‘We are done with talking’ says Kairos Network after family gathering of opponents of DRC liberalism

Panellists at last week’s Kairos Network family gathering Pretoria are, front, from the left, Ds Norma Rossouw as conversation leader (NG Vaalrivier), Prof Henk Stoker (Theological School, Potchefstroom), Dr Tiesie de Coning (Veritas), Dr.Henrietta Klaasing (Kairos Network), Prof Hoffie Hofmyer (Kairos Network). Looking on in the background is Dr Anton Knoetze (chairman of Kairos Network)

More than 200 Christians from conservative reformed churches throughout South Africa met in the Afriforum Theatre in Pretoria last week for the first family gathering of the Kairos Network (KN), an association of Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) members committed to upholding biblical truth.

It was an “important historic moment” where likeminded believers “came together to join hands for cooperation against the liberal theology that is paralysing many churches from within”, said KN in a media statement released this week.

Some of those who attended last week’s KN family gathering get to know each other outside the venue. Front, from the left are Dr Bennie Marais and Ds Piet Otto

Shortly after the opening, the meeting was surprised with a video greeting message and promise of support and cooperation from the Alliance of Reformed Churches in America. 

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The main theme of the two-day gathering was “Forward together as a Scriptural Family of Faith”.

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According to the media statement, the following three issues came up again and again:

  1. WE DON’T WANT TO TEAR APART. The General Synod split the Dutch Reformed Church in 2019. We have no desire to tear it apart any further, we are working and praying for radical reformation. However, reformation is only possible as long as there is still an open door for reformation. If the door is closed and it leads to further division, it was not our choice. Currently, all our cries for repentance have unfortunately fallen on deaf ears.
  2. WE ARE NOT ALONE. The fight against liberalism is not unique to the DRC. This affects all reformed churches — locally and internationally. Everywhere in other countries and among other denominations worldwide, churches have been torn apart by the onslaught of liberalism, feminism, and the LGBTQI+ movement. This confirms the necessity that the time has come to bring together believers who belong together across church borders. We stand with many other Scripture-faithful believers around the world.
  3. WE ARE DONE WITH TALKING. It was clear from several of the presentations as well as panel discussions that they cannot identify much longer with the course of action in the [DRC] General Synod’s structures and the leadership. The clear message that was heard again and again, also from a number of young people who attended the meeting, was that the patience of many people has run out. We are not prepared to talk much longer with a leadership that shows little or no signs of self-examination or remorse about very devious and sometimes even manipulative processes used to achieve their goal of a church for all, but which later became a church for nobody.

In the light of the current impasse and unless they see signs of remorse and repentance from the DRC leaders, KN said it proposes – in the near future – to establish a new, alternative synod for congregations that uphold Scripture.

According to the media statement they foresee the possible formation of a new ecumenical synod for Scripture-faithful reformed churches in SA and internationally. 

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Asked how soon the KN may take steps to establish an alternative synod for disgruntled DRC congregations, Dr Anton Knoetze, chairman of Kairos Network told Gateway News that “it is a bit premature to answer that question as we are holding, on Friday, another set of meetings with the leadership of the Dutch Reformed Church.”

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One Comment

  1. Suzette van Rooyen

    Where there is unity God commands His blessing. Praise God for churches who are working together