GS 2004 art 60

GS 2004 Article 60 – CPEU re: the Orthodox Christian Reformed Church (OCRC)

Committee 2 presented its proposal on the report of CPEU re: the Orthodox Christian Reformed Church (OCRC).  After a round of discussion, the following was adopted:

1.    Material

Report of the CPEU re: the Orthodox Christian Reformed Church (OCRC)

2.    Admissibility

The report is deemed admissible.

3.    Observations

  • 3.1.   The committee’s mandate from Synod Neerlandia was:
    • 3.1.1. To represent the Canadian Reformed Churches (when invited) at meetings of the OCRC, with a view to promoting greater understanding and exploring the possibility of federative unity;
    • 3.1.2. To develop a more concrete proposal toward establishing talks with the OCRC;
    • 3.1.3. To write a formal letter to the OCRC with a view to pursuing more official talks on the federative level;
    • 3.1.4. To make themselves available upon request of Canadian Reformed Churches for advice on local developments with the FRCNA and OCRC.
  • 3.2.   The committee reports no progress in the fulfillment of its mandate and in the contacts with the OCRC.
  • 3.3.   Br. F. Westrik attended the General Synod Cambridge 2001 of the OCRC.
  • 3.4.   A formal letter was sent to the OCRC with a view to pursuing more official talks on the federative level. Unfortunately, the correspondence documents have been lost.

4.    Consideration

Synod regrets that there is little progress toward establishing talks with the OCRC.

5.    Recommendation

Synod decide:

  • 5.1.   To thank the committee for its work re: the OCRC.
  • 5.2.   To give the committee the following mandate:
    • 5.2.1.To represent the Canadian Reformed Churches (when invited) at meetings of the OCRC, with a view to promoting greater understanding and exploring the possibility of federative unity;
    • 5.2.2.To develop a more concrete proposal toward establishing talks with the OCRC;
    • 5.2.3.To specifically address with the OCRC whether it shares the mutual desire for federative unity with the Canadian Reformed Churches;
    • 5.2.4.To make itself available upon request of Canadian Reformed Churches for advice on local developments.