GS 2001 Article 90 – Book of Praise: Church at London re: Form for Ordination of Elders and Deacons

Committee 3 presented its proposal regarding the letter from the Church at London regarding the Form for Ordination. The following was adopted:

1. Material 

Letter from the Church at London suggesting changes to the Form for the Ordination of Elders and Deacons.

2. Observations

The Church at London has observed that the Free Reformed Churches of Australia decided to add a sentence to the charge to the deacons in the Form for the Ordination of Elders and Deacons, “Encourage the congregation to do good to all men especially to those of the household of faith”  (Acts of Synod Kelmscott 1996, Article 89, Appendix P). The Church at London requests Synod Neerlandia “to instruct the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise to incorporate this change in our liturgical forms.”

3. Considerations 

• 3.1. This matter should have come on the agenda of Synod in the ecclesiastical way: via Classis and Regional Synod (CO Article 30).
• 3.2. The Church at London could direct its suggestion to the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise for consideration.

4. Recommendation 

Synod declare the letter from the Church at London inadmissible.