GS 1965 ARTICLE 140: Excommunication of “non-communicant members”.

Advisory Committee II proposes some changes to its most recently issued proposals on forms for the excommunication of non-communicant members. These proposals are adopted by the Synod in the following form:

• “The General Synod has taken note
  • 1.    of the proposal from the Regional Synod of the Churches in Ontario, dated September 22, 1965, to adopt the draft forms for the excommunication of non-communicant members sent by this Regional Synod;
  • 2.    of a letter from the Church at New Westminster, B.C., dated October 28, 1965, containing a proposal not to adopt the forms proposed by the Regional Synod of Ontario but to appoint a study committee for this matter.
• The Synod considers that for the introduction of new liturgical forms
  • a.    a united sentiment in the Churches is desirable;
  • b.    a practice similar to that followed in the foreign Reformed Churches is recommended.
• The Synod decides
  • 1. To appoint two deputies with the mandate
    • a.    examine which forms should be adopted for the excommunication of church members, who have not yet made profession of faith, and, bearing the name Christian, display unchristian doctrine or conduct;
    • b.    to report the result of their research to the Churches at least six months before the next General Synod.
  • 2.    a.   to submit to these deputies the draft forms sent by the Regional Synod of the Churches in Ontario;
    • b.    to inform these deputies of the existence of a report by deputies for the investigation of guidelines and forms concerning the discipline of non-communicant members, appointed by the Synod Launceston 1964 of The Free Reformed Churches of Australia (Acts Synod Launceston 1964, art. 59)”.