The defining moments for the Dutch Reformed Church mission policy of 1935 and 1947

Abstract

This paper explores the Dutch Reformed Mission Policy formulated by the Federal Council of Churches in 1935. The political climate of the time and the social, economic, cultural and political interest of the white Afrikaner church played a pivotal part in shaping the policy. The paper further probes the after 50 years (1986), missionary motives that ensued from such a political agenda and whether the mission policy had changed The Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) failed to see the dangers of self-interest and the tenants of God’s mission. The paper attempts to lay a sound foundation for mission in a racially divided South Africa.