Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 79 – FRCNA (Free Reformed Churches of North America)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Committee for Ecumenical Relations (CER) Report 5: Free Reformed Churches in North America (FRCNA) (8.2.10.5).
  • 1.2    Letter from the church at Guelph (Emmanuel) (8.3.10.11).

2.   Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.
  • 2.2    The letter was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It interacts with a report to GS 2025 and was received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 161) decided:
    • [3.1]    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • [3.1.1]    To engage in continued dialogue and contact with the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA);
      • [3.1.2]    To meet simultaneously with the Heritage Reformed Churches in North America (HRCNA) and FRCNA ecumenicity committees;
      • [3.1.3]    To submit its report to the churches six months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.2    From the CER report, the following:
    • 3.2.1    The CER met with the FRCNA at NAPARC 2022 and 2023;
    • 3.2.2    A meeting was held in March 2023 to discuss theological emphases, particularly regarding covenant theology and the preaching of faith and repentance;
    • 3.2.3    The FRCNA expressed appreciation for the ongoing discussions and desire to continue dialogue;
    • 3.2.4    The FRCNA maintains formal contact with the CanRC and other NAPARC churches;
    • 3.2.5    The CER was unable to meet simultaneously with the FRCNA and HRC ecumenical committees as mandated;
    • 3.2.6    Progress towards organic unity between the FRCNA and HRC appears to have stalled. The FRCNA/HRC joint unity committee has not been disbanded but its focus is now more on “grassroots” activity;
    • 3.2.7    The FRCNA continues to closely monitor its relationship with the CGKN and has sent them a formal letter of concern over the matter of women in office;
    • 3.2.8    The CER remain convinced that discussions on covenant and appropriation of salvation can take place within a bond of brotherly fellowship within the bounds of Scripture and confession.
  • 3.3    The CER recommends that Synod decide:
    • 3.3.1    To continue Ecclesiastical Contact (EC) with the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) according to the adopted rules with a view to possibly advancing this to a relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF);
    • 3.3.2    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
      • 3.3.2.1   To convey this decision to the FRCNA;
      • 3.3.2.2   To submit its report on its activities with respect to the FRCNA to the churches 6 months prior to the convening of the next general synod.
  • 3.4    The Guelph (Emmanuel) CanRC cautions against having personal and anecdotal experiences weigh on the federation’s ecumenical relationships, whether positively or negatively.

4.   Considerations

  • 4.1    The CanRC currently enjoys a relationship with the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) under their “Level 1” category (Formal Contact) as per the decision of GS 2019 (art. 148).
  • 4.2    The CanRC has good connections and relations with the FRCNA on several local levels in some areas.
  • 4.3    There is not a pressing need to meet jointly with the FRCNA and Heritage Reformed Congregations (HRC) committees while their unity discussions are stalled.
  • 4.4    The comment from the Guelph (Emmanuel) CanRC is noted.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To continue Ecclesiastical Contact (EC) with the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) according to the adopted rules with a view to possibly advancing this to a relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF).
  • 5.2    To mandate the Committee on Ecumenical Relations (CER):
    • 5.2.1    To convey this decision to the Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA);
    • 5.2.2    To submit its report on its activities with respect to the FRCNA to the churches no later than six (6) months prior to the convening of the next general synod.

ADOPTED