GS 1968 ARTICLE 174
Committee III on Correspondence with Foreign Churches presents:
Material:
A request of Messrs. K. Blokhuis, J. Ferkranus and S. J. VanderKooy, IV,9.
Observation:
The brethren request Synod to send a pastoral letter to the sister-churches in the Netherlands in which to express:
- “our concern over the developments in the sister churches; to appeal for humility before the Lord; that the love referred to by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 should be first and foremost in all church dealing, notwithstanding differences of opinion; to do every thing possible to prevent further schisms and to heal the existing rifts.”
Consideration:
These brethren do not give sufficient evidence to substantiate their statements:
- a. “the Church order is sometimes interpreted in a disputable manner. This has resulted in a number of local church divisions.”
- b. “the Church press is not at the level which should be expected from brothers who all have one Saviour and all subscribe to the same church confession.”
- c. “the mutual Christian love, which should be the dominant factor, becomes less and less evident.”
- d. “the strong impression is obtained that as a result of the above, the conditions are becoming increasingly more chaotic.”
Recommendation:
Synod decide not to grant the request of these brethren.
Ground: They fail to substantiate the reasons for their request with factual evidence.