Words from our Brothers and Sisters in the CRC in Burundi
In this new series, The Abide Project will post responses to the Human Sexuality Report and Synod 2022 from denominations around the world that are connected to the Christian Reformed Church. These connections, like the one below, could be from denominations that have ecumenical relations to the CRC.
What denomination are you a part of and in what capacity do you serve your denomination?
I, Rev. Jean-Bosco Nsabimana, am serving as Senior Pastor in Christian Life Assembly congregation in Bujumbura and am the General Secretary of the CRC Coalition in Burundi.
How is your denomination affiliated and/or how have you partnered with the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA)?
I was invited to address Synod 2017 as a fraternal delegate. In addition, we are currently partnering with Resonate Global Mission to provide Timothy Leadership Training to pastors in Burundi. This program of training involves many churches, not only the CRC Burundi.
In June 2022, the CRCNA Synod declared as confessional teaching that homosexual sex is sinful. Does your denomination have a position on the subject?
Our denomination agrees with the decision of CRCNA Synod 2022, and we affirm that homosexual sex is a sin.
Would it have any impact on your denomination if the CRCNA does not continue to uphold the historic Christian understanding of marriage and human sexuality
We want the CRC to continue to uphold the historic Christian understanding of marriage and human sexuality. If they change their position, we cannot continue supporting them because our laws in the country are against homosexual sex. And even if the laws of our land didn't forbid it, we would still have difficulty partnering with a denomination that has failed to follow the word of God on these matters. I want to affirm that I will remain faithful to the word of God until I die.
Also I want to share with you some Bible verses that show how God is against homosexual practice. If we really believe that the Bible is the only truth from God, let's follow its teachings, principles and instructions. (Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-10, Jude 7)
Do you hope the CRCNA will continue to hold to this position in the future or that it will be more open to considering other views?
We want that decision to remain firm. Even though the laws in North America might allow things that our country does not, we as churches should still remain faithful to the word of God.