Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia cuts ties with General Synod

In a historic decision last Thursday the Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia took a final decision to break away from the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa.

The resolution, passed by a two thirds majority at a Synod session in Windhoek, follows a decision by the Nambian Synod in 2022 to follow a so-called “Matthew 18” disciplinary path, giving the General Synod time to repent of decisions which the Namibian Synod view as unbiblical before enforcing a decision to sever ties. Namibia’s concerns include decisions regarding same-sex marriage and the authority of Scripture.

The Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia said on Thursday that it wants to conclude new bilateral agreements – and search for cooperation and support with other role-players in the Kingdom.

After the breakaway vote by leaders representing 42 congregations in Namibia, moderator Ds Johannes Maritz said: “Let us hold each other from here onwards, to live in reconciliation with each other, also with those who do not necessarily wholeheartedly agree with us.”

In an interview with Radio Sonder Grense, executive member of the DRC Synod and Swakopmund dominee, Ds Kenneth McKenzie said that while they were in “uncharted waters” they would continue to be a Dutch Reformed Church and have some kind of a relationship with other Dutch Reformed Churches.

The executive of the management committee of the General Synod responded “with sadness” to the decision of the DRC in Namibia to “disengage from the General Synodal connection”, reports Kerkbode in an article posted on Saturday.

“We also respect the seriousness and care with which [the DRC in Namibia] has reflected on this step over the past five years and has discussed it with us in various meetings there and here,” the executive committee’s letter reads. 

“We hope to hear from the Dutch Reformed Church in Namibia soon and to be able to meet them officially in order to gain clarity on how we should understand their decision theologically, on how they see the way forward and on how we will be able to make our shared Christian witness heard in Southern Africa in a new and benevolent way.” the letter says.

On Sunday, leaders of Koinonia Synod, which is a relational grouping of Dutch Reformed churches and members who oppose the liberal values of the general synod but do not want to leave the denomination, met to discuss a response to the Namibian Synod’s decision.

Dr Anton Knoetze chairman of Koinonia Synod told Gateway News they welcomed the Namibia Synod’s decision which they had reached through following the biblical Matthew 18 process over a number of years

“The problem is that the General Synod of the Dutch  Reformed Church did not pay any attention to the warnings. They did not take them seriously,” he said.

Knoetze said that in its letter to the Namibian Synod, Koinonoa commended them for their biblical stand and said they would love to foster relations with them but understand they need time to deal with internal issues.

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