GS 2016 Article 46 – FCS (Free Church of Scotland)
1. Material
- 1.1 Report of Committee for Relations with Churches Abroad (CRCA) – section Free Church of Scotland (FCS) (8.2.1)
- 1.2 Letters from the following CanRC: Abbotsford (8.3.1.1.13), Flamborough (8.3.1.6), Smithville (8.3.1.3)
2. Observations
- 2.1 GS 2013 (Art. 161) decided:
- [4.1] To continue the relationship of EF with the FCS under the adopted rules;
- [4.2] To mandate the CRCA:
- [4.2.1] To be available to assist the FCS and FCC in any efforts at reconciliation and reunion, should that be requested;
- [4.2.2] To continue personal contact with the FCS whenever that is feasible (e.g., at meetings of the ICRC, mutual presence at assemblies of sister-churches) and to leave it in the freedom of the CRCA to send delegates to their assemblies;
- [4.2.3] To encourage the congregations to seek out and strengthen ties with local FCS congregations in North America.
- 2.2 From the CRCA report, the following:
- 2.2.1 Communication was maintained with the FCS with electronic mail.
- 2.2.2 There is a congregation of the FCS in Livonia, Detroit, Michigan and there are six congregations in Prince Edward Island.
- 2.2.3 The CRCA reports that as far as it can judge, the FCS is a church federation which is faithful to the Word of God.
- 2.3 The committee recommends:
- 2.3.1 To continue the relationship of EF with the FCS under the adopted rules;
- 2.3.2 To mandate the CRCA:
- 2.3.2.1 To continue personal contact with the FCS whenever that is feasible (e.g., at meetings of the ICRC, mutual presence at assemblies of sister-churches) and to leave it in the freedom of the CRCA to send delegates to their assemblies.
- 2.3.2.2 To encourage the congregations to seek out and strengthen ties with local FCS congregations in North America.
- 2.4 Reactions from the churches:
- 2.4.1 Abbotsford wonders if the church relationship with the FCC and FCS can be meaningful if you do not visit within a three-year period;
- 2.4.2 Smithville requests to include a review of the annual reports of the Scottish Synods in the committee mandate.
3. Considerations
- 3.1 From the CRCA report it is evident that as far as they can judge, the FCS are faithful churches of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 3.2 EF should include review of the proceedings of the FCS General Assemblies, and, if possible, visits. It is regrettable that the report to this Synod does not give evidence that the proceedings were reviewed.
4. Recommendations
That Synod decide:
- 4.1 To continue Ecclesiastical Fellowship (EF) with the Free Church of Scotland (FCS) under the adopted rules;
- 4.2 To mandate the Committee for Relations with Churches Abroad (CRCA):
- 4.2.1 To continue personal contact with the FCS whenever that is feasible (e.g., at meetings of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC), mutual presence at assemblies of sister-churches) and to send a delegation to their assemblies at least once every three years.
- 4.2.2 To encourage the congregations to seek out and strengthen ties with local FCS congregations in North America.