Office Bearers

GS 1965 ARTICLE 92: Correspondence Foreign Churches.[1]

Advisory Committee II’s report on correspondence is discussed again. The committee’s proposals are now adopted in their entirety, implying the following decision is taken:

  • “The General Synod, through the report of deputies for correspondence with foreign Churches, has taken note of the amendment of Article 70 of the Church Order by the Free Reformed Churches of Australia.

The Synod observes that this article in the Order of these churches now reads as follows:

  • “As it is proper that marriage is solemnized or confirmed before Christ’s congregation, using the form adopted for that purpose, the consistories shall see to this.”
  • “The General Synod has taken note of the request to continue correspondence.
  • The Synod declares that it considers it acceptable that the Australian Churches have amended CO article 70 as above, and decides to have the churches in Australia informed of this by Deputies for Correspondence with Foreign Churches.”

“The General Synod resolves not to accede to the request of The Free Reformed Churches of Australia to consult in advance on revision or expansion of the Confession, Church Order and Liturgy (except in cases where changes in the church order are required by the circumstances or customs of the country in which the church is located) for the following reasons:

  • 1.    The established rules for correspondence should not be changed and/or expanded if this is not strictly necessary. The churches in Australia have not demonstrated that the existing rules are incorrect and inadequate and that a change and addition is necessary.
  • 2.    The proposed rule is not an improvement, since complying with it would mean that if a General Synod decides to deem an amendment desirable or necessary, this decision could not be enacted by a subsequent General Synod, which could harm the scriptural progress of the life of the Churches.
  • 3.    Of course, the Churches have the freedom to consult in advance with foreign sister churches about changes deemed necessary, if they deem it desirable and necessary.”

[1] Translator: See Press Release Article 16, which combines Articles 92 & 93 into one article.