WCRC seeks new executives for communion and justice

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has begun an intensive search to find the next executive secretaries for Justice and Witness and Communion and Theology.

“Communion, theology and justice are key to the work of the WCRC,” says President Jerry Pillay. “We are set on building Christian unity both within the Communion and outside. We are big on ecumenical engagement, church dialogues and making a difference in the world as we work for justice, peace and reconciliation.”

Anna Case-Winters, of the Presbyterian Church (USA), is the chair of the search committee, which also includes Omega Bula (United Church of Zambia), the WCRC’s six elected officers, and General Secretary Chris Ferguson.

“The work of communion and justice are vitally connected,” said Case-Winters. “The persons in these two positions will need commitments to both and the capacity to work collaboratively in a common mission that includes both.”

“The Accra Confession highlights the need for economic justice, gender justice and ecological justice. And we have to engage in our quest for justice from a biblical and theological perspective,” said Pillay. “Also we cannot have true unity and communion without addressing issues of injustice. It is thus clear that both positions are required to collaborate, engage and discern together on significant issues and challenges as we work towards the ‘fullness of life’ in Jesus Christ for everyone.”

Executive secretaries are appointed by the WCRC Executive Committee to serve a term of five years and are eligible for one renewal for an additional five-year term. It is anticipated that duties for both will begin on 1 January 2018. Both positions will be based in the WCRC office in Hannover, Germany.

“Our office is an international one and, in fact, most of our member churches are from the Global South, so therefore our commitment is to reflect the diversity of this Communion,” said Ferguson. “As such, even as we welcome all qualified applicants, members from the Global South and women are especially encouraged to apply.”

Applications are due by 30 April 2017. Information on the application process, including full job descriptions, can be found at wcrc.ch/jobs.

Both positions are coming open as Douwe Visser, executive secretary for theology, mission and communion, is retiring as of 1 August, while Dora Arce Valentin, executive secretary for justice and partnership, completes her term on 31 December.