GS 2013 Article 29 – Appeal of Mr. T. Kingma
1. Material:
Letter of appeal from Mr. T. Kingma (8.5.35)
2. Observation re: Admissibility:
- 2.1. Mr. Kingma appealed his deposition which took place in March 2003 and his excommunication from Lynden American Reformed Church to Synod Smithers 2007 (Article 19) and Synod Burlington 2010 (Article 57).
- 2.2. Synod Burlington judged that Mr. Kingma’s right of appeal pertains only to his excommunication. Mr. Kingma argues that this is unfair because it disallows an appeal against the reason for his excommunication.
- 2.3. The substance of Mr. Kingma’s appeal and what he regards as the reason for his excommunication is the decision of Synod Coaldale 1977 that the OPC is a true and faithful church.
3. Consideration:
Mr. Kingma has appealed the matter of his excommunication to two successive general synods – 2007 and 2010. As was the case in 2010, so also now, he does not present new grounds (contra Article 33 Church Order).
4. Recommendation:
That Synod decide that Mr. Kingma’s appeal is inadmissible.