24 Aug GS 2007 art 55

GS 2007 Article 55 – Appeal from Lincoln re five appeals by other churches to Synod Chatham

The advisory committee presented its proposal. After a round of discussion it was moved and seconded to delete the following:

Observation 2.3: Lincoln’s letter expresses a sense of alienation between the work and decisions of synod on the one hand with respect to interchurch relations, and the thoughts and cares in the local church on this topic on the other hand.

Consideration 3.4: Synods and deputies should work towards preventing or perhaps removing any alienation churches may perceive between themselves and the work of interchurch relations. Recommendation 4.2: To encourage deputies to find ways to bring the discussions beyond committee levels to the level of the local churches. The amendment carried.

Br. DeVries abstained from voting according to Art. 32 CO.

The amended proposal was adopted as follows:

1.      Material

• 1.1     Letter from Lincoln

2.      Observations

• 2.1     Lincoln “requests a reconsideration of appeals addressed to General Synod Chatham 2004 from the following churches: Attercliffe, Abbotsford, Grand Rapids, Owen Sound and Blue Bell.” Lincoln feels that the divergencies mentioned in these appeals “need to be dealt with since they remain in violation of our scriptural principles.”
• 2.2     Lincoln also states that “the process to affect positive change is flawed at Synod,” so that “Synods’ failure to give clear answers on these matters… contribute to a suppression of Reformed thinking.”

3.      Considerations

• 3.1     Though Lincoln requests reconsideration of appeals on grounds that “these divergencies need to be dealt with since they remain in violation of our scriptural principles,” Lincoln does not demonstrate how they violate the principles of Scripture.
• 3.2     In its consideration of our contacts with the OPC, Synod Chatham (Art. 88) said:
  • With a view to the concerns expressed by the churches, the following matters remain crucial and should receive priority in the discussions with the OPC:
    • 4.4.1     The two points of the joint agreement, namely, the supervision of the Lord’s Table and confessional membership, as amended by Synod Fergus 1998.
    • 4.4.2     The way in which the doctrine regarding covenant and church relate to these matters.
    • With this decision Synod Chatham has directed the deputies to work in the very direction Lincoln requests.
• 3.3     Though Lincoln states that the “process to affect positive change is flawed at Synod,” Lincoln does not demonstrate its case.

4.      Recommendation

Synod decide:

• 4.1     To deny Lincoln’s request to reconsider the five appeals.

ADOPTED

Br. DeVries abstained from voting according to Art. 32 CO.