GS 2025 Article 183 – SCBP (Book of Praise) Report Section One, Parts 1,2,3 (Shorter LS Forms)

1.   Material

• 1.1    Report of the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP). (8.2.8.1).
• 1.2    Letters from the following churches: Attercliffe (8.3.8.1.6), Aldergrove (8.3.8.2.1), Barrhead (8.3.8.2.3), Caledonia (8.3.8.2.5), Calgary (8.3.8.1.12), Chilliwack (8.3.8.2.6), Grand Valley (8.3.8.2.12), Guelph (Emmanuel) (8.3.8.1.31), Nooksack Valley (8.3.8.2.13), Orangeville (8.3.8.2.14), Taber (8.3.8.1.42), Willoughby Heights (8.3.8.2.17), Arthur (8.3.8.2.2), Burlington Waterdown (Rehoboth) (8.3.8.2.4), Edmonton (Immanuel) (8.3.8.1.17), Elm Creek (8.3.8.2.8), Fergus (Maranatha) (8.3.8.2.9), Flamborough (Redemption) (8.3.8.2.10), Guelph (Living Word) (8.3.8.2.11), St. Albert (8.3.8.2.15), Surrey (Maranatha) (8.3.8.2.16).

2.         Admissibility

• 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
  • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous general synod and was submitted on time.
• 2.2    The letters from the churches were all admissible.
  • Grounds: These letters interact with a report to GS 2025 were submitted on time.

3.   Observations

• 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 43 gr. 3.1; art. 71 gr. 3.1.1, 3.3.1, 3.5.1) mandated the SCBP to:
  • [3.1.1]    Remove the bracketed qualifier “For the Second Service” from the Abbreviated Form for the Celebration of the Lord’s supper.
  • [3.1.2]    Amend the wording and musical notation of Hymn 1 and the Apostles’ Creed to the Committee’s recommendation.
  • [3.1.3]    Adopt the updated language for Hymn 55 as recommended by the Committee.
  • [3.1.4]    Adopt the change of melody for Hymn 58 as recommended by the Committee.
  • [3.1.5]    The Committee has noted these changes for the next publication of the Book of Praise or an authorized augment.
  • The SCBP reports that the above points were implemented.
• 3.2    GS 2022 mandated the SCBP to “Study and propose appropriate changes to the forms for Lord’s supper (Acts, Art. 120) per the following considerations:
  • [GS 2019 art. 23 cons. 3.1]: RSE Nov. 2018 makes a valid point that the English language has changed and therefore the use of masculine pronouns in the forms for Lord’s supper could make them liable to misinterpretation.
  • [GS 2019 art. 23 cons. 3.2]: General Synod has been served by SCBP in matters of linguistic changes to the liturgical forms (see GS 2013 Art. 101). It would be advisable to ask the Committee to study this and propose appropriate changes to the Lord’s supper forms giving special attention to the personal nature of self-examination. In this process the churches would have the opportunity to interact with any proposed changes.
  • [GS 2022, art. 120 dec. 3.8.1]: Fulfill as yet the directive of GS 2019 to study and propose appropriate changes to the masculine pronouns used in Lord’s supper forms.
  • 3.2.1    The SCBP evaluated four options for revising the self-examination section:
    • 3.2.1.1   retaining third-person masculine singular,
    • 3.2.1.2   using first-person plural cohortative (“Let us…”),
    • 3.2.1.3   second-person singular imperative (“You…”),
    • 3.2.1.4   third-person indefinite plural (“they/their”).
  • 3.2.2    The Committee judged the options that use the first-person plural cohortative (3.2.1.2) and the second-person singular imperative (3.2.1.3) as the most viable, due to their greater emphasis on personal address and scriptural alignment with 1 Corinthians 11:28.
  • 3.2.3    The first-person plural cohortative was recommended, supported by this rationale: the general use of first-person plural in the form, coherence with existing sections, avoiding awkwardness and gender-political connotations of “they/their.”
  • 3.2.4    The SCBP recommends changing the introductory sentence under “Self-examination” to, “In order that we may now celebrate this holy supper of the Lord to our comfort, we must each first rightly examine ourselves.”
  • 3.2.5    The SCBP recommends changing the wording of the paragraph on self-examination to read:
    • 3.2.5.1   “First, let us consider our sins and accursedness, so that we, detesting ourselves, may humble ourselves before God. For the wrath of God against sin is so great that he could not leave it unpunished, but has punished it in his beloved Son Jesus Christ by the bitter and shameful death on the cross.
    • 3.2.5.2   Second, let us search our hearts whether we also believe the sure promise of God that all our sins are forgiven us only for the sake of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ and that the perfect righteousness of Christ is freely given us as our own, as if we ourselves had fulfilled all righteousness.
    • 3.2.5.3   Third, let us examine our consciences whether it is our sincere desire to show true thankfulness to God with our entire lives and, laying aside all enmity, hatred, and envy, to live with our neighbours in true love and unity.”
  • 3.2.6    Only a few churches interacted with the proposed change, and the responses were fairly evenly split between support and opposition.
• 3.3    GS 2022 (art. 156) mandated the SCBP to “Provide shorter forms for the celebration of the Lord’s supper” which are:
  • a. Reformed in character;
  • b. Comparable in content to the current forms;
  • c. Shorter than the current Abbreviated Form.
  • 3.3.1    The SCBP reviewed forms from sister churches and found that while some were shorter, most lacked completeness. Only the RCUS form was comparable in content, but it was longer than the current abbreviated form.
  • 3.3.2    The SCBP drafted two new short forms:
    • 3.3.2.1   Short Form #1: based on Scripture and Confessions (with and without citations).
    • 3.3.2.2   Short Form #2: more concise and thematic, emphasizing covenantal and confessional truths.
    • 3.3.2.3   Both forms aim to preserve the Reformed doctrine of the Supper, include essential elements such as institution, explanation, self-examination, admonition, communion, and prayer.
    • 3.3.2.4   The Committee suggested adding a “usage note” recommending that these shorter forms be used in rotation with the long form to maintain doctrinal richness over time.
  • 3.3.3    Several churches expressed appreciation for the availability of shorter forms, especially for use in the churches where the Lord’s supper is celebrated more frequently. These churches welcomed the reduced length, confessional clarity, and liturgical usability of the new forms.
  • 3.3.4    Some churches expressed support for the adoption of the proposed shorter forms, however most of these churches suggested there is a need for revision and improvement.
  • 3.3.5    Other churches expressed opposition to the adoption of the proposed shorter forms for various reasons, including the perception that changes are driven by perceived cultural pressure rather than theological need, lack of reverence, missing admonition and self-examination, and weak prayers.
  • 3.3.6    Some churches expressed support for the usage note.

