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Tuesday 15th July 2003 - Morning & Afternoon Sessions
Article 75 - Re-opening
The chairman welcomed all delegates and re-opened Synod.
Elder G Reitsema requested all present to sing Psalm 143: 1, 3 & 5.
He then read Ecclesiastes 12: 9-14.
Article 76 - Adoption of the Acts
After a brief interruption by a mobile telephone playing a favourite Genevan tune, the Articles 45 through 74 were discussed. A suggestion was made to include in the Acts every appeal with its grounds.
Decision deferred.
Article 77 - Letter of greeting from PCEA
(Refer Article 81)
Material:
Agenda Item 11f - Greetings and letter from PCEA
The letter of greeting of the Presbyterian Churches of Eastern Australia was read.
The full text can be found in Appendix.
Article 78 - Overture from Mt Nasura re Dr Ward PCEA
Material:
Agenda Item 8jj - Overture from Mt Nasura asking synod to mandate its deputies for contact with the PCEA to express concern about Dr R S Ward's understanding of Scripture in his book, Foundations in Genesis - Genesis 1-11 Today (New Melbourne Press, 1998) as it leaves open the way for unacceptable teachings concerning creation.
Defeated Decision
Decision:
Not to accede to the request of Mt Nasura.
Grounds:
The supervision of the doctrine of a Minister of the Word serving in another bond of churches is the responsibility of his session/presbytery. Mt. Nasura does not indicate that it has taken this matter to Rev. Ward and his session/presbytery. For the Synod to now adopt Mountt Nasura's judgment would be out of order and would be to lord it over others.
DEFEATED
Adopted Decision
Decision:
1. Not to accede to the request of Mt Nasura
2. To request deputies to investigate this matter further and to report back to the churches.
Grounds:
The material presented to synod was not sufficient for synod to make a judgement on this matter and therefore needs further investigation.
ADOPTED
last updated 22 Jul 2003
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