Office Bearers

GS 1968 ARTICLE 170

Committee II on Proposal Re Other Colleges presents:

Materials:

  • a. Overture of the Church at Hamilton, Ont., III,36;
  • b. Request of the Church at Edmonton, Alta, IV, 13 sub 2.

Observations:

  • 1. The Church at Hamilton is of the opinion “that there are better and more appropriate possibilities. Also more realistic and responsible” than “to ex­pand the existing training facilities to a full fledged own and independent Theological Seminary with professors, lecturers, and other staff required, as well as buildings and library”.
  • 2. The Church at Hamilton, however, also declares that “If there really were no other possibilities, our consistory would be the first to recognize this and stimulate with all possible resources the founding of this own and indepen­dent Canadian Reformed Seminary. At any cost”.
  • 3. The Church at Edmonton suggests that Synod “investigate whether there are other Theological Schools or Colleges where a reformed theological training can be obtained”, meanwhile continuing the Training for the Ministry as it is being done at this time.
  • 4. The first point from the “Rules and Regulations” adopted by the Synod of Edmonton 1965, Acts Art. 199, 6, I, reads, “De Kerken verzorgen de Opleiding tot de dienst-des Woords door middel van Curatoren, die benoemd en geinstrueerd worden door de Generale Synode.”

Considerations:

  • 1. The proposal of the Church at Hamilton suggests a course which would lead away from a College of our own, and would bring the Churches to make use of a College or Seminary over which they would have no control whatsoever.
  • 2. This course would be inconsistent with the above quoted “Rule”, adopted by Synod 1965.
  • 3. Even though it is possible that those who have studied elsewhere be admitted to the ecclesiastical examinations after having passed a “supplementary exam­ination” (see e.g. Acts Synod Homewood 1958, Art.151), yet it is to be considered a matter of utmost importance for the future of the Churches that the Training for the Ministry be kept in our own hands.

Recommendation:

Synod do not accede to the proposal and the suggestion of the Churches at Hamilton and Edmonton, respectively.

ADOPTED

The Revs. L. SeIles and G. VanDooren abstain from voting.