24 Jul GS 2013 art 155

Posted at 17:24h in CanRC, GS 2013 by

GS 2013 Article 155 – Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK)

Committee 3 presented a proposal on the KPCK. After some discussion, this was the result:

1.         Material:

Report from the CRCA (8.2.1), Supplementary Report from the CRCA (8.2.1.3) and letter from the church at Abbotsford (8.3.1.4)

2.         Observations:

  • 2.1.      Synod Burlington 2010 gave the committee the following mandate in regard to the KPCK (Acts, Article 105, Recommendation 4):
    • [4.1.]    To continue the relationship of ecclesiastical fellowship with the KPCK[1] under the adopted rules;
    • [4.2.]    To continue to discuss with the KPCK its relationship with the IRCK and the RCK with the goal of seeking further insight into these two federations;
    • [4.3.]    To continue to work cooperatively with the RCN and the FRCA in exercising our relationship with KPCK in meaningful ways, such as by regular communication, by visiting the General Assembly of the KPCK and by meeting and interacting with their delegates at the 2013 ICRC.
  • 2.2.      The CRCA reports that the Relationship of Ecclesiastical Fellowship according to the adopted rules was maintained with the KPCK. There were multiple contacts made with their Fraternal Relations Committee through Prof. Yoo. These communications included short reports of their annual General Assemblies.
  • 2.3.      The CRCA delegated the brother H. Leyenhorst and J. Vanderstoep to visit the churches in Korea and attend the General Assembly in September 2011. Brother Vanderstoep was not able to attend because of sudden illness. Brother Leyenhorst also met with a delegate from the Fraternal Relations Committee of the KPCK. A visit was made to one of the churches in Seoul with the opportunity to join in worship and Bible study.
  • 2.4.      The CRCA received reports from the RCN about their visit in 2009 and from the FRCA about their visit in 2010. These reports are consistent with the CRCA’s observations and have proven a positive way of maintaining regular contact and receiving information. The KPCK is appreciative of this arrangement and the regular visits and contact. Special mention was made at the GA of the positive influence of our relationship, since we were instrumental through encouragement in their decision “…to keep the Lord’s Table holy and to fence it from abuse.”
  • 2.5.      The KPCK has no official relations with the RCK or the IRCK, although there is some contact with the IRCK through their publishing house. The KPCK was encouraged to take up contact with these federations and to help us to know and understand them. They have promised to make contact with the RCK and to have discussions with them including items of mutual concern.
  • 2.6.      The 61st General Assembly of the KPCK formed a committee to seek union with the Presbyterian Church of Korea (Hap-shin). Abbotsford asks for (a) more information about the Hapshin churches and (b) the CRCA’s judgment on this development.

3.         Considerations:

  • 3.1.      The CRCA continues to have good contact with the KPCK by various means of communication.
  • 3.2.      The visit to Korea by the delegate, Br. H. Leyenhorst, appears to have been fruitful in terms of maintaining EF.
  • 3.3.      The Committee is pleased with reports from the RCN and the FRCA regarding their visits in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The Committee states that “these reports are consistent with our observations and have proven to be a positive way of communicating regular contact and receiving information.”
  • 3.4.      Although the KPCK has been encouraged to take up contact with the RCK, they have no official relations with the RCK or the IRCK.
  • 3.5.      Information about the Hapshin churches is not vital for the CanRC. If our Korean sister churches enter into EF with those churches we may need to know more about them.

4.         Recommendations:

That Synod decide:

  • 4.1.      To continue the relationship of EF with the KPCK under the adopted rules;
  • 4.2.      To mandate the CRCA:
    • 4.2.1.   To continue to discuss with the KPCK its relationship with the IRCK and the RCK, with the goal of seeking further insight into these two federations;
    • 4.2.2.   To continue to work cooperatively with the RCN and the FRCA in exercising our relationship with the KPCK in meaningful ways, such as by regular communication, by visiting the General Assembly of the KPCK and by meeting and interacting with their delegates at the 2013 ICRC.

ADOPTED

[1] Synod Burlington 2010 used the former acronym “PCK” but for the understanding of the reader of the present Acts, the acronym is revised according to the information received in the interim from the Kosin Presbyterian Church of Korea, hence KPCK.

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