungryhearts article by Bonnie Bowman Thurston
Your General Assembly has created a task force with the mandate to lead the church “in spiritual discernment of [your] Christian identity.” It seems to me that an obvious source for this is St. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles, the story of the early Church’s growth and development. “How did the early Church in Jerusalem discern the will of God?” is the question I asked myself.
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In the midst of a particularly troublesome conflict situation, a church group decided to utilize the services of an outside consultant. As the consultant sought information about the nature and scope of the problem, one of the members strongly objected to questions concerning the management processes and decision-making practices of the group.
The publication of this resource fulfills a commissioner resolution adopted by the 221st General Assembly (2014) directing that it be delivered to mid councils for study and action. It responds to the situation in “eighty-one countries where homosexuality is illegal, [and where] God’s global family includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people who face persecution for simply being who they are, for whom they love, and with whom they create a family.” This resource is intended to raise awareness and prompt compassionate action on behalf of the PC(USA).
A reflection by Ken Moe on the ravages of war