GS 1974 ARTICLE 72 – Reformed Ecumenical Synod
Advisory Committee IV presents the following draft of a letter to the General Secretary of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod:
- November 1974
- Dr. Paul Schrotenboer
- Gen. Seer. Ref. Ecumenical Synod 1677 Gentian Dr. S.E.
- Grand Rapids, Mich. Esteemed Dr. Schrotenboer,
Your invitation to send a representative to the meeting of the R.E.S. has been forwarded by the Rev. G. VanDooren to the General Synod of The Canadian Reformed Churches.
In its meeting, convened at Toronto in November 1974, the General Synod made the following statements (Acts, art. 37),
Considerations:
- 1) Similar invitations may be expected in the future.
- 2) Synod 1971 New Westminster (Acts Art. 92, p. 44) rightly saw membership of the R.E.S. as an impediment to enter into correspondence with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
- 3) The R.E.S. has among its member churches some which are also members of the apostate community which calls itself the ‘World Council of Churches’.
- 4) Sending an ‘official observer’ must be proof of ‘interest in the cause of the R.E.S.’, which never has been shown by any previous General Synod, nor asked from this Synod by any of the Churches.
Synod decide,
- 1) to approve of the action of Rev. G. VanDooren;
- 2) not to send an ‘official observer’ to any future R.E. Synod as long as it is considered unacceptable in the light of the 1971 decision;
- 3) to inform the General Secretary of the Reformed Ecumenical Synod of this decision.
Synod appointed the Ebenezer Church at Burlington, Box 124, to be the ‘Adress-Church’ of the Federation of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
Hoping to have been of service to you, we remain respectfully yours,