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Wednesday 9th July 2003 - Morning & Afternoon Sessions
Article 24 - Re-Opening
Elder J Wielstra asks Synod to sing Hymn 35:1, 2, reads from Scripture Ephesians 4:1-16 and leads in prayer.
All delegates are present.
Article 25 - Appointment of Advisory Committee 1
Following request to Synod, Rev A VanDelden was included in the Advisory Committee.
Reverend W. Huizinga - Convenor
Elder J Mulder
Reverend A VanDelden
Elder T Visser
Article 26 - Book of Praise
(Refer Article 22)
Materials:
Agenda item 11b - Deputies Report for Book of Praise
Agenda item 8t - Overture from F.R.C. Launceston regarding error made by Synod 2000 of the FRCA by suggesting that the NKJV was endorsed by Synod 1996 of the FRCA, when it was recommended.
Decisions:
1. To thank deputies for their work, and relieve them from their duties.
2. Recognise the error of Synod 2000's decision regarding the Book of Praise.
3. Not to accede to the deputies' proposal to print an Australian version of the Book of Praise at this point in time.
4. To appoint deputies with the mandate:
a) to ascertain the desirability and necessity for the publishing of an Australian version of the Book of Praise (also by asking the churches for feedback);
b) to monitor ongoing developments in the Canadian Book of Praise and report to synod on their plans re: the updating of language of the psalms and hymns, the confessions, and liturgical forms, especially considering the CanRC's ongoing contact with the United Reformed Churches;
5. To report back to the upcoming synod six months prior to the commencement of synod.
Grounds:
1. Synod 1996 did not "endorse the NKJV as the faithful and reliable translation for use in the churches," but recommended this version for use in the churches, while also recognising the NIV as a translation which may be used by the churches which prefer that translation.
2. The desirability of publishing an Australian Book of Praise has not been established by the churches.
3. It is desirable to ascertain the direction of the Canadian churches, especially if they are in the process of updating the language of the psalms and hymns. Then we would be able to provide a complete updated version of the Book of Praise.
ADOPTED
Article 27 - Contact with Dutch Sister Churches
Materials:
Item 11g - Deputies Relations with Sister Churches report.
Item 8e - Letters from Dr. P van Gurp - Holland
Item 8rr - Submission from FRC Byford submitting the 'Call for Reformation' which is a private appeal from members in the Dutch Sister Churches.
Item 11m - Supplementary report from Deputies Relations with Sister Churches.
Admissibility of Item 8e
DECLARED INADMISSIBLE
Grounds:
1. Synod Rules 7.3 states: "The admissibility of an agenda item shall be decided at the time the item is scheduled for consideration. Submissions not from the churches, except those allowed by the Church Order, shall be received for information only and require no acknowledgement."
2. This is not a submission from one of the churches.
Admissibility of Item 8rr
DECLARED ADMISSIBLE
Received for information
Decisions:
After one round of discussions, the matter has been deferred to allow delegates to prepare several amendments to the deputies' recommendations.
DEFERRED
Article 28 - Contact with Canadian Reformed Churches
Materials:
Item 11g - Deputies Relations with Sister Churches report
Decisions:
1. To continue sister relations with the Canadian Reformed Churches according to established rules.
2. To monitor developments with the CanRC for mutual benefit, according to our rules.
3. To authorise the deputies to send one delegate to the 2004 General Synod of Chatham
Grounds:
1. The Canadian Reformed Churches give evidence of continuing faithfulness to the Word of God, maintaining the Reformed Confessions and Church Order.
2. Some developments with the CanRC parallel those in our Dutch Sister Churches. We should stay informed, monitor these developments and be of help to each other. In this way there is also consistency in the way we deal with our Sister Churches.
3. We value our bond with our American/Canadian Sister Churches; we can learn from each other; and should keep in good contact with them. Personal contact at synodical level reinforces this.
ADOPTED
Article 29 - Adoption of Acts
Articles 1-16 of the Acts are adopted.
