GS 2016 Article 106 – RCK (Reformed Churches of Korea)

1. Material

  • 1.1    Report of Committee for Relations with Churches Abroad (CRCA) – section on the Reformed Churches of Korea (RCK) (8.2.1)
  • 1.2    Letters from the following CanRC: Flamborough (8.3.1.6) and Glanbrook-Trinity (8.3.1.4)

2. Observations

  • 2.1    From the CRCA report, the following:
    • 2.1.1    GS 2013 did not mandate the CRCA regarding the Reformed Churches of Korea (RCK), but implied that more information was needed concerning meetings between the RCK and the Kosin Presbyterian Church in Korea (KPCK).
    • 2.1.2    There was a meeting of the CRCA and the RCK delegation at the 2013 International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC) in Wales.
    • 2.1.3    The RCK were visited by the Rev. A. Souman and br. J. Vanderstoep in 2014.
    • 2.1.4    One of the RCK churches was suspended by the RCK classis in 2015, just prior to the completion of the CRCA report.
  • 2.2    Flamborough suggests that contact be limited to ICRC meetings only.
  • 2.3    Glanbrook-Trinity suggests to limit efforts and expenditures in exploring these contacts.
  • 2.4    The committee recommends:
    • 2.4.1     To mandate the CRCA to continue contact with the RCK, seeking to determine how the talks between them and the KPCK are progressing and to get a clearer picture of the state of the federation.

3. Considerations

  • 3.1    As there has been no official communication between the RCK and KPCK, as encouraged by the CanRC for the past six years, continuing this portion of the mandate seems futile.
  • 3.2    The RCK values our contact and continuing contact is feasible in the context of our relationship with the KPCK.

4. Recommendation

That Synod decide:

  • 4.1    To encourage the Committee for Relations with Churches Abroad (CRCA) to continue contact with the Reformed Churches in Korea (RCK) where possible.

ADOPTED