The “Confraternidad Latinoamericana de Iglesias Reformadas” (CLIR) had its beginning in 1993 when the concept of a worldwide confessional fellowship of Reformed churches took concrete form. Talks between the Presbyterian Church in America, the Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil, and the Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México led to the invitation of other churches from all over Latin America to join the Fellowship. The Latin American Regional Ministry Advisory Board has grown steadily from that time. Denominations, theological seminaries and institutions, and book publishing ministries make up our members and affiliates.
Latin America has experienced tremendous change in the past 30 years. These changes have helped the Gospel to be spread in many cases, but have also brought many and different challenges for Reformed churches of the region. Specific challenges include: the growth of New Age religions and the re-emphasizing of ancient pagan spirituality; increasing secularism and consumerism as the Roman Catholic Church loses power; the rise of feminism and homosexualism and the social changes occurring because of this; the tendency for many of the charismatic churches to adopt a ‘Health and Wealth’ message, influencing vast sectors of the Protestant church. These religious and social movements are tied to much unrest and pressures in the economic and political spheres of Latin countries.
The Reformed churches of Latin America have traditionally not worked closely with one another due for the most part to different past histories. However, almost all of them face the same issues. When CLIR provided a forum for joint efforts among like-minded churches, many people were inspired. The goals of CLIR were to bring confessionally Reformed churches and institutions into contact with one another to assist each other in missions, theological education and the defense of the faith.
The activities which CLIR has been engaged in for the last 15 years are conferences, the publication of a theological journal which is sent to the entire continent, the publication of Reformed books in Spanish, and most recently in the formation of an Accreditation Committee to aid theological institutions in attaining excellent academic standards. Thousands have attended CLIR conferences, always with the question: “When will you do another one?” CLIR has shown that when such activities are shared by several entities, much can be accomplished. The success that God has allowed for CLIR’s activities has been through the good will, and joint effort of sometimes 3 or 4 entities catching a vision and cooperating together. CLIR is able to be the forum for this joint labor, to God’s glory.
Future challenges are many. The Latin America political scene is changing very fast. The role of churches in the future is still uncertain. Latin society is ‘globalizing’ at breakneck speed, bringing both the good and bad aspects of globalization. Churches often lag behind in analysis and response to these changes. Another aspect is the critical need of resources for leadership training, Christian schooling, Reformed commentaries and theological works, as well as works of apologetics. Reformed radio and TV is almost non-existent. CLIR has been helping out in some of these areas. Our web page has been a meeting place for some. It is exciting to see many church leaders catching more and more a dynamic vision for the Church’s mission and seeking one another out to assist one another. May God be glorified and His Church edified!
For further information, see our website: www.clir.net
Or contact our Executive Secretary: Rev. Guillermo (Bill) Green.