4.   Considerations

• 4.1    With respect to the GS 2022 (art. 43 & 71) mandate, “Implementation of Synod decisions on Committee proposals,” the SCPB has fulfilled the mandate of GS 2022.
• 4.2    With respect to the GS 2022 (art. 120) mandate, “Study and propose appropriate changes to the forms for Lord’s supper”:
  • 4.2.1    The SCBP fulfilled its mandate to explore the linguistic challenges associated with the use of masculine pronouns in the Lord’s supper form and provided a thoughtful analysis of available options.
  • 4.2.2    The recommended first-person plural cohortative aligns with the general tone and structure of the existing Lord’s supper form, maintaining continuity and corporate liturgical voice, while the strengthened introductory sentence effectively safeguards the individual nature of self-examination.
  • 4.2.3    Although a number of churches expressed a preference for the second-person imperative as more personal and direct, this grammatical form would introduce a tonal shift inconsistent with the rest of the form and could fragment the unified language of the liturgy. The cohortative form, especially with the proposed introductory revision, adequately addresses concerns about personal application.
  • 4.2.4    The two shorter forms drafted by the SCBP fulfill the core elements of the Synod 2022 mandate: they are Reformed in character, comparable in content to the current forms, and shorter than the existing Abbreviated Form.
  • 4.2.5    By choosing to use the headings in our current form as guidelines, the SCBP unnecessarily limited its study of the forms of sister churches to those which were virtually identical, rather than to those which were comparable.
  • 4.2.6    While some churches expressed concern that the shorter forms lacked the doctrinal depth or admonitory weight of the longer form, such concerns do not justify rejecting the forms outright.
  • 4.2.7    A period of testing and feedback will allow churches to assess the forms in context and provide meaningful input. Further refinement is best achieved through this broader use and interaction.
  • 4.2.8    The inclusion of Scripture references in Short Form #1 was widely appreciated and adds clarity and authority. Churches should have the flexibility to choose the version (with or without citations) that best fits their local context.
  • 4.2.9    Concerns about the proposed “usage note”—particularly whether it constitutes an undue limitation on local discretion—indicate that such a note should not be included.
  • 4.2.10  Although some churches requested a broader collection of shorter forms, care must be taken not to proliferate forms unnecessarily. Multiplying forms risks undermining liturgical unity and could burden the churches with excessive variation. The current shorter forms should be tested and evaluated before any expansion is considered.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

• 5.1    To thank the Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise (SCBP) for its diligent work in fulfilling its task as mandated by GS 2022.
• 5.2    To provisionally adopt the proposed revision to the self-examination section of the Lord’s supper form, as indicated in observations 3.2.4 and 3.2.5, for use in the churches until the next general synod, with the understanding that it is to be used on a testing basis, not as finally adopted form.
• 5.3    To provisionally adopt Short Form #1 and Short Form #2 for use in the churches until the next general synod, with the understanding that they are to be used on a testing basis, not as finally adopted forms.
• 5.4    To mandate the committee appointed by GS 2025 (art. 175) to:
  • 5.4.1    Solicit feedback from the churches on the use of the two short forms;
  • 5.4.2    Evaluate the feedback and propose any necessary editorial refinements;
  • 5.4.3    Report to the next general synod with a recommendation regarding formal adoption, revision, or discontinuation of the forms;
  • 5.4.4    To review the Lord’s supper forms of the United Reformed Churches of America (URCNA), the Reformed Churches of New Zealand (RCNZ), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), and the Reformed Churches of the United States (RCUS) with a view to proposing alternate forms for use within the churches;
  • 5.4.5    To send this report to the churches no later than six (6) months prior to the next General Synod;
• 5.5   To name this ad hoc committee the “Committee on Liturgical Forms.”

ADOPTED