01 Feb GS 2004 art 33

Posted at 14:25h in CanRC, GS 2004 by

GS 2004 Article 33 – CRCA re: The Free Reformed Churches of South Africa (FRCSA)

Committee 3 presented its proposal on the CRCA re: The Free Reformed Churches of South Africa (FRCSA).  After several rounds of discussion, the committee took back its proposal for modification. Synod took a short break.  Committee 3 again presented its proposal.  The following was adopted:

1.    Material

  • 1.1.        Report of the CRCA re: The Free Reformed Churches of South Africa (FRCSA)
  • 1.2.        Letter from the church at Grand Valley
  • 1.3.        Letter from the church at Lincoln

2. Admissibility

The report and letters are admissible.

3.    Observations

  • 3.1.   The report of the CRCA re: the FRCSA, which is included in the Acts, serves as Observations.
  • 3.2.   The CRCA recommends that Synod decide:
    • 3.2.1.     To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the Free Reformed Churches of South Africa under the adopted rules;
    • 3.2.2.     To recommend the FRCSA to the churches as worthy of financial assistance to aid them with their extensive mission work and labours among the concerned;
    • 3.2.3.     To invite the Board of Governors of our Theological College to seek ways and means to offer assistance to the FRCSA by the Canadian/American Reformed Churches for the Theological Training, such as extending academic support through guest lectures and the like by the faculty of our College in Hamilton, Ontario.
  • 3.3.   The churches at Grand Valley and Lincoln request synod to instruct the CRCA to investigate and report on the reason why the FRCSA have broken relations with our sister churches in Korea.

4.    Considerations

  • 4.1.   From the report it is evident that the CRCA fulfilled its mandate with regard to the FRCSA.
  • 4.2.   The FRCSA has many missionaries in the field. This is made possible through the generous support of some Dutch churches (GKN), while the Australian churches (FRCA) assist financially with the work among the concerned members in other church federations. The CRCA recommends that the Canadian Reformed Churches financially support the South African churches as well.
  • 4.3.   The FRCSA have their own Theological College which offers a well-rounded academic program. The CRCA recommends that the Board of Governors seek ways and means to offer assistance to the college of the FRCSA and so strengthen the bond between the two theological colleges.
  • 4.4.   The report of the CRCA does not give the reasons why the FRCSA revoked the relationship with the PCK. The churches at Grand Valley and Lincoln are correct that this information could be relevant for our relationship with the PCK.

5.    Recommendations

Synod decide:

  • 5.1.   To continue the relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship with the Free Reformed Churches of South Africa under the adopted rules.
  • 5.2.   To mandate the CRCA:
    • 5.2.1.     To recommend the FRCSA to the churches as worthy of financial assistance to aid them with their extensive mission work and in their labours among the concerned members in other church federations;
    • 5.2.2.     To invite the Board of Governors of our Theological College to seek ways and means to offer assistance to the FRCSA for theological training, such as extending academic support through guest lectures and the like by the faculty of our College in Hamilton, Ontario.
    • 5.2.3.     To request the reasons why the FRCSA have revoked sister church relations with our sister churches in Korea and report to the next Synod.
Print page