17 May GS 2001 art 92

Posted at 16:09h in CanRC, GS 2001 by

GS 2001 Article 92 – Committee for Promotions of Ecclesiastical Unity: Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA)

Committee 4 presented its proposal regarding the Free Reformed Churches in North America. The following was adopted:

1. Material

  • 1.1. Report of the Committee for the Promotion of Ecclesiastical Unity with addendum regarding the Free Reformed Churches of North America.
  • 1.2. Letter from the Church at Willoughby Heights.

2. Admissibility

The letter from the Church at Willoughby Heights is declared admissible.

3. Observations

  • 3.1. The report of the CPEU with addendum re: the FRCNA, which is included as an appendix in the Acts, serves as observations.
  • 3.2. The CPEU recommends:
    • “3. That synod acknowledge that the CanRC have been received into the stage of ‘limited contact’ of the FRCNA unity guidelines at the FRCNA synod May, 2000, and thank the FRCNA for this initiative, expressing the hope that it may lead to federative unity.
    • 4. That the Committee continue dialogue with the Free Reformed Churches of North America with a view to promoting federative unity, and identifying whatever obstacles there may be with the FRCNA on this path.”
  • 3.3. The FRCNA definition of “limited contact” can be found in Appendix 15 of the CPEU report.
  • 3.4. The Church at Willoughby Heights states, “Although fully supportive of efforts to come to unity with the FRCNA and the OCRC, we believe talks with the FRCNA and the OCRC should not be pursued too vigorously as you can only seriously pursue unity with one federation at a time.”

4. Considerations

  • 4.1. Synod considers that being received into the stage of “limited contact” with the FRCNA is a significant and positive development.
  • 4.2. Since our churches have been received into the stage of “limited contact,” it is appropriate that we receive their delegates at our synods and send copies of our Acts of Synod to them.
  • 4.3. Synod acknowledges the concern of the Church at Willoughby Heights. However, federative unity should be pursued as best as time and opportunities allow.

5. Recommendations

Synod decide:

  • 5.1. To acknowledge that the CanRCs have been received into the stage of “limited contact” of the FRCNA unity guidelines at the FRCNA Synod May,2000,and thank the FRCNA for this initiative.
  • 5.2. To receive their delegates at our synods and send copies of our Acts of Synod to them.
  • 5.3. To continue dialogue with the FRCNA with a view to promoting federative unity, discussing whatever obstacles there may be on this path.
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