Synodical Context: Peace and War
In recent years, the Christian Reformed Church has begun to delve into the complicated issues of justice and peace building the Middle East, based on the recommendations of the 2006 Synodical Report on War and Peace.
The Report on War and Peace stemmed out of the context of war in the Middle East--specifically from the debate over the morality and legality of the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003. Following a meeting in London, Ontario of one hundred concerned Christian Reformed members from the United States and Canada, the CRC Board of Trustees agree to publish a pastoral letter to CRC congregations on the war in Iraq. The BOT also recommended that Synod appoint a study committee on the broader issues of war and peace (Agenda for Synod 2006, pp. 417-18).
Synod 2006 adopted more than a dozen recommendations on the role of the Christian Reformed Church--at the denominational, congregational, and individual levels--in affirming the gospel’s call to Christians to be agents of shalom in a broken world. While maintaining a Reformed commitment to Just-War theory, the thrust of the recommendations was to urge CRC members, churches, and agencies to actively participate in building and peace at all levels of society. Synod’s suggested means by which to engage in peace-building included advocacy and participation in the political process, supporting nonviolent means of conflict resolution and the protection of human rights, and opposing the increase of militarization.
The CRC and Peace-building in the Middle East
After receiving the Synodical mandate to support peace-building efforts, the Office of Social Justice organized a study trip to visit the Middle East and assess whether the CRC should increase its involvement in peace and justice work in that region, and specifically in Israel/Palestine. The study team was asked to provide a detailed report, which gave particular attention to potential partnerships with Palestinian and/or Israeli Christian groups and gave specific recommendations for ways the denomination could support efforts to bring peace, reconciliation, and justice in this part of the world.
The Middle East Study Trip report concluded that the major contribution the CRC can make as agencies, institutions, and individuals is to raise awareness of the plight of Palestinians – particularly our sisters and brothers in Christ - among our members and friends. Its recommendations were accepted by the BOT on behalf of Synod, and were subsequently implemented:
- OSJ provides a Middle East peace and justice site to disseminate key resources and suggested steps from further action and advocacy.
- The CRC and RCA have an official partnership that includes support for RCA mission work in Israel/Palestine, joint learning trips to the Holy Land, and a joint membership in Churches for Middle East Peace, a US-based advocacy organization.
- CRC affiliated schools and institutions continue to host Arab and Palestinian Christian speakers at major conferences. For example, Archbishop Elias Chacour spoke at both Calvin’s 2010 January Series and Worship Symposium.
- Hope Equals, a youth campaign of Christian Reformed World Missions, helps students engage in peace and reconciliation work in Israel/Palestine. It actualized several important recommendations about opportunities for young people, including that:
- CRWM provides summer mission and volunteer opportunities with Palestinian Christian organizations such as Sabeel, Musalaha, and Holy Land Trust.
- CRWM offers summer internships in Israel/Palestine to Calvin Seminary students so that they can volunteer with one of the aforementioned organizations.
- Service Link includes these organizations and their programs in their area of operation (by assisting CRWM)
The CRC convened the Middle East Ministry Team (MEMT) to oversee the above efforts by providing leadership and direction to the denomination as it works to stand in active solidarity with Christian communities in the Middle East. MEMT includes representatives from various CRC agencies and institutions to coordinate and support the many ways we are striving to live our calling to be agents of shalom and salaam in the Middle East.
