GS 1974 ARTICLE 64 – National Presbyterian Church
Advisory Committee II presents:
MATERIAL:
- Agenda Q “Contact with the National Presbyterian Church”, submitted to Synod by the Church at Edmonton in its overture dated June 10, 1974.
OBSERVATIONS:
- 1. The Consistory of the Church at Edmonton proposes to Synod to take note of the “Message to All Churches of Jesus Christ throughout the World from the General Assembly of the National Presbyterian Church”;
- 2. The Consistory places this matter before this Synod on the basis of Article 30 C.O., stating that “contacts with (including communications from) Churches Abroad (certainly when expressing and/or inviting into ecclesiastical fellowship) clearly “pertain to the Churches of the major assembly in common”.
- 3. The Consistory further proposes Synod to “take any and all decisions which our Lord Jesus Christ asks us to make in this respect,” which it specifies with the following words: “… in the first place an investigation regarding the National Presbyterian Church is called for, either by you, or by Deputies to be appointed by you.”
- 4. The Consistory itself did not start such an investigation because of Article 30 C.O. and because it is convinced that “the text of the enclosed “Message” gives sufficient grounds for action” by Synod.
CONSIDERATIONS:
- 1. It is a reason for thankfulness that the Church at Edmonton informs Synod about the above mentioned “Message”.
- 2. Minor assemblies when making a proposal for taking up contact with other churches, should supply Synods with sufficient information as it appears from decisions made by General Synod Hamilton, 1962, Acts, Article 82 and General Synod Edmonton, 1965, Acts, Article 141 sub. II.
- 3. The Consistory itself states that the first thing called for is an investigation.
- 4. The Consistory has not given sufficient proof for its conviction that in this stage Synod or a Committee appointed by Synod has to take action in this matter according to Article 30 C.O.
- 5. Article 30 C.O. does not prohibit nor prevent a minor assembly to make preparatory investigations in matters of contact with other churches.
- 6. This “Message” cannot be seen as the result of such a preparatory investigation.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Synod decide:
- 1. to receive with thankfulness the “Message” from the “National Presbyterian Church” as information;
- 2. to provide this church with the address of our Churches.
- 3. not to accept the second proposal of the Consistory of the Church at Edmonton.