Article 30 - Contact with Presbyterian Church of Korea
Materials:
Agenda Item 11g - Deputies' Relations with Sister Churches Report
Agenda Item 8tt - The Church at Mount Nasura notes that the sister relation with the Korean Presbyterian Church (Kosin) has not functioned. It requests synod to decide that unless this relationship improves, it be phased out.
DECLARED ADMISSIBLE
Agenda Item 8xx - Overture from FRC Armadale. "After so many years it is responsible to draw the conclusion that the rules governing our relationship with the PCK do not allow continued contact. Why not recognise that in practice we receive no attests or visitors from the PCK or visa versa, and neither do we call their ministers or they ours? The relationship is not meaningful at all."
DECLARED ADMISSIBLE
Decisions:
1. That the FRCA continue Sister Church Relations with the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) according the established rules.
2. That deputies are mandated to use the opportunity to improve contact with the PCK by direct dialogue with Dr S.G. Hur and the Fraternal Relations Committee.
3. In an endeavour to strengthen ties and communications with the PCK, that, if received, we accept the invitation to the next General Assembly of the PCK.
4. that deputies include in their report to next synod an assessment about the viability of continued relations with the PCK on the basis of the adopted rules for sister relations, together with recommendations.
Grounds:
1. No evidence has arisen suggesting that the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Koshin) has departed from the Word of God, the Reformed Confessions or the Church Order.
2. Dr. S.G. Hur has offered to assist in the contact and dialogue with PCK and sees that it is important to continue with this work.
3. The PCK has received the least amount of attention over the years and deputies have not been to the General Assemblies of the PCK to pursue the task under the Rules for Sister Church Relations.
4. As Mt Nasura and Armadale rightly note, a sister relation that does not function should be recognized as such.
ADOPTED
Article 31 - Proposal regarding Term Missionary
(Refer Article 36)
Materials:
Agenda Item 8L - Having discussed FRC Armadale's request, classis south requests Synod 2003 to make a new ruling in the line of Art 55 Synod 2000;
a. So that a trained person with a Diploma of Theological Studies (plus special missiological, language and cultural studies) can be ordained as a special 'term-missionary' for mission work only, and only for an agreed term;
b. That this person should undergo an exam by classis prior to ordination; and
c. That upon completion of his term he will be released officially by the sending church and the classis.
DECLARED ADMISSIBLE
Grounds:
Synod decided by special resolution to admit this item to the agenda of synod. Although the item is a new item, and arrived after the closing date set by the convening church, there are exceptional circumstances. The church of Armadale has brought this item to synod via the classis, and this meeting was convened too late to be able to meet the strict requirement of coming to synod prior to the closing date for the submission of new items of business.
Agenda Item 8z - FRC Albany expressing difficulty with the direction decided on by Classis South.
DECLARED ADMISSIBLE
Synod had one round of discussion on this matter. Continued in Article 36.
Article 32 - Submission Article 45 Church Order
Materials:
Agenda Item 6f - Submission on Article 45 Church Order from Classis South
Original Article 45 reads as follows: "A synod shall be convened before the appointed time if according to the judgement of at least two classes this appears necessary. Its time and place shall be decided by the church appointed as convening church for the next regular synod subject to the approval of its classis."
Classis South proposes an amendment to Article 45 as follows: "A synod shall be convened before the appointed time at the request of any one church with the concurring advice of its classis if according to the judgement of at least two classes this appears necessary. Its time and place shall be decided by the church appointed as convening church for the next regular synod subject to the approval of its classis."
Decisions:
Synod agrees to the following change to Article 45.
"A Synod shall be convened before the appointed time at the request of a classis. Its time and place shall be decided by the church appointed as convening church for the next regular synod."
Grounds:
1. Original wording in place in our church order is taken from the church order of a larger bond of churches with a larger number of classes.
2. Original wording would lead to the possibility of five churches in our bond wishing to hold an extra-ordinary synod while three churches all in one classis do not want this synod. This is not the intent of the church order.
ADOPTED
last updated 23 Jul 2003
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