GS 2001 art 96

GS 2001 Article 96Book of Praise: Letter from the Church at Abbotsford

Committee 3 presented its proposal concerning the letter of the Church at Abbotsford with  Suggestions and Concerns re: the Book of Praise. The following was adopted:

1. Material

Letter from the Church at Abbotsford requesting Synod to revise the mandate for the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise.

2. Observations

  • 2.1. The Church at Abbotsford requests Synod to revise the mandate of the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise as follows (summarized):
  • Find people in the Reformed community to:
    • 2.1.1. Critique or find alternate melodies for some of the Psalms and Hymns.
    • 2.1.2. To modernize the language.
    • 2.1.3. To determine legal responsibilities and also keep in contact with sister churches regarding the Book of Praise.

3. Considerations

  • 3.1. The letter from the Church at Abbotsford contains a request that 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 Abbotsford could direct this request to the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise for consideration.

4. Recommendation

Synod declare that the letter from the Church at Abbotsford is inadmissible.